2026 Jack Emery Food Drive gets started with annual brunch kickoff

As Milpitas High School’s Associated Student Board President, one of Nikko Sheppard’s many responsibilities is leading the annual Jack Emery Food Drive, a major humanitarian effort that includes everyone in Milpitas Unified School District.

 

This year, Sheppard and her MHS leadership team organized the Jack Emery Kickoff Brunch from inside the old theater on campus, with a delegate of staff and students from all parts of MUSD.

 

“I’m definitely excited for Jack Emery this year,” she said. “It’s a really good way for all the schools in the district to interact with each other. We can all use this opportunity to make connections.”

 

At the brunch, guests learned about the event’s namesake and purpose: To continue the legacy of Jack Emery by inspiring a spirit of giving that unites students, families, team members, and Board of all Milpitas schools and departments to ensure that no one in Milpitas faces hunger during the holiday season and throughout the year.

 

“Just knowing that we're a part of something that’s giving back to others in the community, it reminds me that all of our hard work and efforts–and it’s difficult at times–are for a good reason and worthy cause,” Sheppard said. “It’s really why I love leadership and doing events like this and making sure everyone feels like they are contributing something.”

 

Each school or department team finds creative ways to reach their families, community partners and businesses to help solicit canned foods and/or monetary donations. All donations are then delivered to the Milpitas Food Pantry for distribution to the most vulnerable within our community.

 

“Our main goal is $15,000 but our stretch goal is $20,000, and that’s just for Milpitas High School,” Sheppard explained. “Today, we are actually going to be goal-setting for the entire district. We are going to brainstorm on that and see where we are at.”

One cool, new addition for the MHS team is called “Karaoke for a Cause,” where students push to raise $500 to hear one of five educators sing a karaoke song in front of the entire school.

 

“It’s still pretty early on but maybe we will set a new record this year as a district,” she added.

 

This year, the Jack Emery runs from November 4 through December 11. Donations will be accepted at each MUSD school site or office.