Everyone at McClatchy has heard of the Kids Can Food Drive, but do you know exactly the weight of its significance? The KCRA 3 Kids Can Food Drive has been conducted for over 20 years now. People donate canned and nonperishable foods that go to struggling families. Canned foods can be dropped off at schools, food banks, and other approved donating locations. Once the canned food is collected it is distributed to food banks across Sacramento and to those in need of food. The food goes mainly to families, but single individuals get help, too. At McClatchy, students participate by filling boxes in every class and the main hall with nonperishable items from October 12 to November 13 every year.
KCRA asks people to bring healthy, unopened, and unbreakable, packaged food with the expiration date on the package. They request canned meats, canned vegetables, pasta, sauce, beans, rice, healthy cereals, peanut butter, and baby food.
KCRA 3 works with the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services to put on a collection of food for those in need. All over Sacramento, people come together to help other people who need support, especially during the holidays when food is so abundant for some. McClatchy High School joins in on the giving and contributes a good chunk to the program.
Jada Paddock, a senior, currently directs the drive at McClatchy and before her, various students would carry the program. She says each year the students collect around 20 to 30 boxes of canned and nonperishable foods. She explains why the drive is perfect for McClatchy and a great cause, “It’s a simple way for people at our school to help out. Most students are so busy they don’t have a lot of time for contributing to a cause but, a lot of people have cans just sitting around the house that they can give. It’s an easy way and a lot of help to someone who needs it.”