UMES ensures hundreds of families enjoy Thanksgiving

For University of Maryland Eastern Shore employee Clifton Harcum, all the thanks he needs is in the giving. Over the past seven years, he’s helped give thousands of families the thanksgiving they want, but might not be able to afford by giving away food to families in need.

Harcum started doing Thanksgiving food drives with his best friend in 2008. The motivation in part he said, comes from his own personal experience.

“I know what it’s like to, you know, try to figure out where the money’s going to come from to take care of your family,” Harcum said. “I’m just blessed to be in a position to be able to do this for individuals. It’s amazing.”

Harcum doesn’t work alone, the Maryland Food Bank gives him food to donate. After that, it’s up to Harcum’s group of community and student volunteers to package it in boxes.

Saturday, they helped feed over 300 families in Wicomico and Somerset counties.

Harcum said none of that would be possible without the effort by UMES students.

“We’ve had over 100 students volunteer. We prepped yesterday and this morning we had probably over 100 people here since seven this morning,” Harcum said.

UMES alumnus Andre Webb first started helping Harcum as a student.

Now five years later, he says it’s the feeling of helping that brings him back.

“To see that expression on their face, you know, thank you and wow you guys have helped me so much. It’s the littlest things that count, so that’s exactly why I come back every year and help out,” Webb said.

Harcum said he’s extremely proud that students continue to come out and help.
The students say, helping out is just the UMES way.

“It’s important because you always have to put service before yourself, its not always about you,” said UMES student Ashelle Henry. “It’s good to give back to your community because somebody had to pave the way for you, so we need to learn as college students to pave the way for other people.”