/ FOOD Share
A girl helps family build CAN-tree at CAN-tree Collection food drive. Courtesy photo.
The Collection at RiverPark and Cumulus Media hosted FOOD Share’s successful 4th annual CAN-tree Collection drive in support of the regional food bank’s annual Tackle Hunger campaign, bringing in 201,200 cans of food (one can of food is equivalent to one pound) to replenish the Oxnard warehouse’s shelves.
The Collection’s Park View Court was lined with 302 CAN-trees–each made with 600 canned goods—built by business and community teams, as well as two 14-foot can-trees each made of 10,000 cans of food donated by Dole Packaged Foods and Farmers Insurance, and constructed by students of ACE Charter High School, and members of the Ventura County Contractors Association and Naval Base Ventura County.
“The energy the CAN-tree Collection event evokes from the enthusiasm of the community is truly magical to experience firsthand,” said Brad Bartlett, President of Dole Packaged Foods and CAN-tree chair. “It’s incredible to witness thousands of people who want to come together and make a difference in such a positive way.”
In addition to the community’s overwhelming support of helping the regional food bank exceed its goal to build more than 300 CAN-trees, Wells Fargo Vice President & District Manager Carmen De Arcos Gonzales presented FOOD Share President and CEO Bonnie Atmore with a $50,000 grant donation check.
“At Wells Fargo we are proud to be guided by many honorable principles, one of which includes supporting local nonprofit organizations like FOOD Share and their Tackle Hunger campaign that helps those in need, improve the quality of life and feeds families in our local community, said De Arcos Gonzales. In working with FOOD Share, we are privileged to see first-hand the positive change they create in our communities, and the opportunities they foster for residents and the less fortunate in Ventura County.”
The CAN-tree Collection is FOOD Share’s signature event during its annual Holiday Tackle Hunger Campaign – a three-month-long push to boost donations during the year when the need is most critical to help feed more than 74,500 hungry people per month.
“We are so grateful for the continued support of our sponsors and the community who come back year after year and inspire more people to join in our mission,” said FOOD Share President and CEO Bonnie Atmore. “This was our most successful CAN-tree Collection ever, and we couldn’t have done it without the support of everyone who participated.”
Media Opportunity:
Who: FOOD Share
What: Tackle Hunger Wrap-Up Mixer
When: Tuesday, Feb. 2, from 4 – 7 p.m.
Where: FOOD Share, 4156 Southbank Rd, Oxnard, CA 93036
About FOOD Share: More than 35 years ago, eight citizens performed a good deed by distributing food to those who were in need underneath a Ventura bridge. The early philanthropic movement quickly formed into what is now Ventura County’s regional food bank, FOOD Share, which has grown from serving a few hundred hungry people per month to 74,500 people. Today, staff and volunteers distribute more than 10 million pounds of food annually from its distribution site; more than 180 partner agencies, which include neighborhood and church food distributions and soup kitchens; as well as hunger assistance programs. FOOD Share’s programs provide healthy nutrition and education to children, families and seniors, which include: KIDS Share, SENIOR Share, Nutrition Education, Community Market, SoCal Gas CARE Program and more. A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, FOOD Share is a member of the Feeding America network, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization. For more information about FOOD Share, visitwww.foodshare.com. Find us on Facebook and Twitter.
About The Collection at RiverPark: The Collection at RiverPark is a 700,000 square foot, open-air specialty retail center located in the heart of West Ventura County. Inspired by the beauty of the California coast, The Collection reflects the unique atmosphere of the surrounding seaside communities. The Collection is built around a town grid of retail streets, each of which has its own personality-a carefully crafted assortment of established and contemporary designer shops, distinctive dining, and signature entertainment venues. Anchors include Target, Century RiverPark 16, REI, Whole Foods Market, H&M, 24-Hour SuperSport and The Container Store. Restaurants include Yard House, Gen Korean BBQ, Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar, Maria’s Italian Kitchen and more. Follow us on the web, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Vine at TheCollectionRP.