FIND Food Bank fights against childhood hunger
Four in five children qualify for free and reduced-price meals across the Coachella Valley school districts. That’s more than 55,000 local children, according to the California Department of Education.
The FIND Food Bank takes a stand against childhood hunger by partnering with schools across the valley, like Desert Ridge Academy. Student leaders there assist in the set up for monthly food distributions they call farmers markets. Students, regardless of need, are lined up and pick out nutritious food to take home with them.
“We always make sure that no one is left out of anything, and everyone is always included,” said Lexi, ASB president at Desert Ridge Academy. “Everyone has the same experience.”
“This isn’t about socioeconomic status. This isn’t about the have’s and the have-not’s. This is about providing healthy food for everyone because everyone, no matter who you are or where you come from can always do better with their eating habits,” said Brad Fisher, principal at Desert Ridge Academy. Fisher recently initiated a partnership between the school and the food bank, recognizing a need to provide access to healthy food for students, teachers and their families.
The same sentiment is shared at the Palm Desert campus of California State University San Bernardino, where they serve it up with dignity through their monthly food distributions.
“We’ve done this on campus a few times, and I’ve come to every single one of them. I’m a college student, so this is a great opportunity to get some free fruits and veggies for the family,” said Nicole Phillips, who is studying to become a special education teacher. She said there is no shame in needing affordable options for healthy food.
You have a chance to Step Up to the Plate for the FIND Food Bank. Watch CBS Local 2 on April 7 from 5 to 11 p.m. for our annual telethon, where you can pledge your donation to help provide food for those in need around the valley. Call (760) 775-FOOD (3663) or go to FINDFoodBank.org to donate.
If you are interested in attending a food distribution, you can find those locations here.
