Food Bank launches annual food drive

The Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB) launched its winter food and funds drive on Nov. 1 to help the one in six Sonoma County residents struggling with hunger. They encourage the other five out of six of us to donate food, time, or cash this holiday season to help meet the demand for food assistance year-round. The drive will run from Nov. 1 to Jan. 31, 2014.
Development officer Billy Bartz, manager of the Food & Funds Drive, said the goal this year is to provide 625,000 meals for people in need both through food and fund donations from the community. The REFB is especially hoping for donations of canned tuna, canned chicken, peanut butter, and any other staple, non-perishable food item, such as rice, beans, pasta and cereal. Also, every $1 donated can provide $4 worth of food for the community.
“The food bank is a reflection of the community,” said Bartz, “so while one out of six people are in need of food assistance, there are five out of six of us able to step up and do what we can, whether that’s to volunteer or donate food, or donate money.”
“We appreciate the response that we’ve always gotten,” said REFB chief operating officer Jean Larson. “It’s an amazing community, where people look out for each other, and that’s what makes the drive such a success every year.”
In addition to donating, Bartz said, residents can help the REFB by volunteering to pack food boxes or sort produce. The REFB website hosts a volunteer calendar that details all the open opportunities, which is available at www.refb.org by clicking “Volunteer Now” under the “Volunteer” tab. For businesses, Bartz encourages hosting a food and funds drive, which he said is easy to do. The food bank will drop off the orange barrels.
“Winter definitely poses challenges for people in need of food assistance,” said Bartz. “Heating your home costs more, so money’s not stretching as far. There’s that added pressure of the holiday season when you want to help provide for others but you’re not really able to take care of yourself or provide meals for your own family.”
“It’s hard this time of year,” said Larson. “Especially through the holidays. People are enjoying the food that goes along with the holidays, the celebratory meals, and low-income people want the same thing. It’s important that we raise the funds and the food to provide them with the same opportunity the rest of us have.”
According to Bartz, last year’s food and funds drive raised 556,250 meals for those in need. Nearly 500 businesses, organizations, schools and individuals hosted food and funds drives, he said, including 47,000 pounds of food collected by Sonoma County schools and 93,000 meals collected from local food and drug stores.
During the food drive this year, grocery stores such as Safeway, Oliver’s Markets, Walgreens, G&G Supermarkets, Whole Foods and Grocery Outlet, among others, will have orange REFB food donation barrels out front, ready for donations of non-perishable food items. The Press Democrat, Argus Courier, and Friedman’s Home Improvement will also deliver “Fill’er Up Bags” to allow residents to donate food by the bag.
Of course, hunger is not only a problem in winter. “We have several partners and wonderful people in the community hosting food drives year round,” said Bartz. “You can make a donation or volunteer anytime.”