Join Newport Beach Residents in the Annual Walk to Feed OC with Second Harvest Food Bank: A Community Effort for Hunger Relief

On March 15, nearly 1,000 people from Orange County, including many from Newport Beach, came together at Tanaka Farms for the Walk to Feed OC. This event, organized by the Second Harvest Food Bank, aims to tackle food insecurity in the region.

Together, participants raised $222,834. This amount is enough to provide 11 truckloads of milk to families in need. Last year, Second Harvest worked with 286 partners to distribute food across 394 locations, helping an average of 442,000 people every month.

The 1.5-mile walk took participants alongside rows of ripe strawberries at the farm, creating a beautiful backdrop for the event. "This walk is a great way for families and communities to unite for those struggling with hunger in Orange County," said Claudia Bonilla Keller, the CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank. "We want to ensure everyone has access to nutritious food."

Salvador Ramirez, a Corporate Affairs Manager at Food 4 Less, also remarked on the day’s energy. Seeing families and local businesses walk together for this cause was uplifting. He emphasized that when people come together, genuine change is possible.

The vision of Second Harvest is clear: a community where everyone has enough food. They provide access to nutritious meals through a vast network, including schools, senior centers, and homeless shelters. In the fiscal year 2023-2024, they distributed over 35.8 million pounds of food, serving an average of 442,154 neighbors each month.

The issue of food insecurity affects many. Recent studies highlight that 1 in 10 people in Orange County struggle with accessing adequate food. This concern is not just local; it’s a part of a larger national issue, where food insecurity rates soared during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a rise in charitable activities and community support efforts.

For those looking to learn more about Second Harvest, visit Second Harvest Food Bank. Each step taken in awareness and fundraising adds to the fight against hunger, showing that collective effort leads to a stronger, healthier community.

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