California Elementary PTO to host back-to-back food drives

California Elementary School's PTO is hosting back-to-back food drives, one this weekend and the other during the next school week, to help families in the community this holiday season.

From 6 p.m. Friday through 7 a.m. Monday the CES PTO and Apple Bus Company will partner to kick off the PTO's annual canned food drive via the "Pack the Bus" program. Apple Bus Company will park a bus in the parking lot outside the elementary school for parents, students and patrons to bring canned goods or other non-perishable items to donate.

The second drive kicks off the same day Pack the Bus comes to a close, running from Dec. 7-11 and involving CES students more directly. Each day of the school week will be a themed spirit day, encouraging student involvement, and will ask for different types of donations matching the theme for each day.

The theme days for the week are as follow:

  • Monday is "Long Winter's Nap" day. Students may wear pajamas to school and are asked to bring breakfast food donations.
  • Tuesday is "Hat Day." For $1, students can wear a hat to school, with all funds raised helping to purchase additional food items for donation.
  • Wednesday is "Wintry Wednesday." Students are asked to wear their warmest winter sweaters and bring donations for their favorite cold weather soups.
  • Thursday is "Pack the Pinto Pantry" day. Students are asked to wear Pintos gear and bring foods to donate with red and blue packaging.
  • Friday is "Friendship Friday." Students are asked to dress like a friend and bring their favorite snacks they enjoy sharing with friends to donate.