Featured Story

Seminole State, Harvest Time partner to give aid

Friday, Nov 9, 2012
Jay Davis

• Location: 225 N. Kennel Road, Sanford, FL 32771
• Phone: 407.878.5531
• Hours: Tuesday - Saturday,
  9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Seminole State College students, faculty and staff who are experiencing financial difficulties now have access to enhanced assistance through a new partnership with Harvest Time International (HTI).

Seminole State will partner with Harvest Time, a nonprofit based in Sanford, to provide help for those in need of food, clothing or furniture. The College also will assist HTI through targeted volunteer efforts for students and employees, and a new student advisory board.

To avoid duplication of services, the College’s food pantry closed on Thursday, Nov. 1. However, a limited supply of food donations is being kept on hand at each campus for emergency purposes only.

The College began exploring alternatives to the food pantry earlier this year due to space concerns. After several visits and conversations with HTI, it became clear that students and employees would receive greater, enhanced support through a partnership.

Through this partnership, those in need will receive wider food selections as well as clothes and furniture. In addition, uninsured students are eligible to apply for free medical and dental care, and HTI caseworkers can help students with their AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) and Medicaid applications.

During the week of Nov. 12, representatives from HTI will be at Seminole State to share information about their services and volunteer opportunities.

• Oviedo Campus: Tuesday, Nov. 13, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Student Center. A caseworker will be in OVF-102J.
• Sanford/Lake Mary Campus: Wednesday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Partnership Center Atrium, caseworker will be in UP-4001.
• Altamonte Springs Campus: Thursday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., first floor atrium, caseworker will be in ALT-344.

Students, faculty and staff are also urged to continue to support those in need with cash donations. Financial contributions will be used to purchase vouchers, gas cards and bus passes for students to travel to HTI. Your donations of nonperishables will be taken to HTI and converted into vouchers that the College can distribute.

Students or employees will request a voucher for assistance through representatives on any campus. It is the College’s intention to maintain users’ anonymity. No one will know that help has been requested other than the individual who provides the voucher. HTI will not track participants via student or employee ID numbers. HTI will track only the total number of quarterly Seminole State users.

Those in need can request vouchers through the following individuals:

• Altamonte Springs Campus: Elyse Jacobs, 407.404.6005 or ALT-107 (Site Coordinator)
• Oviedo Campus: Molly Dykes, 407.971.5011 or OVF-102K (Site Coordinator)
• Heathrow Campus: Mercedes Bermejo, 407.708.4405 or HEA-122 (Site Coordinator)
• Sanford/Lake Mary Campus:
  
  • Dr. Yolanda Williams:  407.708.2703 or L-209A (Site Coordinator)
  • Kari Jennings:  407.708.2340 or L-203E
  • Janay Smiley:  407.708.2340 or L-203E
  • Building L: Front Desk
  • Academic Advising and Counseling Office: Debbie Lynch, 407.708.2147 or A-107K
  • Financial Aid Office: Tamika Bivens, 407.708.2268 or A-106F