Foodbank of Santa Barbara County kicks off first annual Foodbank Giving Day

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Starting on Thursday, Oct. 13, every donation made to the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County will be doubled.

"This is the first annual Giving Day .. at the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County ... and it’s a day of action, love and hope … the community can get involved," said chief development officer Alisse Harris of the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County.

This means all donations will be doubled up to $150,000.

"So we’re really hoping to energize the community health put twice as many healthy meals on the tables, and provide more health and nutrition throughout Santa Barbara County, and make an impact to those again who are facing hunger and insecurity," said Harris.

Managers with the foodbank say they hope this fundraiser will help families in need, especially going into the holidays.

*{dan thomas, foodbank of santa barbara countycapital campaign director}

"My hope with giving day is that the community looks around and sees the fact that many people right now are struggling … food costs are high … and when they see their neighbors struggling they step forward, and say I can help," said capital campaign director Dan Thomas of the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County. "And that we’re trying to complete funding on that will really really extend our service in the community in some wonderful ways."

Judith Smith-Meyer of the foodbank believes hard working community members throughout Santa Barbara County are struggling as we head into the holidays for many reasons.

"Inflation and gas prices didn’t come down at end of summer like they usually do. Food costs for basics like eggs and milk have skyrocketed, making it even harder for families to feed their kids. Utilities like water have gone up significantly. Rent is going up as the housing market stays tight. All of these factors hit the lowest income working neighbors," said Smith-Meyer.

Smith-Meyer believes a larger percentage of their income goes to cover these basic expenses.

"Food is the place in household budgets that gets squeezed, since you have to pay your rent and phone bills, and then health starts to slide, because you’re scraping on quality or just skipping meals," said Smith-Meyer.

She believes nutritious food is key to productivity and wellness.

The foodbank team hopes Giving Day allows supporters to do twice as much good for our less fortunate neighbors in Santa Barbara County.

All donations submitted to the foodbank on Oct. 13 will be matched up to $150,000.

If you would like to help the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County log onto the website for more information at: https://foodbanksbc.org/