As KSBY’s Season of Hope comes to a close, the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County says they’re overjoyed with the feedback they have received from the community.
“I’m here for 2.5 hours, I’ll go through maybe three of them. It’s a lot of food,” said Bob Kirker, a retired teacher, who has been volunteering with the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County for the past 14 years. “You just don’t realize how many people wake up in the morning that don’t have food. You think, ‘Oh, that’s impossible,’ but it’s true. It’s heartbreaking to me because I feel so lucky. I wanted to give back.”
The community has responded to the need.
“It’s amazing. I’m happy that people can do that. The ones that can do it, should do it. They’re lucky. They’re fortunate, especially in these times,” said Kirker.
With circumstances tougher this year for a lot of families, donations have meant a little more.
“This season, we’ve gotten quite a bit of response with food donations, volunteer time, money donations,” said Kelli Padilla, Foodbank of Santa Barbara Community Engagement Coordinator. “With COVID-19, people are unemployed right now, so that’s an even bigger reason for people to donate and to help us get out this food to the community.”
The need doesn’t stop here; there are hungry people 365 days a year.
“This is year-round. I come in three days a week and 90% of the time, there’s always something to do,” said Kirker.
The foodbank says more than 2,000 pound of food has been donated as part of KSBY's Season of Hope campaign.
