Turkey Drive: Arroyo Grande Ministry Provides Weekly Food Assistance to Local Families
ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. (KEYT) - As grocery prices continue to rise, St. Patrick’s Church in Arroyo Grande is helping Central Coast residents put food on the table through an outreach ministry that has served the community for nearly four decades.
The St. Patrick's Outreach Pantry began from humble origins, but has since grown into a large operation serving thousands of people each year,
"We started with two bags of groceries. Sister Eva," said Bernadine Judson, St. Patrick's Outreach Ministry Outreach Coordinator. "She was the one who started the program and thought whoever came to the church should be fed and that's where we're at now. We don't turn anyone away."
Today, the ministry distributes food three days a week on site, located across the street from Arroyo Grande High Schoohl.
According to Judson, each day approximately 70 people go through its food distribution line.
"We're feeding thousands of people every year," said Judson. "It's very rewarding. I feel blessed to be part of this."
During the distributions, clients are able to choose their own food selections as they walk through the line, including items such as meat, canned goods, pasta and other pantry staples.
Clients can also visit once a week to receive additional food, including fresh produce, bread and rescued grocery items.
For all of the clients, the assistance helps reduce the amount they need to spend at the grocery store.
"It means a lot," said client Reyna Fraijo. "This food helps. The food that I take from here, it really helps us a lot. Everything is getting so expensive at the store."
Fraijo, who said she has been coming to the pantry for 12 years, expressed gratitude to the people who donate and volunteer.
"I’m very thankful," said Fraijo. "Thank you to God that we have this help."
Judson said the ministry relies on several sources to keep its pantry stocked, including donations from parishioners, local farmers, community members and food rescue programs.
The SLO Food Bank is one of its major suppliers, while a partnership with the Food Bank of Santa Barbara County helps support service extending into Santa Maria.
A newer partnership between Must! Charities and the SLO Food Bank is also helping provide fresh and nutritious food to dozens of partner nonprofit agencies throughout the county.
"Our partnership with Must! Charities is so great because it allows us to not only get feedback from the neighbors that we serve, but then to also use that feedback to purchase food for our agency partners," said Savannah Colevans, SLO Food Bank Community Engagement Director. "Our partnership with Must! started last year and has really been transformative in allowing us to get local, fresh produce in high quality goods."
SLO Food Bank is one of two local non-profit organizations that are once again teaming up with News Channel 12 for its annual Turkey Drive.
The fundraiser is now going on through Thursday, Nov. 19 and is collecting donations for SLO Food Bank and Good Samaritan Shelter.
Donations collected in San Luis Obispo County will directly assist SLO Food Bank Clients, while those collected in Santa Barbara County will directly benefit Good Samaritan clients, as well as other local non-profit organizations.
For more information about the News Channel 12 Turkey Drive, or to donate, click here.
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