BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) \u2014 Are you ready for the holiday season? If you\u2019re looking to give back to the community, here are a few ways you can help.<\/p>\n
The annual Food and Ton of Toys Holiday Drive is back.<\/p>\n
Savannah Oates is the PR and Advocacy Manager, for CAPK, and she says, \u201cThe more food we get, the more food we get out. So we\u2019re expecting the community to show up, and we\u2019re hoping the community shows up to volunteer.\u201d<\/p>\n
CAPK tells me the need is here now more than ever.<\/p>\n
\u201cThings look different this holiday season. I would say more people are reaching out to us than ever. We saw that during the government shutdown, distribution \u2014 we passed out a million pounds of food in five days.\u201d Savannah Oates said.<\/p>\n
JJO Charities is teaming up once again with the Community Action Partnership of Kern Food Bank for its 6th annual Food and Ton of Toys Holiday Drive \u2014 collecting food and toy donations to help families across Kern County.<\/p>\n
Jimmy Olson with JJO Charities says, \u201cWe\u2019re trying to make sure every child smiles on Christmas morning. But more importantly, we\u2019re trying to make sure no child goes to bed hungry \u2014 and the statistics are really scary here, where one in three, one in four will go to bed hungry. And that breaks my heart.\u201d<\/p>\n
Not only are they looking for food donations, but you can also pitch in by volunteering at the Walmart on Gosford Road.<\/p>\n
Andy Foresburg, a local community member, tells me, \u201cI like to help out any way I can. So if I can donate a few items to help somebody, then hopefully they\u2019ll be blessed.\u201d<\/p>\n
CAPK serves thousands of local families \u2014 and says the need for food, toys, and warm clothes remains high. They\u2019re also holding a coat drive at their M Street location.<\/p>\n
The Food and Ton of Toys Drive runs through the 25th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. And the coat drive will continue through January.<\/p>\n
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