Helping Our Community: SANTA Project and KIWANIS FOOD DRIVE

                                                    

At Veneta Elementary School the holiday season is a time of sharing and caring as we work to support two very important causes in our community- the Kiwanis Canned Food Drive and the S.A.N.T.A. Project

Veneta Elementary students will be participating in the annual Kiwanis Canned Food Drive. Students can bring in canned food and nonperishable food items from now through December 16th.  The food will be distributed to local families in need. The class that brings in the most food by weight will win a prize. Over the last five years, in order to continue the spirit of giving classes have donated their prize to local charities like Greenhill Humane Society and Mid-Lane Cares.

In addition to the Kiwanis Food Drive, this year we are also holding a toy drive for the SANTA (Sharing Among Neighbors Toy Appeal)Project. The S.A.N.T.A. Project started here in Veneta in 1992 when community volunteers added toys and books to food boxes given to local families. Today SANTA distributes toys, books, stuffed animals, stocking stuffers, clothing, and personal care items to any family residing in the Fern Ridge or CAL School District. Dozens of volunteers work behind the scenes and during the giveaway to ensure that families in need share in the joy of the holidays.

Veneta students can help out by bringing in new or very gently used toys to the school collection box. In addition to toys, the SANTA project is also looking for small items like coloring books or yo-yos or other small toys that can be used as stocking stuffers.

Having your child help you pick out canned food from the pantry to donate to the Kiwanis Food Drive or pick out a toy from the store to donate to the Santa Project helps teach children that the holidays are just as much about caring and giving, not just getting. 🙂

The SANTA Project will be holding their annual giveaway on Saturday, December 19th here at Veneta Elementary School from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Families must bring proof of residency and proof of the number of children living in the home who are younger than 17. This could be birth certificates, medical cards, social security cards, or school report cards. Proof of residency may be a driver’s license or current bill with date, name, and home address.