Food Banks in High Gear

As Thanksgiving approaches, the is preparing for its busiest time of year.

Michelle Berg, the bank’s community relations coordinator, walked through the spacious warehouse in San Carlos recently where bags of food, crates of boxed goods, carts of canned fruits and shelves of healthy proteins have been gathered this holiday season to provide for nearly 300,000 people the organization will help feed; 50,000 of which will be specific to this season.

“There is something about the Thanksgiving holiday that sees more donations and more need,” Berg said. “But hunger and need is a year-round issue.”

Any family of four making under $44,000 a year is eligible to receive food. Berg said individuals must make less than $1,800 per month to qualify.

Berg said frozen turkeys, meats in a can, tuna, peanut butter, low-sugar cereals, 100-percent fruit juice, canned fruits and vegetables and cans with pop-top lids are among the most sought after and needed foods at the moment.

The Second Harvest Food Bank, which provides food for local organizations such as West Valley Community Services, sees the holiday season more than double the demand for food, the result of which is 1,000 individual drives; more than half of the total number of drives throughout the year. The bank provided more than 35 million meals to the communities of Santa Clara and San Mateo counties last year.

The entrance to the bank’s lobby has an ongoing electronic tally chart counting the number of turkeys they’ve accumulated. Perky the Turkey is keeping count to the bank’s lofty goal of 11,500. On Tuesday afternoon Perky counted 9,923.

“It’s hard to get a good deal on turkeys,” said Berg, who added that food banks can normally stretch a dollar further than an individual due to bulk buying. Turkeys remain elusive. Buying in bulk is rarely an option, so the bank is always in great need of turkeys around the holidays.

St. Joseph’s Church of Cupertino started collecting canned goods and other food in October. For those wishing to help for $30 the church can provide a family with a basket of food that includes a turkey, eggs, produce and vegetable oil.

Second Harvest—located at 750 Curtner Ave. in San Jose has holiday hours in effect through year’s end—says not all families have the means to cook a full turkey, so suggests chicken and ham as alternative donations. To donate before Thanksgiving the lobby and docks are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., but closed on the holiday and through the weekend.

People interested in donating money or food can do so at www.shfb.org/donateonline, or call 866-234-3663 to make credit card donations over the phone during lobby hours.

They can also drop off food and goods at any Safeway or Whole Foods, where Second Harvest bins are set-up. Whole Foods located at 20955 Stevens Creek Blvd. is open Thanksgiving Day from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Berg urged those families looking to snag a coveted frozen turkey to act quickly, as the turkeys have already begun to be distributed. Berg said those in need of frozen and boxed food should call 800-984-3663. Operators speak English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, and will direct callers to the nearest active food bank, church, school or food bank participant.

"I think there’s something about the holidays that inspires people to give,” Berg said. “Nobody wants to see anyone go without a Thanksgiving meal, and we’re happy to be a part of it.”

WVCS, in partnership with Bowlmor Lanes in Cupertino, is hosting about 200 existing client families to a full Thanksgiving meal and free bowling, according to , director of community services. Meals will be served by local celebrities, and the lanes are open to the families to enjoy.

For those in need of a food basket or hot meal a list of locations and times provided by Second Harvest Food Bank is attached to this article.