By Khalida Sarwari
The city of Saratoga is once again hosting a food and toy drive.
The drive kicked off on Nov. 3 as part of the city’s annual effort to help families in need during the holiday season. Last year, the city collected 1,768 pounds of food, 300 pounds more than the previous year.
“The city was recognized by Second Harvest for its efforts this past year, earning a Blue Diamond award, which is given to groups that collect more than 1,600 pounds of food,” said Lynette Elliott, a city staff member who started the food drive component in 2007 shortly after coming on board the recreation and facilities department. “It’s the highest honor the city has received from Second Harvest.”
The most needed items include canned tuna, peanut butter, baked beans, canned nuts, powdered milk, 100 percent juice in boxes or cans and canned vegetables and fruits. Other requested food items are boxed pasta, rice, cereal and canned soups and stews.
The city is accepting new and unwrapped toy donations through Dec. 17 and food donations through Dec. 19. Specially marked collection containers will be placed at locations throughout the city.
After the items are collected, they’ll be sorted and donated–the food to the Second Harvest Food Bank and the toys to the Sacred Heart Community Service, which provides toys to about 5,000 children who participate in its programs. The organization is requesting nonviolent toys for infants up to teenagers. This year, Sacred Heart’s goal is to provide 16,500 toys, bicycles and books to children in need.
Deputy city clerk Debbie Bretschneider is credited with coming up with the idea for a community toy drive in 2008, not long after she joined the city manager’s office. The toy drive began with city employee donations, but expanded in 2010 to include community contributions.
“Each year, more of the Saratoga community has been contributing toys and soon we’ll need a bigger truck to take everything to Sacred Heart,” Bretschneider said. “I’m always happy to see the smiling faces of Sacred Heart’s volunteers when we show up with all the toys.”
Both food and toys can be dropped off at the Joan Pisani Community Center or the city manager’s office. Additional drop-off locations for food include the Saratoga Library and Saratoga Senior Center. Toys will also be accepted at the Saratoga Historical Museum.
“Saratoga is a caring community that is generous and charitable,” said Mayor Emily Lo. “We ask the community to help us continue this wonderful tradition of giving by donating to our food and toy drive.”
Link: It’s time again for annual holiday food and toy drives in Saratoga
