Hundreds of families will have a better chance at having a happy holiday season thanks to the generosity of Lathrop elementary school students and their families. 

Last week students from River Islands Technology Academy, Mossdale Elementary, Joseph Widmer Elementary and Lathrop Elementary participated in Lathrop Police Services’ annual “Stuff the Bus” event to raise money for the Second Harvest Food Bank and help boost supplies in the lead-up to the busy holiday season.

By the time the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office Mobile Command Center bus left Lathrop to donate the food to the facility in Manteca, almost three tons of non-perishable food items had been collected. 

“We are truly grateful for the students, their families, and faculty members for stepping up and giving back to the community,” Lathrop Police Services said in a statement. “We are truly stronger when we work together.”

The effort was part of a larger community outreach effort that aims to help families that are less fortunate during the holiday season by providing complete meals during the holiday season – when demand at organizations like the Second Harvest Food Bank is typically at its peak. 

The 5,861 pounds of food that was collected was transported to Manteca at the end of the route. 

According to the briefing notes, the effort was a collaborative one between the community, the students and families at Lathrop’s elementary school sites, faculty and staff members at the sites, and more than a half-dozen representatives from the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office. 

To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.