Food drive benefits hungry Californians

» June 2, 2005 «

A campaign to alleviate hunger will be the focus for California young farmers and ranchers as they gear up for their annual food drive. The California Young Farmers and Ranchers State Committee kicks off its 2005 Harvest for All campaign on Hunger Awareness Day, June 7.

"California farm and ranch families work hard year-round to produce the world's most abundant supply of affordable, safe and high-quality food," said campaign chairman and Young Farmers and Ranchers committee member Betsy Hunter of Bakersfield, "yet one out of nine citizens in the United States remains at risk of hunger."

In 2004, California Farm Bureau members donated more than 2.4 million pounds of food to food banks throughout the state-enough to fill 1,200 one-ton Dodge trucks. In addition, the group logged more than 1,700 volunteer hours and raised more than $30,000. The American Farm Bureau Federation recognized the California campaign at an awards ceremony, for leading the nation in donations of food, money and volunteer hours for the second straight year.

"According to America's Second Harvest, hunger is a reality for millions of Americans, young and old, who never imagined that they would be dependent on food banks, pantries, shelters, and school lunch programs," Hunter said. "We are dedicated to do all we can to meet the needs of hungry Californians and give back to our communities."

For more information on Hunger Awareness Day or Harvest for All, see the California Farm Bureau Web site at www.cfbf.com/programs/yfr/.

Contact: Dave Kranz
Phone: 916/561-5550
news@cfbf.com

Permission for use is granted, however, credit must be made to the California Farm Bureau Federation when reprinting this item.