Grocery drive-thru aids Solvang residents in need of food

SOLVANG, Calif. - Solvang residents in need of food are receiving help during the pandemic in the form of a drive-thru grocery pickup.

With an economy built on tourism, many residents of Solvang are out of work and are struggling to put food on the table.

That's where Jane and Rick Soto stepped in with the help of the organization River of Giving.

"Really this began rather simply with my wife wanting to help one family," said Rick Soto, pastor of The Ranch Church. "We have our food, and it just struck us, how many people don't have this... the ability to just open up the refrigerator and make a simple meal?"

Together with River of Giving, they've organized a drive thru grocery pickup. They are giving residents a week's worth of groceries.

Much of the food is donated from vendors. Some is bought with monetary donations.

Everyone helping out is a volunteer.

"The people that you see that are helping out, they themselves have no job," said Rick Soto. "They've chosen to be givers in a really big way."

"It just feels like in this weird time where we are separated, that there's this community building that's happening at the same time," said Jane Soto.

The drive-thru is happening biweekly. Anyone who needs food can go through the Chomp parking lot.

They hope to continue the distribution as long as its needed. Today, the team gave food to around 400 families.