Thirty percent of food drive donations end up in trash

Did you know your monetary donations go farther than your canned goods?

“Every piece of item has to be physically inspected by human hands for food safety,” said Lisa Houston, CEO of FIND Food Bank, which serves the eastern half of Riverside County. “Unfortunately, for every food drive, about 30 percent of everything that comes in ends up in the trash because it no longer meets food safety.”

When cash is donated, instead of crackers, cookies or canned items that are high in sodium, the food bank can purchase an exponentially larger amount of produce. That makes a huge difference to your friends and neighbors in need.

“We set up what’s called our Senior’s Farmers Market, and by the time the doors open at 8 o’clock, there’s a line out the door,” Ginny Foat, executive director of the Mizell Senior Center, told CBS Local 2’s and KESQ News Channel 3’s Katie Widner.

The center recieves a shipment from FIND every Thursday. Foat said the food bank is a lifesaver to many people in the Coachella Valley. Houston said it is the regional outlet for more than 100 organizations that feed the needy. She added that every dollar that is donated can create seven healthy meals.

According to the food bannk’s website, food insecurity is not just an issue during the holidays. Every month throughout the year FIND Food Bank and its partners distribute food assistance to an average of 90,000 people.

If you are interested, you can help FIND feed the hungry with a simple text message. Text “FIND” to 20222 to donate $10.