Fort Bragg Food Bank is a center of giving
This week marks the beginning of the 24th Annual Season of Sharing, the Fort Bragg Advocate-News’ and The Mendocino Beacon’s annual holiday fundraiser for the Fort Bragg Food Bank. For more than 40 years, the Food Bank has provided essential support for those in need on the Mendocino Coast. Since 1996, the newspapers have been proud to support that effort through the Season of Sharing. The fund drive was initiated by Sharon DiMauro, who was publisher of the newspapers for 20 years before she retired in January 2017.
Since its start, Season of Sharing has raised $388,458 for the Food Bank. This year’s drive runs through Tuesday, Dec. 31. Every penny donated to the Season of Sharing goes to the Food Bank.
Why the Food Bank? And why now?
Those experiencing food insecurity, economic distress and isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic has really deepened. More people need food and groceries on a daily basis.
Although distribution is changed to curbside due to COVID-19 restrictions, Food Bank distribution is open to all who qualify, with early evening hours one day a week for people who work during the day.
The Food Bank and its supporters, in 2019’s campaign, provided 1,135,417 pounds of needed food to Mendocino Coast communities, and another 315,367 pounds of food was donated to soup kitchens and food pantries elsewhere in Mendocino County. There were 2,124 families fed in Mendocino County last year. 77,201 meals were served at soup kitchens, and 169 volunteers contributed 10,745 volunteer hours.
The work done at the Food Bank amounts to much more than numbers. It’s all about people coming together to provide sustenance, in the form of food and kindness, to friends and neighbors in need.
This all happens because of the generosity of the communities the Food Bank serves; food donated by local groceries, restaurants and bakeries, as well as farms, gardens and bountiful back yards in the area.
In addition to their weekly distribution, the Food Bank also provides particular services to clients and their families. For instance, clients’ pets get help once a month with the Second Chance, Helping the Pets of People in Need program, in which animals receive free flea/ tick treatment as well as dog treats, leashes, collars, sweaters, blankets, beds, ID tag, nail clipping and information about free puppy shots and spay/neutering services. Along with Season of Sharing, there are many ways to contribute to the Food Bank, during the holidays and throughout the year.
Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases, the Fort Bragg Food Bank is offering Curbside Distribution ONLY at this time. Inside food distribution is closed. Masks are required for service. All food will be pre-bagged. They remain open throughout this crisis.
They care deeply about the health and safety of their staff, volunteers and clients. Curbside is available Monday through Friday, 10 to 11:15 a.m. and noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday evening 4 to 5:30 p.m., Curbside only.
The Fort Bragg Food Bank is located at 910 N. Franklin St., Fort Bragg. For questions, call 707-964-9404.
Each week through the end of the year, the newspapers will cover various aspects of the Food Bank’s operations, and provide an opportunity for people to lend a hand through donations to the Season of Sharing fund, 100 percent of which goes to Food Bank operations.
Make a Season of Sharing donation
No donation is too small. Every penny goes to the Food Bank, which is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit. Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases, in-person donations are not recommended. Please donate by one of the following: mail, credit card (via phone) or PayPal. See below for more information.
By mail: The Food Bank, P. O. Box 70, Fort Bragg, CA 95437. Note “Season of Sharing” on your check and indicate whether you want your name published.
Credit card: Call the Food Bank, 707-964-9404, to donate using a MasterCard or Visa. Ask the staff member to note that your donation is for the Season of Sharing.
PayPal: Go to fortbraggfoodbank.org and click the Donate button. Type “Season of Sharing” in the comment line below the amount of your donation.
Donors’ names are printed in the newspapers as we receive them from the Food Bank. Only donations specifically earmarked “Season of Sharing” are published in the newspapers. If you prefer that your donation be anonymous, please clearly note that on your check, PayPal payment or when contacting the Food Bank.
Donations may be made in memory or in honor of special people in your life. Just be sure that information accompanies your donation.
The 2020 drive ends Dec. 31. Let’s all share the Food Bank’s vision of “people coming together to create hope for a dignified and abundant life for everyone.”