The United Way held its inaugural drive-through Beans and Rice Food Drive on Dec. 9 and 10 to benefit the Salvation Army.
With demand for food assistance rising faster than donated food supplies, the Food Drive helped bolster the Salvation Army’s depleted food supplies.
Why rice and beans? According to the United Way, both rice and beans are widely available and easy to transport and deliver. They’re nonperishable and provide a high percentage of protein, complex carbohydrates, and fiber.
“There is such an increase in people wanting the food baskets this year,” said Raynette Comejo with the United Way. “Normally when [the Salvation Army does] their Thanksgiving dinner, around 400 to 500 people show up. This year, they had over 750.”
Every day, the local Salvation Army feeds more than 150 people—singles, families, and children—according to Comejo.
Capt. Bob (“We all just call him Capt. Bob”) with the Salvation Army was excited for the help from United Way.
“I hope this is an annual event, something we can look forward to every year,” he said.
Items donated from the food drive will be used by the Salvation Army to fill food baskets that will be given away to those who need them on Dec. 19.
For more information on giving, contact the United Way at 922-0329.
Intern Nicholas Walter compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send items for consideration to mail@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Dec 11-18, 2008.