Northside, UCAN partner on Valentine's fundraiser

By BARBARA ANN HORTON

Staff Writer

The Northside Nutrition Center and the United Cancer Assistance Network are putting fun into their joint Valentine’s Day fundraiser.

They are preparing and selling chocolate covered strawberries for $18 a dozen.

UCAN will use its money to help finance transportation for cancer patients. Northside Nutrition Center’s money will go to expand its storage area.

“We drive 80,000 miles a year at no cost to the patient,” UCAN Executive Director Melody Chailland said. “We don’t charge a fee.”

Chailland explained her board of directors have had the Valentine’s Day fundraiser in the works for a couple of years and they decided to partner with the nutrition center.

Anytime UCAN asks Northside Nutrition Center staff for help, they go above and beyond, Chailland said. Plus both organizations have the ability to make deliveries and Northside has the facilities to prepare the berries.

Tammy Cassinger, director of the Northside Nutrition Center, plans to use the center’s profits to upgrade its storage facilities and to improve accessibility for pallets, which helps with buying larger quantities of canned food.

Buying large cans of food will save money, Cassinger said. Recently, she was able to save $1,200 buying No. 10 size cans, but they have to be hand removed from the pallets.

“I am limited to how much I can take because I have no place to store them,” Cassinger said.

Chailland and Cassinger agree chocolate dipped strawberries will brighten everyone’s holiday. A dozen strawberries will cost $18, if you pick them up. There will be a $2 delivery fee in Poplar Bluff.

The strawberries may be dipped in milk, dark or white chocolate, or mixed.

To place an order, go to UCANfundraiser.org, the UCAN Facebook page or call 573 776-1892. Payments may be made with a credit card, debit card, Paypal, cash or check. Order forms may also be emailed UCAN, ucan@semo.net.

Cassinger said, orders can also be placed by calling the nutrition center at 573 686-2074 or coming by.

Early orders are greatly appreciated, but the deadline to order is Feb. 13. Strawberries may be picked up between 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Northside Nutrition Center, 506 Hazel St.