Occurring annually, Cheers for Children is a coordinated food drive effort that provides assistance to needy families in the Ventura Unified School District. In its 64 years, this program has already reached out to nearly 350 families in need during the holiday season, and provides additional assistance and resources throughout the year.

All Ventura Unified schools are participating in this event, and in order to supply nutritious food to all families, the district has assigned a food item for donation to every school site. Foothill has been assigned to donate any type of dried mixes.

From Dec. 1 to Dec. 15, Foothill will accept donations of foods such as dried bread, muffin or cake mixes, etc.

Each class has been assigned a location for dropping off donations:

• Freshmen – D 104 (Connie Carr)
• Sophomores – E107 (Michelle Hillberry)
• Juniors – I106 (Claire Adams)
• Seniors – D108 (Melanie “Captain” Lindsey)

Students are invited to help sort and box all the donated items on Dec. 16 at Balboa Middle School from 3-6 p.m. The school district will then distribute the donated items to families in need on Christmas Eve. Volunteers wishing to help distribute the boxes should arrive before 8 a.m. on Dec. 24 to claim a box and an address.

This year, Foothill aims to collect at least 1,000 items, and the winning grade will receive a celebration with a hot chocolate bar on Dec. 16.

Brianna Corbett ‘19, the Associate Student Body (ASB) representative who is in charge of the food drive, states that this campaign “creates a positive atmosphere at Foothill and in the community.”

“It’s really special for students and staff to see their donations make a difference in the local community,” Corbett continued. “Seeing the impact on the families that we’re supporting is awesome.”