More than 3,000 pounds of produce was delivered to Lake County Community Action Agency (LCCAA) on Thursday for distribution to needy families throughout the area. The agency expected to provide for as many as 20 to 30 families with this week”s delivery.
Produce distributions are occurring on a weekly basis since late June and are expected to continue through late October or early November. The giveaways are held on Wednesdays or Thursdays, depending on when the shipments arrive. Proof of low income is not required and the produce is offered to anyone in need. LCCAA is located at 15312 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake.
“These distributions provide daily vitamins from fruits and vegetables that many families can”t afford,” said Sarina Beckel, program assistant. “A lot of kids are missing their daily allowance and this program helps parents keep their children healthy.”
The produce is obtained through the Farms to Families program as well as several local produce farmers. Seely”s Farm Stand in Upper Lake has been a major contributor to the program for two seasons. This week”s shipment included more than 100 pounds of various vegetables from Seely”s.
“Sutter Lakeside put me into touch with (LCCAA) because I always have surplus. I used to give it to the turkeys but I thought that it would better serve elsewhere,” said Colleen Rentsch, of Seely”s Farm Stand. “Sutter put me in touch with them last year and I”ve been contributing to the program ever since.”
Rentsch said she thinks it is important to contribute to the well-being of the community and that she finds much gratification in doing so. “I”m an active volunteer with the schools and the community and it just feels good to give back where I can,” she said. “This food program is an opportunity for me to do that and it is a healthy way to fill a need in our county.” Ralph Rittenhouse, a farmer from Lakeport, contributed 468 pounds of cantaloupe to this week”s delivery. Added with 40 boxes of Honeydew melons from Farms to Families in Santa Rosa and various other contributions, this week”s shipment totaled more than 3000 pounds of produce.
“The Gleaners also contribute so you can see our community is working together to feed our hungry families,” Beckel said.
Anyone in need is welcome to participate in the program. Participation does not require proof of low income and there is no limit on the amount of produce families can take. “They get what they need,” Beckel said. “We just had a lady with grandkids come in and load up for their entire park.”
According to the 2005 Hunger Study for Lake County, completed by Pacific Union College Social Work Program, “In 2002, more than 34 million people, including 13 million children, in the United States did not have access to enough food for an active, healthy life (Bread for the World Institute 2004).” The study also showed that the average number of households between 1998 and 2000 that were food insecure was 12.57 percent. In addition, the study found that 3.63 percent were food insecure with hunger.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her at 994-6444, ext. 11.
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