Communities respond to hunger crisis as food drive nears halfway mark

The following is part of our yearly series of Food Basket
stories that will run throughout the holiday season. The series
highlights efforts to meet the ever increasing need of
less-fortunate residents. To submit information for The Food
Basket, call 823-7845 or e-mail ne**@so********.com.
SANTA ROSA — The Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB) reports that
Sonoma County residents are giving generously as its annual Winter
Food and Funds Drive nears its halfway point.
Lee Bickley, community relations manager of the REFB, said that
during November and the first part of December, there was a large
increase in the number of people who volunteered to sort, pack and
distribute food at the REFB’s Santa Rosa warehouse and
headquarters.  
She said that 365 community organizations and businesses are
hosting food drives, with 124 new ones this year.
And food donations are running ahead of last year’s campaign.
Five weeks into the three-month drive, Bickley said, about 85,000
lbs. of canned and packaged food have been donated, more than 1/3
of the 225,000 lb. goal.
“People hear the grim economic news and how many folks need help
feeding themselves and they want to help,” Bickley said. “So as we
approach the midway point, we’re doing pretty well. But we still
have a long way to go.
“Our winter drive is the most important hunger relief campaign
of the year. It helps families and seniors get through the holiday
season and stocks our shelves for the first quarter of the New
Year,” she added. “So, we are urging people not to let down after
Christmas. We need everyone to continue to do what they can.”
The annual drive, which runs from Nov. 1 to Jan. 31, is vital to
REFB programs that provide food to 78,000 seniors, children and
families in Sonoma County.
The REFB distributes almost 13 million pounds of food every year
– the equivalent of 27,000 meals every day. In addition to Sonoma
County, it serves pantries and hunger programs in Lake, Mendocino,
Del Norte and Humboldt counties.
Bickley said the annual drive is particularly urgent this year
as the need for food increases and sources of funds decrease. More
people are asking for help because of the economic downturn, the
state cutting funds for some programs and other sources of support
drying up.
“The recession and loss of jobs hit Sonoma County early and deep
and it’s going to take a long time for some people to recover,”
Bickley said. “As a result, the people we help feed every month are
going to need our help well into next year and beyond.”
Private community drives are being held in nearly every
neighborhood throughout the county at wineries, banks, schools,
apartment houses, commercial buildings, police and fire
departments, and city and county government offices.
Barrels for public donations are at Safeway, Lucky, G&G,
Whole Foods, CVS/pharmacy, Santa Rosa Grocery Outlet through
December.
For a full list of donation locations, go to www.refb.org and click on “give
food.”
Food also may be dropped off at REFB’s headquarters, 3320
Industrial Drive in Santa Rosa.
In addition to food, Bickley said, the REFB encourages cash
donations. Because of the volunteers who help operate programs, the
REFB is able to buy about $4 worth of food for every donated dollar
it spends to buy food.
“That means that a $25 donation will buy $100 worth of food, and
that goes a long way toward helping a lot of people,” Bickley said.
“And it’s a very simple way of giving.”
Checks can be mailed to 3320 Industrial Drive, Santa Rosa CA
95403 or donate online at www.refb.org.  Donors also can call the
food bank at 523-7900 and put a donation on a charge card.
For more information, call Bickley at 523-7900.