Lakeport >> Oct. 24 is a nation-wide day of volunteering, known as “Make A Difference Day”. For the 16th year in a row, there will be a collection of non-perishable food for our local communities. The total amount of food collected in the first 15 years is 57,237 pounds. The even has transformed into the Stuff-A-Bus mode, with Lake Transit Authority parking two buses that will be stuffed with the food collected. North Coast Opportunities, Community Action and the Lake County Hunger Task force will be staffing the two collection sites, both from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on that Saturday. One bus will be parked at the Clearlake Grocery Outlet store in Clearlake, and the other at Bruno’s Shop Smart in Lakeport.
All the food collected will stay in Lake County. For several reasons, not just the fires this summer, many of our local food pantries are greatly in need of donations to fill their shelves. These pantries operate year round, and are invaluable to their local communities. This collection will be split evenly between the Live Oak Senior Center, Lakeport Senior Center, Highlands Senior Center, Northshore Community Center, Catholic Charities Rural Food Project in Kelseyville, Helping Hand, Clear Lake Gleaners, the Bridge, CCHAP, the Snake Lady Yvonne Cox, Lake Family Resource Center, One Step Away, Kelseyville Presbyterian Church, Healthy Start, United Christian Parish and North Coast Opportunities.
There are barrels out at several locations to collect food before the actual event. They are located at the Lakeport Library, People’s Services thrift stores and offices, U.S. Forest Service in Upper Lake, Lake County Office of Education, Konocti Christian Academy, Lower Lake High School Upward Bound, Meadowbrook Headstart, Yuba College Culinary club, Riviera Foods, Lakeside Health Clinic, Clearlake Grocery Outlet, Mendo Lake Credit Union and WestAmerica Banks in Lakeport, Kelseyville, Clearlake, Middletown and Upper Lake, If you would like a barrel in your location, please contact Tammy Alakszay at 994-4647, ext. 123, or Lorrie Gray at 277-9227.
Additional volunteers are needed at the two sites. They must be registered beforehand, so please call one of the phone numbers above, or sign up at ncoinc.org. We are counting on the generosity of our local people to help each other once again.
