Food Bank helps fight hunger

The line of cars zig-zagged through the streets surrounding The Truth Church parking lot on last Thursday for the Community Action Partnership of Kern food giveaway to help the residents of Shafter cope during this COVID-19 crisis.

Families drove into the parking lot and gave their information, then a box of food and produce was placed in the trunk of their vehicles.

The boxes contained potatoes, milk, break, fruit and vegetables, along with other staples. The CAPK runs a regular food giveaway each month in Shafter, doling out supplies and staples for families who need it. With the coronavirus pandemic, though, the organization decided to keep the assistance going, making sure the residents of Shafter have food to take care of their families.

According to Jaime Orona, program manager for the CAPK Food Bank, keeping Kern County residents fed is the top priority. "When this thing first broke, a few of the food banks and organizations got scared and stopped holding food pantry distributions. But, I have been hungry in my life and know what it is like to go without. I didn't want any kids or families to be without during this trying time."

Orona said that they are still receiving commodities from the federal government, including beans, cheese and rice, but with some of the produce, it was a little slower. "At first, it was challenging to get produce, milk and especially bread. But, we got responses from local suppliers who have been great and have supplied us with what we need."

CAPK Food Bank brought enough boxes for 300 families on Thursday, with another distribution planned for the end of the month. A day and time will be posted later in the month.

Angie Nelson, director of the Shafter Youth Center, said, "We couldn't do our regular distribution when they implemented the limit on gatherings because we held the distribution indoors. But, Jaime and the organization worked a way for us to keep the people of Shafter fed."