San Mateo High Seeks Donations for Canned Food Drive

students are hoping to break their own previously set Guinness World Record by collecting food for those in need over the next few weeks.

From today through Dec. 5, the 1,400 students who attend San Mateo High School will volunteer their time to help raise money and food for San Mateo County’s low-income families, according to school officials.

The students are hoping to raise more than 300,000 cans of food, a feat they have accomplished more than once.

In 2005, students raised 372,000 pounds of food during their drive, which surpassed their previously set school record -- also a Guinness World Record set in 1999.

“The kids are amazing,” Sara Catalli, the Activities Director at San Mateo High School, said in a statement.

“Many spend long hours in front of grocery stores collecting food from shoppers. They collect literally tons of food in just two weeks with only two purposes: to help those in need, and to set a good example for other people in our community,” she said.

Community members who wish to donate may bring their canned food, non-perishable food items or monetary donations directly to San Mateo High School during school hours (7:45 am -3:15 pm) at 506 N. Delaware Street, San Mateo. Checks are tax-deductible and should be made out to “Samaritan House.”

After school-hours and on weekends, students will be collecting canned food and money at local supermarkets throughout the Peninsula from San Bruno to Palo Alto.

Donations can also be sent to the “Virtual Food Drive” at the Second Harvest Food Bank Website – donor type: school, school: San Mateo High School.

“Every holiday season, San Mateo High School focuses on a food drive for the sole purpose of feeding needy families in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties,” Sharon Petersen, Director of Program Operations at Samaritan House, said in a statement.

“The San Mateo High School Canned Food Drive is an extremely important part of our holiday food program. We distribute 400,000 pounds of food each holiday season, which includes more than 3,400 food boxes to families in need – much of which can be attributed to the students’ efforts,” she said.