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EU Kiwins raise $3,000 to feed needy families
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The East Union High Kiwins along with the Manteca Kiwanis Club and Raley’s met Friday for the donation benefiting the Food For Families program. - photo by VINCE REMBULAT / The Bulletin

Boba is a sweet drink that combines milk, flavored tea and tapioca pearls.

It was also a best-selling refreshment sold at the East Union High’s Kiwins during football games played the past year at Dino Cunial Field.

The local service organization of the Kiwanis Club International family – or a sibling of Key Club – made batches of Boba tea for the fundraiser benefitting Raley’s Food for Families program.

“We doubled last year’s donation,” said Kiwins advisor Khalil Abou-Hamad.

All told, the Kiwins raised $3,000, which will be matched by Raley’s under the Food for Families program servicing those struggling to make ends meet in Manteca.

The final tally came up to nearly $18,000, according to Raley’s Team Leader Adam Forrest.

He also credited clerk Sammy Jermanon for selling the most bags for the program. She sold over 280 thus far and was on pace to sell about 300 for Food for Families.

Thanks to the EU Kiwins donation, Raley’s more than tripled that amount for the local food bank in providing bags of grocery containing 26 nutritious meals to families enduring tough times in Manteca.

The Kiwins consisting of President Francesca Ball and fellow officers Samantha Velasquez, Zachary Naguit, Alexis Allen and Malia Allen said that making Boba for each football game took plenty work.

“It was a group effort,” Naguit said. “It took a lot of work – there were times we were over our heads.”

East Union was without a stove given the remodeling taking place in the culinary arts room.

“We had to use (the stove) from one of our homes,” Ball added.

 The Kiwins were joined by Manteca Kiwanis Club led by Mayor Ben Cantu during the presentation of the donations on Friday.


To contact reporter Vince Rembulat, e-mail vrembulat@mantecabulletin.com.