Skyline in the Community this Holiday Season

The holiday season brings unprecedented need in our community.  The Alameda County Community Food Bank reports “this has been an exceptional year of economic hardship in Alameda County. Our Emergency Food Help line requests in the third quarter of 2009 increased 53% from the same period in 2008, and have escalated 95% compared to the third quarter of 2007.”

We all know friends, neighbors, and co-workers who are struggling to make ends meet in these tough times. Mindful of that, Michael Armijo, Pastor Laurie and I felt compelled to insure that our giving efforts are the most efficient in delivering help to those in need.  ACCFB is the central clearinghouse for donated food in Alameda County, distributing 16.4 million pounds of food during the fiscal year completed on June 30, 2009 – including 7.6 million pounds of farm-fresh produce.

With their bulk purchasing power and ultra-efficient distribution network, the Food Bank can leverage every dollar donated by a ratio of 7:1.  According to a New York Times article published Oct. 11, 2009, ” “the money spent on a $2 jar of applesauce could otherwise buy up to 40 pounds of apples.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/11/magazine/11banks-t.html?_r=2&pagewanted=1&emc=eta1

To that end, for this holiday season we have revived our online Virtual Food Drive from the spring:
http://www.vfd-accfb.org/selectgroup.aspx

Why a Virtual Food Drive?

• It saves the Food Bank precious resources – schedulers, drivers, food sorters and fuel – during the busy holiday season.
• It’s the greenest (and easiest) of all food drives
• ACCFB can better meet our community’s nutritional needs

With demand at an all-time high, the Food Bank has to purchase more food than ever in order to meet the needs of their 275 food pantries, soup kitchens and community agencies. For those who want to donate cash or checks, we will be accepting donations at the church.

But what about people who want a hands-on experience?

We have two additional opportunities planned:

• For those who love the idea of shopping for Thanksgiving dinner, and preparing bags or “baskets”, we will be collecting non-perishable donations to be delivered directly to the East Oakland Switchboard, which Skyline has long supported.  This agency provides information, referral services and emergency food boxes to persons with a Social Services Agency referral.  Look for specifics on donations in upcoming church bulletins.
• Last year’s support of Lake Merritt United Methodist Church’s Thanksgiving dinner was exceptional. Paula Byrens collected 50% more pies than she requested.  Additionally, many Skyline members were on hand during the day to welcome diners, serve food, and bus tables.  We want to participate again this year, by donating pies (homemade or purchased) and volunteering on Thanksgiving Day.  Paula will be providing more details in the coming weeks.

For more information on these, or other volunteering opportunities during the holidays and beyond, please contact Suzie Harris, Michael Armijo, or Pastor Laurie.