MEXICO — A humanities class at the University College at Rumford/Mexico is conducting a food drive for Thanksgiving baskets.

Education senior Mark Gaudet of Rumford said Thursday that his Interventions for Families with Children class was given the chance to help the community and its people by bringing families together.

In September, the class began thinking of what they wanted to do and started working on it in October. Also helping are Patricia Thurston, Erika Milligan and Brianna Shaw.

“I’m the ‘idea guy,’ and these girls are the fine-tuners,” Gaudet said.

Their group was chosen to collect nonperishable food items such as cranberry sauce, canned vegetables, gravy, pie filling, pie crusts in tins, stuffing and potato mix.

They created newsletters and fliers, posters and a Facebook page to get the word out, and used their connections with area organizations to also help. Gaudet posted on the Facebook page that people donating items need to ensure they are not expired.

They are also accepting money, which can be taken to any Franklin Savings Bank in Maine. Donations can also be brought to the back entrances of the Mexico and Rumford fire stations or they can call Gaudet at 357-9674.

He said the food baskets will be given to families at Chisholm Early Learning Center and to community members.

Gaudet said the collection ends Tuesday, Nov. 19, because they have to turn in their assignment paperwork before Thanksgiving.

Although community support has been great, he said, the group is still looking for assistance “to finish up a good school project.”

“We’ve received donations from the American Legion Auxiliary and the Legion itself and the Rumford firefighters association,” Gaudet said. “A lot of individuals have donated, so it’s been pretty nice.”

tkarkos@sunjournal.com