The Cal U campus pitches in to donate food and clothing that will benefit students at California Elementary School.
Student Amanda Considine tosses a hat as she and fellow volunteers sort donated items of food and warm clothing that will be given to students at California Elementary School.
Members of Student Government and the Center for Volunteer Programs and Service Learning at Cal U sorted donations on Dec. 5 to benefit children at California Area Elementary School.
During a campus-wide drive during the traditional season of giving, the Cal U community donated non-perishable food items along with jackets, hats, gloves, scarves and mittens for children in kindergarten through fifth-grade.
The drive was organized by Student Government, with all items benefiting the university’s neighbors.
“A lot of offices and departments got involved this year,” said junior Seth Shiley, president of Student Government. “We’re glad that donations will be staying in our local community. I think this is a great charity for us.”
The donated food will be taken to California United Methodist Church, which coordinates Good Eats, a weekend feeding program throughout the school year for children at California Elementary whose families meet federal guidelines for free and reduced lunches.
The Center for Volunteer Programs and Service Learning, led by Director Diane Hasbrouck, sends Cal U students to help with the Good Eats program throughout the year.
The donated winter clothing will be taken directly to the elementary school for distribution.
Church volunteers Janet Woods, Karen Harris and Barb Turner came to the Natali Student Center on Dec. 5 to help sort the donations.
“We’re helping 85 students this year,” Harris said. Good Eats bags include 12 items per bag — kid-friendly items that students could prepare themselves, she said.
“We appreciate the Cal U students’ help with packing, loading and inventory,” Woods said. “Lots of hands make the work go faster.”
“We are so thankful for all the donations we receive,” she said, noting the regular contributions from other churches, businesses, organizations and community members.