Foodbank of Santa Barbara County seeking support for upcoming Lompoc Empty Bowls fundraiser
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. - Of all the cities struggling with hunger, the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County says Lompoc has been hit the hardest this year.
“Lompoc is definitely the community in Santa Barbara County Where the economic struggle is felt in the most dense way," said senior communications manager
Judith smith-Meyer of the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County.
And the economic impact from COVID hasn’t done the city any favors.
“It’s taking a long time for people to bounce back. And there are still economic stresses that are new. Not just from COVID. Inflation …. gas prices … it’s hitting very hard in Lompoc," said Smith-Meyer.
Directors with the foodbank say at least 30 percent of the population in Lompoc is experiencing hunger right now.
“Families are slammed. It’s affecting children’s families individuals older adults," said Smith-Meyer.
So for the first time since 2019, the foodbank is returning to its annual Lompoc Empty Bowls event on Wednesday.
“This is a big deal because it is the only fundraiser in Lompoc. Lompoc is a high need area for the foodbank. We have seen some ups and downs since the COVID-19 pandemic … and we wanna make sure that we’re able to support the community," said senior development manager Laurel Alcantar of the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County.
The foodbank team says anyone can join the Lompoc Empty Bowls fundraiser including neighboring communities.
“This is so important to the Lompoc community because our job at the food bank is to ensure that everybody in our community has access to food that they need to stay healthy," said Alcantar.
The event pairs handcrafted bowls with gourmet soups.
Guests can take their unique, personally-selected bowl home with them.
Managers hope the bowl will serve as reminder that there are people facing empty bowls in our community every day.
"We’re all a team together working across the count … but for this event we’re thinking especially in our hearts … our Lompoc neighbors.
The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is urging people to help families in need in Lompoc.
Lompoc Empty Bowls is happening on Wednesday, July 27 at 11 a.m. at Dick DeWees Community and Senior Center, 1120 West Ocean Avenue in Lompoc.
