The Resource Connection Food Bank to feed 1300 families this
Holiday Season.
The Resource Connection, Calaveras County’s only food bank, serves twelve community food
pantries throughout the county with an estimated 1300 families expected to take
part in the Santa’s Express dinner and toy distribution to be held December 20,
2013 in San Andreas, West Point, and Murphys.
With the Santa’s Express food drive almost complete the job
of providing for those less fortunate has only just begun as volunteers
throughout the county have been and will be working all week long packing food
bags and sorting foods and toys for the upcoming event.
Food distribution at the bank is throughout the month yet the
bank will be closed for normal business on the day of the Santa Express. Those
who signed up for the Santa Express will be able to “drive thru the food bank”
and be treated to a turkey or a ham as well as a bag full of all the necessary
fixin’s to make any holiday meal complete.
Santa Express collection boxes collected not only
non-perishable foods and products but also barrels and barrels of toys to help
make for a joy filled Christmas for the children.
Every family with children between the ages of 0-1 can
‘shop’ for gifts for their children from a large selection of donated gifts,
finding just the right, age appropriate gift for their child. For families with
older children they can ‘shop’ for a new or gently used coat for their
children.
Though the Santa Express will feed approximately 1300
families according to Jeannie Hayward, Resource Connection Food Bank Director,
the number of families fed this month in the San Andreas area alone has
remained at approximate 1000, the same as 2012. According to Hayward’s tally, the Resource
Connection and the food banks throughout the county “serve 17% of the county’s
population.” Though many economists say
the economy is turning around, to Hayward its not getting better in Calaveras.
“It’s disappointing to not see the number (of food recipients) go down.”
Hayward thanked all who have volunteered with a noted thanks
to the Murphys/Angels Rotary as well as the Calaveras Rotary for donating not
only a large cash donation, but also for putting in long hours of volunteer
work and delivering supplies of food to many seniors and housebound persons
this past weekend.
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“We always need volunteers.” Said Hayward. Not only through
the holidays but throughout the year volunteers are needed at the Resource
Connection. If you would like to volunteer please call 209-754-1257.