ASCC holds annual food, toy drive

It is a long-standing holiday tradition for the Citrus College community to find a way of helping those in need by donating food and toys for the annual Food and Toy Drive put on by the Associated Students of Citrus College.

Unfortunately, throughout the year, many people are unable to afford basic necessities, much less gifts during the holidays.

But thanks to the efforts of ASCC, people in need will be helped again this year through the Food and Toy Drive that runs now through Thursday, Dec. 10.

“It is a really great feeling when you know that you are helping those less fortunate,” ASCC President Karlyn Bradly said.

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to contribute nonperishable food and unwrapped toys, which can be dropped off to any of the decorated Food and Toy Drive boxes located throughout campus.

Some box locations include the Administration Building’s lobby, the cosmetology salon, Learning Resource Center, math lab, and in the Hayden Memorial Library.

All the donations will be delivered to local agencies, including YWCA-WINGS (Women in Need Growing Strong), which is program that provides services to domestic violence victims, and the Foothill Unity Center, a non-profit organization that delivers food to families in need.

The college’s goal is to collect 5,000 cans of food or toys, student trustee Karine Ponce said.

“There are 20,000 people in this school,” Ponce said. “If every person donates at least one can or toy, that would be more than enough.”

For disadvantaged families throughout Southern California, food and toy drives like Citrus’ can have quite an impact.

“One can from somebody can make a difference to someone else,” Bradly said.