This year marks the 28th year of Food Finders’ Holiday Food Drive, a community-wide effort that results in thousands of meals for those in need during the holiday season, according to the food rescue organization.
The drive kicked off in October and takes place throughout Long Beach, Los Angeles and Orange counties, continuing through Dec. 31.
Food Finders engages neighborhoods, schools, libraries and businesses as drop-off locations for non-perishable food items and will supply collection bins to those interested in participating. The more participation community-wide, the more successful the Holiday Food Drive will be for families, individuals and children who receive the meal boxes via pantries and shelters that partner with Food Finders, according to the organization.
“Congratulations to Food Finders on 28 years of collecting and distributing food to our neighbors in need in Long Beach during the holiday season,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “This year’s holiday food drive goal is to collect 100,000 pounds of food, which would provide 83,000 meals to local families in need.”
In addition to collecting holiday meal staples, such as canned vegetables, stuffing, gravy, pie filling, canned meats, pasta, pasta sauce, cookies and more, Food Finders will also be accepting pet food to help out pet owners.
Those who prefer to make a monetary donation can do so as well. A $25 donation will buy two turkeys, and with every $25 increase two additional turkeys can be purchased. Monetary donations may be made by check or through the Food Finders website at foodfinders.org.
The annual Thanksgiving Sorting & Packing Event, a major component to the Holiday Food Drive, will take place on Friday, Nov. 17, from 6pm to 8pm at DLJ Produce headquarters, 3100 E 29th St. in Long Beach. Volunteers gather in the space to sort and pack the boxes of food that has been collected and prepare it for distribution.
Volunteers are also needed to distribute donated food and turkeys to agencies and families on Saturday, Nov. 18 from 11am to 2pm.
To volunteer for Food Finders Holiday Food Drive and Thanksgiving Sort & Pack Event or to distribute collected food, or to help collect canned food at a place of business, call Diana Lara (562) 283-1400 ext. 101 or Chris Wong extension at ext. 102. For a drop-off location, call (562) 283-1400.
Source: Food Finders
