The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is working overtime this holiday season to feed more than 150,00 families and seniors living in the county.
Through Dec. 31, the foodbank locations will station food collection bins in local grocery stores and hold special events to encourage people to donate during these especially busy months.
“Now more than ever, the Foodbank needs the community to contribute to make the holidays brighter for those most in need,” organization officials wrote in a release to the media.
This year’s food drive theme, “Hope for the Holidays,” was inspired by a recent letter and $100 donation given to the Foodbank by local 10-year-old Sophia Hope. According to the press release, Sophia wrote the Foodbank to say people going hungry makes her sad. When she asked her mom how she could help, she learned about the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County. So Sophia and her family sent a donation of $100 and the message, “I truly hope it helps.”
Some local organizations are helping give hope for the holidays.
On Nov. 4, both the Santa Maria Times and the Santa Barbara News-Press will have brown bag grocery inserts at their locations. The bags will have information about the Foodbank’s most needed items and where they can be returned.
The Foodbank’s annual turkey drive—another popular community drive—will run through Nov. 23. Find turkeys and other non-perishable food at both Foodbank warehouses, located at 490 W. Foster Road in Santa Maria and 4554 Hollister Ave. in Santa Barbara.
Food can also be bought through the Foodbank’s website, foodbanksbc.org, through the virtual food drive.
People interested in holding food or fund drives at local businesses, schools, or churches can contact the Foodbank to receive free supplies, including boxes, barrels, a food drive information kit, coin collection canisters, and posters listing needed food items.
According to the Foodbank, “for every $1 contributed, the Foodbank can use its purchasing power to buy $9 worth of nutritious food.” The goods are then distributed to food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, and after-school and senior feeding programs.
For more information about starting a drive or volunteering at the Santa Maria warehouse, contact Claudia Ruiz at 937-3422, Ext. 109.
This article appears in Oct 28 – Nov 4, 2010.