Foodbank of Santa Barbara County
The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County concluded its annual Turkey Drive today, falling short of its targeted donation goal of 4,000 turkeys, reaching a total of 800. However, thanks to a generous grant from Costco and several local generous donors, the Foodbank was able to procure additional chickens and hams to aid in its holiday distributions.
To meet the increasing needs of the community, expanded holiday distribution sites were established at Franklin Elementary School in Santa Barbara and Lompoc High School, serving a total of 1,600 families last Saturday. Additional donated and purchased poultry will be distributed in the weeks leading up to Christmas, ensuring more families can enjoy a festive holiday meal.
Amid the challenges posed by the pandemic, food donations have steadily decreased while community needs have risen. The impact has been especially felt among seasonal workers in the county, many of whom are unemployed during the winter months. This demographic includes individuals who play pivotal roles in agriculture, cultivating the fruits and vegetables that grace holiday tables. To support these workers, the Foodbank’s Healthy Farmworkers program, known as Agricultores con Buena Salud, provides groceries, fresh produce, community resources and nutrition education to farmworkers, a program that took shape during the pandemic.
The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County remains committed to addressing food insecurity and supporting vulnerable communities, especially during this holiday season. Through its upcoming Giving Tuesday campaign, the Foodbank will continue to prepare for the winter months with the help of an anonymous donor who has agreed to match all gifts donated up to $40,000. Donations can be made at: https://www.classy.org/campaign/2023-Giving-Tuesday/c536891
While the Foodbank’s official Turkey Drive has ended, additional food drives have been initiated through community organizations which will continue to support the Foodbank through the weeks leading up to the Christmas Holiday. Donations are encouraged.
October 9–Dec.16
KSBY-TV Season of Hope
Drop-off Sites: https://www.ksby.com/community/season-of-hope/san-luis-obispo-county-drop-off-locations
Nov.1–Dec. 16
Edward Jones
Drop-off Sites:
- 595 Alamo Pintado Rd. Suite B, Solvang
- 650 Alamo Pintado Rd. Suite 202, Solvang
- 2933 Alamo Pintado Rd. Suite 108, Los Olivos
- 1090 Edison St. Suite 101, Santa Ynez
Nov. 9–Dec.1
Splash & Dash Carwash-Santa Maria
4 Locations
- 2175 S. Bradley Rd
- 202 E. Donovan Rd.
- 5006 Orcutt Rd.
- 629 S. Broadway
About the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County
The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is transforming health by eliminating hunger and food insecurity through good nutrition and food literacy. The Foodbank provides nourishment and education through a network of more than 200 partner agencies, nutrition education programs and food distribution sites operated by the Foodbank and its volunteers. In Santa Barbara County, one in four people receive support from the Foodbank – 38% of the people we serve are children.
For more information, visit www.FoodbankSBC.org.
Unfortunate that the results fell short of the goal. We have donated food for a number of years to the SB Foodbank at Thanksgiving. We watch Keyt news regularly and saw plenty of exposure for the Santa Maria Foodbank program, but never saw coverage of the SB Foodbank program. It could be that we just missed any coverage. We did find WillBridge & Catholic Charities, so were able to help a little.
Good for you; WillBridge & CC are good hariteis, as is Unity Shoppe. I appreciate the shopping choices Unity provides. Seems more important to me than a turkey. (I’m a monthly and more donor to Food Bank)
Way to go Costco!!! Not only just about the best Pumpkin Pies (yeah you can by a flatbed of pies if you needed!), nice $ polices as well. (a “gift/shop card” will also get you in the door…)