Granite Education Foundation Provides Santa Sacks to Students in Need

By Aimee L. Cook | [email protected]

West Valley - For the past six years, the folks at the Granite Education Foundation have assembled and distributed thousands of Santa Sacks to students in the Granite School District in need. Each year, over 2,000 are given out to students who are identified by a school administrator or school social worker. 

“Santa Sacks include basic items such as warm winter apparel, fleece blanket, personal toiletry items, a new book, new school supplies, an educational game and a new toy,” Brent Severe, CEO of Granite Education Foundation, said. “Items are donated by large corporations and area businesses. Some items are purchased through funds that are raised by the foundation through fundraising means.”

The Granite Education Foundation serves more than 67,000 students. Of those, 65 percent are classified as being at or below poverty level standards, thus creating a large demand for basic needs for students in the district.

“If individuals and or businesses would like to participate in the 2016 Santa Sack program, the foundation gathers and accepts needed items throughout the year,” Severe said. “Many businesses do charitable toy drives, sock drives, etc. Monetary donations are accepted as well and can be 100 percent tax deductible.”