Florida Good

What if we could take the excess food from sorority and fraternity house dinners, package it up, and feed people in need? That’s the question the winning team of University of Florida’s first annual Small Idea Competition asked at the Nov. 13 weekend event. Their answer? We can. In a …

Rood Emmanuel, a UF psychology sophomore, is using his personal struggles to help others. He founded Igniting Dreams, a nonprofit organization that provides mentorship and scholarships to students in Gainesville and Palm Beach County. The organization will award its first scholarship to a student in Palm Beach County this year.

For the fifth year in a row, Florida received funding from the USDA to promote better access to veterinary treatment in rural areas, which are currently underserved by veterinarians. But this is the first time the money has gone to a veterinarian serving North Central Florida, an area in need of more large-animal vets.

The UF Department of Agricultural and Life Sciences paired up with Gator Wesley and the Collegiate Farm Bureau to bag meals for Stop Hunger Now. A November 19 event packaged 15,120 meals with the help of 176 volunteers.

A Palatka man will reveal his Riverfront fountain project during the annual Christmas parade in Palatka on Black Friday. The project cost $30,000, and has received supplies and $2,500 in donations. The fountain serves as a memorial to veterans in the town and has been out of service for the past few years.

A UF report shows that consumer sentiments have dropped across the state. However, Gainesville locals have shown more positive sentiments in light of the upcoming holiday season.

While UF Campaign for Charities raises money year-round, its general campaign began on campus in October with fundraising events scheduled throughout the month.

The University of Florida's Field and Fork Food Pantry is facing food shortages only 34 business days after its opening. The number of visits has been higher than initially expected.

Joe Catalano hosted the second Cedar Key Pirate Invasion on Thursday to raise money and collect food donations to the Cedar Key Food Pantry and to increase the tourist season in the area from four months to six months. The invasion raised $700 and 300 pounds of canned food for the pantry.

Trinity United Methodist Church hosted its annual festival, “The Great Pumpkin Harvest” on Sunday, October 25. The church's youth ministry team, the Trinity Yoots, organized the event for kids to explore the pumpkin patch and practice their trick-or-treating for Halloween.