7K Cars Expected At 'We Give Thanks' Drive-Thru Event In OC

ORANGE COUNTY, CA —The Orange County Community Action Partnership is gratefully accepting donations for Thanksgiving week and beyond to support the neediest of Orange County residents. The number of people they help has more than tripled since August, and amid a worsening economic climate and the ongoing pandemic, the food bank needs community support now more than ever.

Patch editor Paige Austin recently donated a carload of groceries to the Community Action Partners Orange County Food Bank. She filled her Costco order with a little cash collected from colleagues and loaded up her trunk to deliver to the OC Food Bank.

The turkeys, pies, eggs, cranberries, potatoes, and other staple items she donated will be given away either in food boxes through the food bank, or at the "We Give Thanks" event on Thanksgiving morning.

It is the 34th year for that event, now held at the Honda Center, in Anaheim. The massive food giveaway runs from 9 a.m. until noon.
Thousands affected by coronavirus's economic fallout will receive a full Thanksgiving meal courtesy of the community of partners from Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, Waste Not OC, Wells Fargo, the Honda Center, and the Anaheim Ducks.

Volunteers are welcome.

The program estimates 7,000 cars will drive through to get their Thanksgiving meal staples, as well as supplemental groceries. They are handing out 1,300 turkeys, 7,000 pies, and 175,000 pounds of boxed food. Also, Waste Not OC is preparing and packaging enough meals for 28,000 people with their food recovery kitchens.

For Buena Park resident Joan Floyd, the Food Bank and the Thanksgiving meal program means she will get not just her groceries, but a turkey, pie, and more to make Thanksgiving dinner.

Even more, the meal program means she may have some hope for the holidays this year.

2020 has been hard on residents like Floyd, who participates in the food bank's monthly box program. She recently took in her adult children, who lost their jobs amid the coronavirus pandemic. She now picks up a box of staple food items once a month, and that box means that there will always be something in the pantry to make a meal. It also means that maybe, this Christmas, there will be enough money to buy a gift for her loved ones.

According to LaShanda Maze of the Community Action Partners OC Food Bank, there is a greater need in Orange County than ever before.
The pandemic has dramatically increased the community's need since March, Maze tells Patch.

Pandemic Unemployment Insurance will expire Dec. 31, with the last full week of benefits ending on Dec. 26, unless the state Legislature passes an extension for emergency programs past Christmas. Hunger has tripled in Orange County from April to August 2020. Many of those who are food insecure are elderly.

"In August alone, we've logged more than 1 million residents served," Maze tells Patch. "This was made possible largely through the generosity of donor contributions, allowing us to purchase shelf-stable emergency food for individuals and families in need."

See a list of food banks open across the Golden State here.

The CAP OC Food Bank is down in monetary and food donations for the year. Fewer individuals and businesses are hosting food drives, and the supply chain has not recuperated to its pre-COVID state. The Thanksgiving week is like nothing Maze has seen before, she says. The Food Bank sees more people than ever before who are newly laid off, vulnerable, and needing support.

For Floyd, the regular monthly box of food has her feel fortunate that there is something there to make a meal, but more importantly, it saves her a trip to the market during the pandemic. It also means that she may be able to save enough money to buy someone a "little Christmas gift."

"It's a safe feeling knowing there's something in your pantry and you're not hungry," Floyd says. "That's a way you're saving people, by bringing the food. I just feel fortunate that there's something there to make a meal."

Through December 11, the Food Bank runs their Hope for the Holidays campaign, where people can donate to help provide holiday meals, support a family in need, or adopt a family. Volunteers are also welcome.

The Food Bank works under safety precautions amid coronavirus.

If you care to donate, individuals can drop off food items Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at our headquarters located at 11870 Monarch Street, Garden Grove, CA 92841.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 50 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.