Benitez later provided a breakdown of those Santa Paulans served by age category: 0-4 years of age, 913; 5-10 years of age, 1,499; 11-15, 1,041; 16-18, 588; 19-59, 3,158; and age 60 and older 478, excluding those who already participate in the Brown Bag program.FOOD Share’s Santa Paula partners are the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley, CASP (Community Assistance of Santa Paula), Santa Clara Valley Neighborhood for Learning, Services United, and St. Vincent De Paul/St. Sebastian Church. “We are always trying to reach more people,” and Benitez said FOOD Share needs “partners to accomplish this.”FOOD Share headquarters are located in Oxnard. For more information call983-7100 or visit the website, www.foodshare.com.
FOOD Share and its Santa Paula partners feed the hungry
June 17, 2009
Santa Paula News
FOOD Share is helping to feed the hungry, and there are an increasing number of people in need, according to Jeanne Benitez, development manager of FOOD Share, Inc.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesFOOD Share is helping to feed the hungry, and there are an increasing number of people in need, according to Jeanne Benitez, development manager of FOOD Share, Inc. Benitez commented on the rising numbers of hungry at a recent Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Good Morning Santa Paula, held at Logsdon’s at the Airport.“We currently work with six different distribution partners in Santa Paula,” and Benitez said FOOD Share “is always looking for other 501C3 non-profits to work with us to help feed the hungry.” The FOOD Share Brown Bag for Seniors serves 104 Santa Paulans each week by providing supplemental bags of groceries.Benitez noted there are 68 females and 36 males on the program, with 33 of the bags being home delivered, “and this helps 87 different households.” FOOD Share’s other five Santa Paula partners make up the balance of the service to a whopping 7,677 other individuals.“You can clearly see that there is a great need in your community and FOOD Share is here to assist,” said Benitez. “I think the most urgent need is with the children and our service numbers reflect this need,” as well as the needs of those in the 19-59 age category, a reflection “that working poor families cannot make ends meet.”
