City of Santa Rosa seeks to raise $25,000, plus non-perishable food donations during April 23-30 food drive with Redwood Empire Food Bank
Santa Rosa, CA – The City of Santa Rosa is teaming up with the Redwood Empire Food Bank to host a virtual fundraiser and drive-thru food drive in response to growing hunger needs amid the COVID-19 emergency. The City seeks to raise $25,000 for the Redwood Empire Food Bank during a Neighbors Helping Neighbors Virtual Fund Drive, April 23-30 at SRCity.org/FoodDrive. Additionally, on April 30 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., donations of non-perishable food items will be collected during a Drive Thru Food Donation event in the parking lot at Santa Rosa City Hall.
Redwood Empire Food Bank is projecting the number of people in need of fresh food, groceries, and meals in Sonoma County to double amid the public health emergency to include 164,000 children, seniors, and adults.
“Currently, the Food Bank is packing more than 5,000 boxes of food a day with help from the National Guard and volunteers – and they need more food and funds to sustain that operation,” said Santa Rosa Mayor Tom Schwedhelm. “From past experience, we know how Santa Rosans come together to help each other in an emergency, and now we need to pull together once again, for neighbors to help neighbors so no one goes hungry in our community.”
“At the Redwood Empire Food Bank, our mission is simple – to end hunger in our community – but how we accomplish it is not,” said David Good, CEO of REFB. “When you donate to the Redwood Empire Food Bank, your money helps us purchase food, pay our dedicated staff, fuel our trucks, keep our refrigerators running, and accomplish everything in between. Without money, we wouldn’t be able to operate and distribute food to those in need.”
Virtual Food Drive Donations
An online monetary donation is the easiest and most effective way to make a difference, especially during this time when social distancing is crucial. For every $1 donated, Redwood Empire Food Bank will distribute $4 of healthy food. The Food Bank seeks to raise $100,000 countywide to meet the increased need of our communities during the pandemic. As the largest city in Sonoma County, Santa Rosa’s need is also among the largest and the City ‘s $25,000 fundraising goal aims to help better meet that need. To make a one time or recurring donation, visit: SRCity.org/FoodDrive.
Drive-Thru Donation
On April 30th from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., those who prefer to help by providing direct food donations are asked to fill a bag with non-perishable food (no glass containers) and drive your donations to the parking lot at City Hall at 100 Santa Rosa Avenue (enter lot from D Street). Please stay in your car and drive-thru to drop off your donation. The most needed items include tuna and canned meat, peanut butter, canned soups and stews, rice and dry beans, cereal, canned fruits and vegetables, and protein bars.
Be sure to wear your face covering while you stay in your car to drop off your food donations. Refrain from participating in the drive-thru donation if you or a member of your household have had a fever or have been ill within the last 72 hours.
For up-to-date information on the City of Santa Rosa’s response to the coronavirus emergency, visit srcity.org/PreventTheSpread.
To learn more about the work of the Redwood Empire Food Bank during the public health emergency, visit refb.org/response-to-coronavirus.