ABC7, Vons, Care 1st, ESPN LA 710, PODS, Mathis Brothers & Southern California Food Banks Unite to Feed SoCal

Online, July 2, 2013 (Newswire.com) - One out of every six people in southern California experiences hunger, especially during the summer, with children, veterans and the elderly specifically having the greatest need. On July 1, ABC7, Vons, Care 1st, ESPN LA 710, PODS, Mathis Brothers and southern California food banks launched the second annual ABC7 Feed SoCal campaign. This month-long, community-based food drive helps southern California food banks replenish their shelves during the summer months. Last year's inaugural effort collected 1,323,002 pounds of food. Organizers have set this year's goal at 1.5 million pounds (more than 15.5 million meals).

On two Fridays in July, ABC7 will be hosting four Stuff-a-Truck events with Eyewitness News talent Garth Kemp and Alysha Del Valle, 4:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Locals can also help Feed SoCal by purchasing a $5, specially priced, pre-packed bag of groceries at more than 100 participating Vons and Pavilions locations across southern California or by dropping off individually purchased nonperishable food items the entire month of July. Cash donations can be made online at www.abc7.com

Stuff-a-Truck Events:

Friday, July 19 - Los Angeles County - Alysha Del Valle
Pavilions - 11030 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City

Friday, July 19 - Ventura County - Garth Kemp
Vons - 1790 N. Moorpark Rd., Thousand Oaks

Friday, July 26 - Orange County - Alysha Del Valle
Vons - 185 E. 17th St. Costa Mesa

Friday, July 26 - Inland Empire - Garth Kemp
Mathis Brothers - 4105 Inland Empire Blvd., Ontario

"Last year we witnessed southern Californians' ability to respond generously to the needs of their friends and neighbors," said KABC-TV President and General Manager, Arnold J. Kleiner. "We are grateful to them for their generosity and look forward to again joining with our viewers to help feed SoCal. KABC-TV is also pleased to partner with Vons and our regional food banks to serve those in our community who are in need this summer."

Vons has been a long-time, year-round supporter of hunger relief and since 2007 has donated over 12 million pounds of product to southern California food banks. The ABC7 Feed SoCal campaign will once again benefit the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, which feeds 1 million people annually; Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, which services more than 240,000 people each month; Second Harvest Food Bank Inland Empire, serving more than 350,000 each month; and FOOD Share Ventura County, assisting more than 74,500 each month.

"Providing food to those in need is a key component of our commitment to the community, but hunger is a big challenge and it does not take a vacation during the summer, when children are home and no longer able to access nutritional school meals," said Vons President Lori Raya. "That's why this campaign is so critical - no child should have to go to bed hungry, no matter the time of year."

The ABC7 Feed SoCal event is one of the largest food drives of the year for the food banks, which work through a network of agencies and programs to feed millions of people throughout southern California. Celebrating its 40th year, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank feeds 1 million people in Los Angeles County every year, 400,000 of those are children.

"We are grateful to the community and all our partners who make this event a huge success," said Michael Flood, president & CEO of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. "The month-long effort helps us work toward our vision that no one goes hungry in Los Angeles County. The Feed SoCal campaign is a great way for communities all over the southland to work toward that goal."

Providing food and drink for volunteers at the events is Panera Bread.

THE FACTS ABOUT HUNGER: One out of every six people in southern California experiences hunger. And while local food banks help millions of people each year, demand has continued to grow much faster than our resources and many agencies are on a waiting list. Just $1 can feed as many as four people and you can help!

# # #

Media Contacts:

Social Change PR & Marketing:
Dorrit Ragosine -323-451-2034 / [email protected]
Kelly Williams - 323-660-5800 / [email protected]