Ray of Hope of San Joaquin County is in need of replenishing its food pantry.

“Our Kids Cupboard is at its lowest amount of food that we’ve ever had — summer hits us hard due to no school lunches and snacks,” according to this week’s social media post by the non-profit Children’s Crisis Services.

Besides food, Ray of Hope is also accepting Gatorade, water, juice, sunscreen, and any liquid hydration drinks for Operation Hydration during this latest heat wave.

Donations can be dropped off on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Manteca office located at 113 W. Yosemite Ave.

Backpack / school supply drive

The Ray of Hope Student Success School Supply drive will soon be concluding.

The annual collection of back-to-school items benefiting those in Children’s Crisis Services will run through July 31.

“We are collecting back backpacks and school supplies as well as teen and school aged clothing at Hope’s Closet,” Ray of Hope Executive Director Laura Saunders recently said.

Hope’s Closet is the Ray of Hope store that offers affordable and quality goods in a retail setting.

The shop located at 1030 W. Yosemite Ave. is open to the public with proceeds benefiting the local non-profit agency.

Ray of Hope is encouraging business folks, church, family, friends and other such groups to help with the Student Success School Supply drive.

The other is a new donation spin for Ray of Hope is the one similar to that of the Christmas Guardian Angel Program.

Rather than wish-list scrolls, those looking to participate can pick up a clothing ticket from Ray of Hope with a child’s clothing needs for school. The clothing ticket can be obtained via email at GivingHope@rayofhopechildrensservices.org.