Heights Foundation Seeks Donations for Thanksgiving Outreach

Fort Myers, FL, November 10, 2012 --(PR.com)-- The Heights Foundation is seeking organizations and individuals to participate in the Bountiful Blessings Thanksgiving Food Basket outreach. Since 1999, the program has helped families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood make a traditional Thanksgiving meal to share with their families. In 2011, partner agencies, businesses, philanthropic organizations and more than 100 volunteers provided turkey dinners with all of the fixings to 250 families. This year the Foundation hopes to assist nearly 400 families.

“The Heights Foundation works to build strong, self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood. We can only do this because of the generous support of our neighbors who contribute their time and money to support our mission,” said Julie Workman, Director of Programs and Community Relations for the Heights Foundation. “Donations of food or Publix gift cards will help families in our community. Volunteers are also needed for our donation drop off day and outreach event.”

Donations can be dropped off on Thursday afternoon, November 16. The outreach event will be held on Sunday, November 18.

Organizations and individuals interested in participating can contact Julie Workman at (239) 482-7706 or Julie@heightsfoundation.org. All donations are tax deductible. Monetary donations can be made on the web at www.heightsfoundation.org/bountiful-blessings.

About the Heights Foundation and the Heights Center

The Heights Center, supported by the Heights Foundation, is a place for Education, Opportunity, and Enrichment. We work to build strong, self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood. As a 501(c)3 grassroots organization, the Center’s mission is to promote family and community development, support education, health and wellness, and provide the benefits of enrichment, expressive and cultural arts. The Heights Center is under construction and will be completed this December.

Harlem Heights was originally settled as a rural agricultural community. Approximately 1,200 children live in a mixture of single-family homes and multi-family apartments. Demographically, the population is approximately 55% Hispanic, 36% African-American, and 9% Caucasian. The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average, with family income 40% below the county average. Families are not able to easily access family support services located in downtown Fort Myers, and benefit greatly from programs located within the neighborhood.