By Sun Contributor

Harley Madden

news@evesun.com

NEW BERLIN – The Unadilla Valley Central School is hosting its annual food drive.

According to organizers, the Unadilla Valley students from pre-K to 6th grade were assigned a type of non-perishable food to donate. Pre-K students are asked to bring in canned fruit, Kindergartners canned soup, first graders canned vegetables, second and third graders pasta, fourth and fifth graders sauce in plastic jars, and sixth graders peanut butter.

After the drive is completed on December 2, the donated food will be put into basket’s that are distributed as part of the school’s Project Santa Program.

Project Santa involves food donations and gifts to be donated to UV families in need.

Project Santa is a way of helping local families in need while still keeping the spirit of Christmas unaltered for their children. Families can be sign up for the program, or learn about their options if a staff member nominates them to get help from the program. .

After the families are selected based on level of need and UV staff make donations and wrap gifts for the children of those families.

These gifts, as well as a food basket, are given to the families before Christmas so they have time to prepare for the holiday.

This year, the program reached out to Walmart, BJ’s, and Hannaford in Oneonta, as well as Grand Union and Price Chopper in Norwich for donations.

Community members are welcome to donate non-perishable food items as well, either by sending them with their children or dropping them at the UV elementary office. For more information call (607) 847-7500.