SCC school’s giving tree provides holiday help

The Christmas tree shining with lights and red and green ornaments in St. Croix Central Elementary School’s lobby is not just for decoration, nor does it have your typical presents underneath it.

The tree is the school’s “Giving Tree,” a part of the annual “Giving Tree” campaign put on by the school to collect non-perishable items for the Roberts Food Pantry and families that request help.

Alyssa Matzek, SCCES counselor, is in charge of coordinating the “Giving Tree” campaign.

“I think it’s important to give back to our community in a way that helps support our students and families,” Matzek said.

She said about five families have contacted her asking for help from the “Giving Tree” so far this season. Most of the food, she said, will go to the Roberts Food Pantry.

Matzek said each grade level is being asked to bring in certain types of items to donate. Early childhood, kindergarten and first grade students were asked to bring in canned goods, second-graders were asked to bring in personal hygiene items, third-graders were asked to bring in boxed food items and fourth-graders were asked to bring in paper products like Kleenex and toilet paper, as well as cleaning supplies like laundry soap or dish soap.

Matzek said volunteers will deliver the items to the Roberts Food Pantry the week of Dec. 10.

Tags: st. croix central, communities, hammond, roberts, lifestyle, food, food, education