The event was originally organized thanks to a partnership with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. Topaz Elementary School is one of 10 schools in Orange County selected to be part of a grant that is aimed at alleviating child hunger in America. After a competitive application process with over 50 applicants, the Second Harvest Food Bank selected Topaz Elementary, where 95 percent of the school’s 600+ students qualify for free or reduced lunch meals. The National Lunch Program is a strong indicator of need since children who qualify are from families with incomes living at or below the poverty level, sometimes by as much as 130 percent below the poverty level.
Families selected from various fresh produce including oranges, apples, potatoes, peppers, onions, yams and more. An estimated 200 families were in attendance.
In addition, families selected from 200 pairs of shoes donated by Tom’s Shoes, a charitable shoe company that has worked in partnership with the district’s McKinney Vento program, a program that assists students who are homeless or living in transitional living situations.
Students at the event also took home children’s books donated by community members.
Building educational, business and community partners is one of the initiatives in the district’s five-year strategic plan, called the PYLUSD Advantage.
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Families selected from various fresh produce including oranges, apples, potatoes, peppers, onions, yams and more. An estimated 200 families were in attendance.
In addition, families selected from 200 pairs of shoes donated by Tom’s Shoes, a charitable shoe company that has worked in partnership with the district’s McKinney Vento program, a program that assists students who are homeless or living in transitional living situations.
Students at the event also took home children’s books donated by community members.
Building educational, business and community partners is one of the initiatives in the district’s five-year strategic plan, called the PYLUSD Advantage.
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