Community
Local Schools Participate in Food Drives to Help Those in Need
Local schools in the Redding area are holding food drives to help those in need, while a growing school based food pantry network provides additional assistance to thousands of Shasta County children and families.
Schools across the Redding area are stepping up to help those in need as local food drives get underway heading into the holiday season.
Students, families and school staff are being given opportunities to donate food that will ultimately make its way back into the local community.
At Enterprise High School in Redding, the school is holding its annual food drive in partnership with the Western Service Workers Association, commonly known as WSWA.
Enterprise High School recently sent a message to families announcing that it is collecting nonperishable food for the organization's food bank. Collection receptacles have been placed in the main hallways at the school for students and families who would like to contribute.
WSWA has served low income workers and families in Shasta County since 1977. The volunteer run organization works with service workers, caregivers, part time and temporary workers and others while providing programs intended to help families meet immediate needs.
Enterprise High School is located at 3411 Churn Creek Road in Redding.
The effort isn't limited to Enterprise.
Manzanita Elementary School in Redding has also launched a canned food drive. The school's calendar lists the beginning of its drive on October 19th.
Bethel Christian School is participating in seasonal giving as well. The school encourages families to donate food during November as part of its Rescue Mission canned food drive.
While the individual food drives may benefit different organizations, they share a common goal: getting food into the hands of people who need it.
The need for food assistance among local families extends beyond the holiday season.
The Shasta County Office of Education operates a School Based Food Pantry Program in partnership with the Dignity Health Connected Living Food Bank. The program began during the 2022 to 2023 school year with 10 locations and has since expanded to 52 sites across 21 school districts.
According to the Shasta County Office of Education, the program served nearly 2,200 households and approximately 4,100 children last year.
Those numbers show how significant the need can be, but they also show how schools throughout Shasta County have become an important part of getting assistance directly into local communities.
For students, a can or box of food placed into a collection bin may seem like a small contribution. When an entire school community gets involved, those individual donations can quickly add up.
As more North State schools announce food drives this holiday season, I will continue watching for additional opportunities for families and community members to help those in need.