SF-Marin Food Bank donation barrels outside the Mill Valley Chamber office at 85 Throckmorton Ave.
From now through Dec. 28, the Mill Valley Chamber is joining hundreds or organizations across Marin to host a food drive to combat food insecurity, pledging to raise 400 pounds of mostly canned food for the SF-Marin Food Bank. Donations can be made at the Chamber’s office at 85 Throckmorton Ave. on the Throckmorton side of the Depot building downtown.
The San Francisco Chronicle‘s “Hidden Hunger” series seeks to document the plight of individuals and families in the Bay Area, where one in 10 residents earns too little to cover the cost of living, with 62 percent of those, earning too much to qualify for food stamps. As part of the series, the Chronicle recently profiled former Mill Valley preschool director Sheryl Boucher, who used to donate to the SF-Marin Food Bank and now picks up groceries from two of the organization’s nearby food pantries – inside the community room at the Hilarita Apartments in Tiburon and at Holy Innocents Episcopal Church in Corte Madera – each week, which she says has saved her hundreds of dollars.
Boucher also goes to a free lunch for Marin seniors every Friday. According to SF Marin Food Bank officials, even in one of the wealthiest U.S. counties, Boucher’s situation is not unique. One-third of seniors in Marin County live below the self-sufficiency standard of $27,000 per year to cover basic costs of living.
How can you help? Drop off your food donations at the Chamber, with an emphasis on pop-top cans and tear-open pouches of tune, chicken and salmon, as well as canned, low-sodium stews and chilis and nut butters. No pet food, glass containers or opened packages.
PLEASE DONATE WHAT YOU CAN!
The 411: From now through Dec. 28, the Mill Valley Chamber is hosting a food drive for the SF-Marin Food Bank, pledging to raise 400 pounds of mostly canned food. Donations can be made at the Chamber’s office at 85 Throckmorton Ave. on the Throckmorton side of the Depot building downtown. Questions? Call 415.388.9700 or email info@millvalley.org.