San Mateo High School Students Conduct Massive Holiday Food Drive

This year San Mateo High School, as part of the Jefferson Public Service Awards “Youth Service Challenge”, will be conducting their annual holiday food drive from November 14th through December 1st, 2014 to benefit Samaritan House in San Mateo and Second Harvest Food Bank. The students’ goal this year will be to collect over 250,000 pounds and continue their tradition of being one of the largest food drives in the country.

In 2005, San Mateo High School students collected 372,000 pounds of food during its canned food drive, which set a new school record and surpassed the school’s previous Guinness World Record set in 1999.

“The kids are amazing,” says Sara Catalli, Leadership Teacher and Activities Director at San Mateo High School. “Many spend long hours in front of grocery stores collecting food from shoppers. They collect literally tons of food in just two weeks with two purposes: to help those in need and to set a good example for others in our community.”

“The annual San Mateo High School Food Drive is an extraordinary effort by students to raise money and collect food. The SMHS Bearcat spirit is legendary, and we are thrilled that each year students focus their legendary spirit and energy on this community effort. Samaritan House is extremely grateful for all the planning, dedication, and organization of the students every year!” says Patty Hsiu, Member of the Board of Directors for the Samaritan House.

Community members who wish to donate may bring their canned food or monetary donations directly to San Mateo High School, located at 506 N. Delaware Street, San Mateo, weekdays from 7:45 am -3:15 pm. Monetary donations are tax-deductible and checks should be made out to “Samaritan House.” Donations can also be made through the “Virtual Food Drive” at the Second Harvest Website – by way of the schools food drive website: smhscfd.com

After-school hours and weekends, students will be collecting donations at local supermarkets throughout the Peninsula from San Bruno to San Carlos. For more information about ways to donate in-person or online, contact San Mateo High School’s Community Service Commissioners at smhs.communityservice@gmail.com.