County Fair 'Feed the Need' Food Drive Garners 29,745 Pounds of Food

An annual food drive held by the Alameda County Fair last week gathered enough resources to supply more than 30,000 meals at a local food bank, fair officials announced Tuesday.

Find out about new food and fair attractions by watching this video. 
 
The fair's "Feed the Need" food drive last Wednesday gathered a total of 29,745 pounds of canned and package food, which translates to 24,800 meals that can be served at Alameda County Community Food Bank, according to food drive coordinator Katherine Avila.
 
The food drive also collected $2,947.02 in monetary donations, which can fund 6,631 additional meals, Avila said. Attendees who donated four non-perishable items between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. last Wednesday received free admission to the fair in Pleasanton.
 
The annual food drive is the largest one-day summer food drive in the county, fair officials said. The donations come at a crucial time of the year when many children are on summer break and may only receive regular meals while school is in session, according to Avila.
 
The Alameda County Community Food Bank serves 49,000 people per week. Two-thirds of the food bank's beneficiaries are children and seniors.

—By Bay City News

2014 Alameda County Fair articles on Patch:

• This Week at the Alameda County Fair
  
• 4th of July Fair fireworks: How to Watch Fourth of July Fireworks in Pleasanton
• Scared of Heights? WATCH: Patch Editor Off the Ledge on County Fair Zip Line
  
• Cardinali's 'Spaghetti Ice Cream' Named Grand Champion of County Fair Food Competition
  
• This Week at the Alameda County Fair
• Alameda County Fair Kicks Off Exciting First Weekend of Horse Racing with Oak Tree Partners
• Alameda County Fair Takes Fair Food to Next Level with First Annual 'SNACKDOWN' Competition
• Alameda County Fair Promotes Education with Free Tickets for Elementary School Students