The HSU Service Learning Center coordinated the food drive, and active participation from Staff Council, and the community of Arcata was the key factor in making this a successful event. According to Jennifer Howell, HSU student and Service Learning Intern, the donations both on and off campus were very impressive. “People filled barrel after barrel on campus,” said Howell, “It was great to see the generosity of so many people coming together to support the Food Bank.”
And this is an important time of year to help contribute to hungry people in our community. Executive Director of Food for People, Anne Holcomb said that changing times have caused greater demand. “With the economy still struggling at the national, state and local levels, we have really seen an unprecedented need arise locally,” Holcomb said.
The HSU Food Drive is part of a series of many other food drives Food for People is holding this season around the county. Jason Whitley, Local Food Resources Coordinator at the Food Bank said HSU’s involvement was an excellent contribution to this year’s efforts. “Food for People really appreciates everything Humboldt does for us, and we are always excited to partner,” Whitley said. He also added that although the holidays is a time of high need in our community, the food that is collected during holiday food drives doesn’t just get used during November and December. “Some people think that the food drive food will be going out during the holidays, but this food sustains us throughout the next few months, when we don’t have enough donations coming up. These thousands of pounds of food helps sustains us for many more months to come,” he said.
If you have food items that you would like to contribute to Food for People’s efforts this holiday season, please see the list below for local businesses in Arcata where donations can be dropped off. The foods that families and children need most are: Canned tuna and chicken, beans and rice, canned soups and stews, canned fruit, boxed and canned juices, peanut butter, breakfast cereals, pasta, canned vegetables, and nutritional supplements/instant breakfast drinks.
Food Donation Drop Off Locations:
Arcata
Safeway, 600 F St.
Wildberries Marketplace, 747 13th St.
Northern Redwood Federal Credit Union 1270 Giuntoli Lane