An annual Hauser tradition is the holiday food drive, and this year marks our 39th year of collecting food. Hauser has been the number one collector of food for the Salvation Army in Illinois. During the past 38 years our students have collected 1,365,916 cans and boxes of food. Last year we donated over 70,000 food items. Students are asked to collect food and bring it to school. Any student who collects over 200 cans/boxes gets to help set up the food display after school. For parents who have never seen the display of food collected, it’s a sight not to be missed!

Hauser has earned a tremendous reputation for its generosity. We all know that our current economy has taken a toll on families, businesses and philanthropic organizations. Food pantries are reporting a reduction in donations and personnel. These organizations have also seen a dramatic increase in the number of people who need assistance and the cost of food has been rising over the years. The Salvation Army is counting on Hauser, once again, to fill the shelves of its food pantries.

In addition to the items the students collect and bring in, each year we begin our Annual Food Drive with a shopping day at Ultra Foods. Ultra Foods has been a wonderful partner with Hauser to make our collections a huge success. How can you help? Please make your generous cash and/or check donations (checks payable to Riverside Public Schools) so that we can meet our initial amount due for this first delivery date. This sizable amount needs to be collected by Friday, December 4.

We thank you, the families of Riverside, North Riverside, Brookfield and Lyons in advance for your continued support of one of Hauser’s oldest traditions. If you have any questions about the drive, please call us at 447-3896 or e-mail to:

Ms. Blondin at blondinr@district96.org
Ms. Brabec at brabecj@district96.org
Ms. Kempe at kempek@district96.org