Four-City Holiday Food Drive

Over 22,000 brown bags will be distributed to doorsteps of homes throughout Redlands, Mentone, Loma Linda and Highland as part of a massive food and toy drive for the Family Service Association (FSA) of Redlands. This drive will be held in early November and will directly benefit local families throughout the holidays. On Saturday, Nov. 8, volunteers will walk neighborhoods, leaving bags and information on front porches. Residents can fill bags with food and toy donations throughout the week, and then place them back on porches the following Saturday. On Saturday, Nov. 15, bags left on porches will be picked up early by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and local Boy Scouts, and then delivered to FSA. From there bags will be weighed, sorted and added to the pantry shelves to be distributed to those in need. This year marks the fourth year of the community food drive of this nature. In 2011 when the Redlands area LDS Church first planned the food drive as part of a Church Welfare Commemoration, over 26,000 pounds of food were collected and donated. In 2013, once again, hundreds of households participated for a total of 23,000 pounds of food. “Family Service is so thankful for the opportunity to partner with Stater Bros. and the LDS church in this capacity,” remarks Kyra Stewart, executive director of Family Service Association of Redlands. “There is a constant need to tackle the issues of food insecurity and hunger in our community.” A recent report released in spring 2014 stated that over 675,000 people in the Inland Empire region suffer from hunger issues. These are often hard working people who have to choose between paying rent or putting food on the table, the study shows. “The need is constant and consistent,” says Stewart. “Last year we helped over 20,000 individuals get help they needed. We are grateful to be in such a generous community that provides resources for our food pantry in such an immense way.” Like prior years, food and toys will again be donated to the Family Service Association of Redlands. They will then distribute donations to families throughout the community in need. This contributes to their mission statement to “alleviate poverty, encourage self-sufficiency, and promote the dignity of all people.” Many local schools are currently conducting food drives as well. These drives are critical to maintaining a consistent supply of food needed for the holidays. FSA hopes to have 30,000 pounds of food items by the beginning of December to help families. To participate in this drive, look for brown bags delivered to your door on Nov. 8, or take donations directly to Family Service Association of Redlands located at 612 Lawton St. in Redlands.