Community Corner

Fair-Goers Donated 13 Tons of Food During Canned Food Drive

Fair's one-day food drive, benefiting the Alameda County Community Food Bank, more than doubled the 2010 collection.

Alameda County Fair patrons donated more than 24,000 pounds of food Monday as part of a fair-sponsored canned food collection drive to benefit the Alameda County Community Food Bank.

That more than doubles last year's 10,000-pound collection, according to fair officials.

The amount of food collected will help the Food Bank distribute more than 18,000 meals to residents.

To achieve this year’s success, more than 7,000 guests donated at least four non-perishable food items, which earned them free admission to the fair, in addition to the satisfaction of helping those in need.

“We’re extremely grateful for the Alameda County Fair and the thousands of residents who coupled their day of fun with support for their neighbors struggling with hunger,” Michael Altfest, communications manager for the Alameda County Community Food Bank, said in a press release.

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“We’re currently serving one-in-six residents—including children, seniors and entire families—and the need is increasing."

In addition to the food drive, the fair raised more than $500 for the food bank through donations and its 99-cent ride promotion, during which guests could pay for carnival rides with a dollar and donate the extra penny to the food bank.

The Alameda County Fair is supporting the food bank with a number of other promotions during the summer:

 — On Saturday, the Alameda County Fair hosted a world-record attempt to create the largest hamburger. Patrons participated in the making of history by purchasing bites of the burger for 99 cents. The proceeds of each sale went to the Food Bank.

“99¢ Wacky Wednesdays” — Admission to the fair is just 99 cents before 3 p.m. on Wednesdays. Patrons who pay with a dollar can donate the extra penny to the food bank.

“We are absolutely thrilled with the thousands of people who enthusiastically supported the fair’s food drive to give back to their community, ” said April Mitchell, director of marketing at the Alameda County Fair.

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