The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County serves more than 100,000 people in the county annually, and with increased demand this year, the group needs all the help it can get. That’s why a recent donation of $10,000 from Wells Fargo was so appreciated.
“On behalf of all the hungry people or member agencies, I want to extend our gratitude to Wells Fargo,” Foodbank Executive Director Erik Talkin said in a release. “With the enormous increase in the cost of living, these funds are greatly needed to keep the food moving through our warehouse doors.”
According to the release, Wells Fargo’s charitable donations are up 42 percent. In 2007, Wells Fargo awarded 76 grants and $209,145 to nonprofit organizations in Santa Barbara County.
“With demand soaring and donations declining, our local food banks are in desperate need of support,” Patrick Nygren, Wells Fargo Community Bank district manager for Santa Barbara County, said in a release. The Foodbank has warehouses in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria, and serves more than 220 social service organizations and churches. In 2007, the Foodbank distributed more than 7.3 million pounds of food to more than 100,000 people in need throughout Santa Barbara County.
Biz Briefs is compiled by Sports Editor Sarah E. Thien. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.
This article appears in Sep 4-11, 2008.