Santa Barbara County has at least 52,000 low-income households that are food insecure, according to 2014 data taken by California Food Policy Advocates. The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines food insecurity as “consistent access to adequate food limited by a lack of money and other resources at times during the year.”
In other words, tens of thousands of people in the county lack access to healthy food on a regular basis. As a member of Feeding America, the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County receives some assistance, but it’s not enough. Luckily, they do get help from local organizations.
During the weekend of The Classic at Pismo Beach from June 16 to 18, The Edgewater Inn and Suites provided parking spaces for the annual Father’s Day car show, and raised more than $4,300, with all proceeds going to the Foodbank. The event attracted thousands of people from across California and beyond to gawk at spiffed-up classic cars. Hotel staff donated their time to raise money.
The money raised for the Foodbank will go toward stocking up on staple items such as canned goods. The partnership was coordinated by local hoteliers Judy and Hardy Hearn, along with Judith Monte, who is the development manager for the Foodbank’s North County branch.
A check was formally presented the following Saturday morning, June 25, at the Edgewater.
Monte said the gift will benefit the Foodbank and have a “dynamic impact” on those whom the Foodbank helps.
“We appreciate Hardy and Judy’s personal commitment,” Monte said at the event.
The Hearns are also honorary co-chairs of this year’s Empty Bowls, which is an annual fundraiser organized by the Foodbank, that helps raise money toward feeding the hungry. For a $25 donation, attendees get a meal and a ceramic bowl crafted and designed by local artists. For Monte, the bowls serve as a keepsake and a reminder of the less fortunate in Santa Barbara County. The event is held every October.
The Foodbank also has a reach beyond the county. Two agencies the Foodbank partners with are Family Foods in Nipomo and St. Patrick’s Church Food Pantry. Together they feed more than 8,000 people in San Luis Obispo County.
More information is available through the Foodbank at 937-3422 or foodbanksbc.org.
Highlights
• Got a lot of stuff you want to get rid of but don’t exactly want to give or throw it away? The Valley of Flowers Half Century Club in Lompoc is putting on its Giant Rummage Sale on July 15 and 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. For $10, you can rent a table to display your wares. Also, you can browse other people’s stuff. Attendance for the event itself is free. To reserve a table, call 736-6669 or visit the club at 341 North N St. between the hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. You can also send an email at halfcenturylompoc@yahoo.com.
• Going green: It could save you money and make you more business-friendly. On July 20, the Chumash Employee Resource Center located at 585 McMurray Road in Buellton kicks off the Green Business Academy workshop from 3 to 5 p.m. The workshop is presented by the Green Business Program of Santa Barbara County, which provides certifications as well as resources and assistance to businesses wanting to be green.
For more information, call Frances Gilliland at 729-3472 or email coordinator@greenbizsbc.org.
Staff Writer David Minsky wrote this week’s Biz Spotlight. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, email, or mail.
This article appears in Jul 7-14, 2016.
