Local FB group, Palm Springs restaurant holding food drive for LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) - With tens of thousands of valley residents struggling right now to put food on the table due to the delay of federal benefits, members of a Palm Springs Facebook group have launched a food drive to help.

The large Facebook community "Gay Men of Palm Springs" has teamed up with Saffron restaurant in Palm Springs to gather donations.

Many bags of food have already been delivered.

The Community Food Bank at the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert will receive the donations.

As News Channel 3 has reported, food banks across the valley have had an influx of clients during the government shutdown.

Organizers of the food drive say it's important for everyone to help the community.

Gay Men of Palm Springs Member Jordan Muñoz says, The food banks are running on empty. So every initiative, every can of food, every box of cereal is going to a hungry family in need."

News Channel 3's Peter Daut spoke with Muñoz to get more information on the food drive and how to get involved.

Food can be dropped off from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Saffron, located at 1107 North Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs.