Augustine Casino Kicks Off Food Drive

COACHELLA – Augustine Casino is kicking off it’s annual canned food drive to benefit Martha’s Village and Kitchen.

“They have a constant need for food and so we’re collecting canned goods here, so any vegetables, any non-perishables you want to bring down to the casino,” says Jon Willett with Augustine Casino.

Food bins and signs have been placed in the casino to encourage people to donate. Given the turnout from the first canned food drive last year, they’re looking to reach their goal this year, especially since Martha’s Village is expecting more than2,000 families to line up for food boxes. Double the number from the year before. The donations will help feed Coachella Valley families in time for the Christmas Holiday.

“Hugely successful. We actually had an entire trailer full of canned good delivered last year. We expect at least that much this year,” Willett says.

“I think that with the support of all the community at large, we’ll be able to meet our need and that’s our goal to make sure that we get enough food for everyone and one turkey for every single family. The other thing we need also is a lot of roast beef to have for our Christmas celebration here,” says Gloria Gomez, co-founder of Martha’s Village and Kitchen.

She alsosays the economy has not only caused an increase of needy people coming to the food bank, but a decrease in the amount of donations for this holiday season.

“We have a 110% increase in asking for, especially canned food right now…we have a 40% decreasein donations as well so we really need donations coming in to keep our doors open.

The canned food drive runs until December 18th. Distribution will take place on the morning of Monday, December 21st.