OC Fairgoers Help Feed the Hungry

By C. MacDonald

On July 16th, anyone who donated 5 cans of food to the food bank at the OC Fair received a free admission and ride. Second Harvest Food Bank hoped they would get more than 63,000 pounds of food this year, compared to 60,000 collected last year.

The food bank, which helps serve more than 200,000 individuals each month between Los Alamitos and San Clemente, is the link between food suppliers and over 340 distribution agencies.

All the food collected goes to the bank's warehouse at 8014 Marine Way in Irvine, where volunteers check the donations, which then become part of a supermarket for the agencies, who make selections for their clients' needs. "We've collected enough food for more than 275 million meals and distributed it to partners, including church pantries, senior centers, rehab centers, homes for abused children, shelters and emergency assistance organizations over the last 30 years," Gavin said. "About 42% of our labor is supplied by volunteers." Helping collect food at the Fair were 20 enthusiastic employees from Philadelphia Insurance in Mission Viejo. "I donate canned food whenever I can," said Katrina Woolsey of Santa Ana, as she dropped off several bags full of canned food. "There are so many people who go hungry in OC that I'm trying to make a difference." The mother of 4 thanked the food bank helpers for all they do.

Gavin said more than 400,000 people in OC are at risk of hunger every month--more than half children and seniors. "We partner with local grocers, restaurants, caterers and hotels to collect prepared and perishable food, then distribute it the same day to agencies that feed people directly," he said.

Deborah Henderson, food bank marketing assistant, said there are more than 36 sites around the county "where we provide healthy after-school meals and summer meals, plus nutrition education to 1,800 children daily."

Twice a month, they distribute groceries to more than 3,500 low and fixed- income senior households at 37 sites. "We pack Feeding Hope Boxes full of nutritious, shelf-stable food for nearly 3,000 disadvantaged families every month," she said.

Henderson said people can help by hosting a food drive at a school, office or neighborhood, volunteer (sort and label food, serve as an ambassador in the community, donate funds--each dollar can provide enough food for 3 meals) plus more. You can help in the effort to end hunger in OC in a number of ways. Go to FeedOC.org or call 949-653-2900 to learn more. Together we all can help feed the hungry.