Hunger doesn't take a vacation. Join Safeway and ABC7 for a month-long food drive to end hunger in Alameda County. Summer is a critical time for kids because low-income children who normally receive free or reduced lunches during the school year no longer have this meal. As a result, parents struggle to find the extra funds needed to provide healthy, nutritious meals for their children.
It's easy to help. Take advantage of the two-for-one specials the next time you're grocery shopping or bring your nonperishable donations to your local store and drop them in the red Food Bank barrels. Find the Safeway store nearest you by visiting www.shop.safeway.com/superstore.
The Alameda County Community Food Bank
Sunday, July 6 - Saturday, August 2
7900 Edgewater Drive
Oakland, CA 94621
510-635-3663
www.accfb.org
The Alameda County Community Food Bank is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has been serving the community since 1985. As the county's clearinghouse for donated food, the Food Bank provides food assistance for 40,000 low-income Alameda County residents each week, which includes 14,000 children and 7,000 seniors. Most adults served are among the working poor.
What they do:
- Provide food to 300 community agencies that serve on-site meals and/or food bags for their clients Distribute bags of food to school children in need.
- Distribute fresh fruits and vegetables several times a week to member agencies.
- Operate a toll-free emergency food helpline that makes over 1,000 referrals each month.
- Conduct food stamp outreach clinics.
- Educate the community and public officials about the causes of hunger and poverty.
Summer Lunch For Kids & Teens Program:
June 16 - August 15
Meal sites are located at various schools and community centers throughout Oakland and Alameda County.
When school ends, so does the school meal program that so many families depend upon to feed their children. The Summer Lunch Program serves FREE meals to everyone 18 and younger who shows up at a site. No registration or paperwork is required, just stop by and enjoy a delicious lunch! Sponsored by the City of Oakland and the Oakland Unified School District. Call 800-870-3663 for a meal site near you or find a lunch site at www.summerlunch.org.
Help strike out hunger in the Oakland A's Food Bank Wednesdays. Bring two nonperishable food items to Wednesday home games from June to September, and you'll receive a free ticket to a future game. Drop off your food donation before each game at food drive barrels located at the Coliseum BART Plaza and at gates C and D.
July 9, 7:05 pm
July 30, 12:35pm
August 13, 7:05pm
September 17, 7:05pm
For more information on Bay Area Food Banks, visit www.bayareahunger.org.
Here is a list of urgently needed food items: (non-perishables only)
- Peanut Butter
- Chicken
- Tuna (and other foods high in protein)
- Soups
- Stew
- Chili
- Cereal
- Juice Containers
- Canned Fruit
- Canned Vegetables
NO GLASS CONTAINERS PLEASE!
Statistics
According to Bay Area Food Banks:
- Over half a million people are at risk of going hungry each month.
- About 38% are children.
- Every month, one in five children in the Bay Area is at risk of hunger.
According to the California Budget Project and 2007 Federal Register:
- The national poverty threshold for a family of four is an annual income of $20,650.
- Bay area numbers are startling. A Bay Area family with two working parents and two children must earn at least $70,000 just to make ends meet.
- This compares to a statewide average of $58,000.
According to California Food Policy Advocates:
- Nearly 400,000 children in the Bay Area are eligible for the Summer Food Service Program.
- These are kids who participate in subsidized school lunch programs during the academic year.
- Sadly, only 20% sign up for the free summer lunches because so few know about the program.
