By JULIE GALLANTAPRIL 2, 20209:30 AM
Feeding San Diego is responding to increased demands for free fresh produce and staples during the coronavirus pandemic by boosting supplies in areas such as Ramona where Free Farmers Markets have launched weekly drive-through distributions.
What used to be monthly Free Farmers Markets in Ramona have become weekly events at First Congregational Church of Ramona, Ramona Terrace Estates senior mobile home park, the Schmale Family Senior Apartments, Ramona Senior Center, and Capslo Nuevo Head Start day care center.
The weekly distributions at First Congregational Church of Ramona are held Fridays at 1:30 p.m. at 404 Eighth St. Volunteers and representatives of First Congregational Church of Ramona, Vista Hill SmartCare, Palomar Health, and Templo Monte Sinai Church in Ramona maintain COVID-19 social distancing requirements by pre-packing the free fresh produce and staples in bags and placing them in recipients’ car trunks as they drive through.
One of the Free Farmers Market’s leaders, Arthur Blanck, chair of the Mission Board of First Congregational Church of Ramona, said lines for last Friday’s food distribution service on March 27 formed up Eighth Street, continued around E Street and then down to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church at 537 E St.
Dana Williams, Feeding San Diego director of marketing and communications, said Feeding San Diego has delivered approximately 5,000 pounds of food for each monthly distribution, but last week the organization sent more than 10,000 pounds of food.
In a typical month, free food had previously been given to about 300 households, or roughly 1,000 individuals. Last Friday, though, the group served 522 families that drove by First Congregational Church to pick up food in addition to providing food for 227 seniors at Ramona Terrace Estates, the Schmale apartments and the Ramona Senior Center.
Blanck said the volunteers used to record the names of recipients, but now all that is required is to provide the number of households and number of members in each household so appropriate amounts of food are distributed.
“Our goal is that for everybody who stops by, we will give them food and we don’t have to turn anybody away,” said Blanck, who notes that recipients can also pick up food for friends, family members and neighbors in need. “But at the same time, we still have seniors we’re focusing on because they’re in their home and shouldn’t get out, so we make sure we’re providing for some of their needs as well.”
In addition to Ramona, Feeding San Diego offers food assistance at sites throughout San Diego County. The organization is increasing food supplied at its 10 Feeding East County rural mobile pantry distributions and will continue to increase the supply as needed to meet the fast-growing need in San Diego’s mountain and desert regions.
Feeding San Diego is funded by philanthropic contributions from individuals, foundations, corporations, and community organizations as well as government grants. More than 26 million meals are provided each year to people facing hunger.
Blanck said there has been no shortage of volunteers stepping up to help bag the produce and staples such as peanut butter, oatmeal, dried beans and salad dressing. He said last Thursday and Friday roughly 25 to 30 people, including First Congregational Church’s Youth Group members, helped to put the food in more than 1,000 bags. Others have donated, including Ramona Country Bakery sharing loaves of bread.
“Providing produce is important because it’s something healthy for people to eat and it gives them proper nutrients,” said Blanck, who appreciates the community’s support in getting the word out about the Free Farmers Markets through social media posts and promotions.
“I would like to take a moment to thank everyone who helped in the organization and promotion of the Free Farmers Market, as well as to those families and individuals who participated in the event and took home a bag or bags of food to their families and friends/neighbors in need,” Blanck wrote on the Love My Ramona Facebook page. “We are hosting another Free Farmers Market this coming Friday, and I would like to remind everyone that there are no requirements to receive food and that you are able to pick up food for family, friends or neighbors who cannot attend.”
To donate backyard produce or cash that can be used to purchase staples, or to volunteer, contact Blanck at agblanck@cox.net
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