Foodbank of Santa Barbara County Press Release

The Foodbank urges the community to share their generosity and help local families in need with the key ingredient for this Thanksgiving’s holiday meal.

On Wednesday, November 14th at 12:30pm, Vons managers will present Foodbank with a check for $2,500, which equates to 250 turkeys to add to Foodbank’s goal of collecting 2,500 turkeys to help families in need have a warm Thanksgiving meal. The presentation and turkey pick-up will occur in front of the Vons Store at 3855 State St. across the parking lot from the La Cumbre Plaza Shopping Center.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITY

WHAT: Vons employees to present Foodbank with a $2500 check for Foodbank’s Annual Turkey Drive; a pick-up of the 250 frozen turkeys will also take place

WHEN: Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 12:30pm [Best Photo Opportunity at 12:30pm sharp]

WHERE: Vons Store at 3855 State St., across the parking lot from the La Cumbre Plaza Shopping Center

WHO: Vons managers Gene Bendixen, of the upper State Street location; Kirk Murdock, Turnpike location; Aaron Berends, Fairview location and Carlos Illingsworth, Vons District Manager; and Tracy Beard, Foodbank of Santa Barbara County Corporate Development Manager

MEDIA CONTACT: On-site contact: Candice Nyholt, SurfMedia Communications (cell: 805-689-9395)

Also from now through December 25th, Vons/Pavilions stores in southern California and southern Nevada will sell $10 bags filled with 8 of the “most needed” non-perishable items, such as pasta and canned vegetables. Customers will be able to take the bags to the register with their purchases.

Foodbank volunteers will also be outside of your local Vons to educate the community about the Foodbank on Saturday, November 17th.

In 2011, the Foodbank distributed 11.5 million pounds of food, translating into over 8.5 million meals, of which fully half was fresh produce. This served over 102,000 unduplicated people from Carpinteria to Santa Maria, an amazing 1 in 4 people. A staggering 44% of those served by the Foodbank are children and the need is greater than ever.

Other organizations, individuals or businesses are encouraged to participate in the drive.

Contributions can be dropped off in both Santa Maria and Santa Barbara at the following times and locations:

Santa Barbara

· Weekdays, Nov. 1st – 19th Drop-off donations at the Santa Barbara Foodbank facility located on 4554 Hollister Avenue, from 7:30am to 4:30pm (Monday – Friday)

· Saturday, November 17th Foodbank volunteers will be outside of your local Vons to educate about the Foodbank and show how you can help today.

Santa Maria

· Weekdays, Nov. 1st – 19th Drop-off donations at the Santa Maria Foodbank facility located on 490 W. Foster Road, from 7:00am to 4:00pm (Monday – Friday)

Online Fund Donations

· Individuals can also donate funds online at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/fosbc/.

For more information or to volunteer during the Turkey Drive or holiday season, please visit Foodbank, click here or for North County call (805) 937-3422, South County call (805) 967-5741.

About Vons

Vons is the largest division of Safeway, Inc., a Fortune 100 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America, based on sales. Safeway operates 1,678 stores in the United States and western Canada, 277 of which are in southern California and southern Nevada that operate under the Vons and Pavilions banners. Vons supports a broad range of charitable and community programs and in 2011, donated more than $14 million to cancer research, schools, as well as programs and services that assist veterans and people with disabilities. www.vons.com.

About the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County

The Foodbank is celebrating 30 years of eliminating hunger and food insecurity by distributing nutritious food, education, and other resources through its own programs and to a network of 290 member non-profit agencies and programs in Santa Barbara County. In 2011, the Foodbank distributed 11 million pounds of food – translating into more than 8.5 million meals – of which fully half was fresh produce. This served over 102,000 unduplicated people from Carpinteria to Santa Maria, an amazing 1 in 4 people.