Golden Empire Gleaners food bank is hoping you'll give some food for thought this month.
Four men founded Gleaners 24 years ago because so much food was going to waste. Today, the organization feeds 20,000 people a month in Kern County, and they expect that number to rise this summer.
Many families are struggling to make ends meet, and some kids home from school this summer aren't getting full meals, like they had during the school year.
Beatrice Ramirez works at Wasco High School and relies on Gleaners to feed children of migrant workers who aren't eating regular meals now that school is out.
"I feel that we are doing something good because when we go out there, we see these kids and we give them the food," Ramirez explained. "You should see them. They're just in awe that we're going out there and giving them food."
Ramirez makes trips to Gleaners about three times a week to pick up orders of food.
"A lot of kids come to school looking forward to eating breakfast and lunch and when they're not in school, it's hard because both parents are out there working."
Gleaners feeds about 5,000 more people this year compared to last year at this time. Individuals, as well as large organizations, depend on the food bank.
"We deliver food to missions, shelters, pantries, and group homes in larger quantities," Executive Director Pam Fiorini said. "All of those programs together, we distribute food to about 20,000 people a month."
The long-lasting staples, like peanut butter, canned vegetables and canned tuna are most needed.
"We'd love to have non-perishable items," Fiorini added. "Just about anything your families would enjoy we would love to pass on to our families who are in need."
The food bank only has two employees, and depends on volunteers like Darrell Hawkins to keep the organization running.
"You know, everything counts," Hawkins said on a break from unloading food. "The price of food went sky high so this a good thing pam is doing. I hope a lot more people out there bring donations to us."
Hawkins says the job is rewarding and hopes others will join him feed those in need. Gleaners distributes around 1.5 million pounds of food every year.
17 News is teaming up with Gleaners for a food drive on Wedensday, June 10th across form TV-17 Studios. You can donate cash and food from 5:00 am to 7:00 pm.
The cash donations help pay for the maintenance and gas for the delivery trucks, as well as the electric bills for the large freezers and refrigerators at the food bank.
