Signal Tribune Newspaper

Stephanie Raygoza
Staff Writer

It’s the season of giving to those less fortunate, and for Food Finders, Inc., a multi-regional food bank that helps provide daily meals to more than 280 agencies and shelters throughout Southern California, one of the busiest times of year. Despite the hectic holiday season, Food Finders is actually operating with greater ease and functionality thanks to their new location at 2301 E. 28th St., suite 303 in Signal Hill.
Interim executive director Patti Larson said the move from their previous location on Atlantic Avenue in Long Beach to the big warehouse space they now occupy, has made it much easier for donors and volunteers to access their office and food drop-off site. They also decided to close Finders Keepers, a retail extension of the food bank that offered furniture and other home goods to the public, when the staff realized it was becoming difficult to maintain hours and generate a profit. Both changes have allowed the nonprofit organization to function more efficiently as a food bank facility.
“It’s advantageous just as far as the location, and we’re visible from the streets,” Larson said. “As far as physically and logistically, it’s worked out really well.”
The warehouse has provided the staff with several new features, including racks to sort items and produce, a staging area for volunteers, refrigerators located on one level, and a roll-up warehouse entrance for trucks and other vehicles.
“It’s just been an overall win for us,” said Diana Lara, vice president of operations. “A lot of agencies that we service can’t go to Albertson’s or Ralph’s on their own so it takes a larger agency like ours that can handle multiple locations.”
As for the volume of donations coming in this year, Lara said the community support and involvement has been overwhelming. Numerous businesses and banks are serving as drop-off locations collecting items in support of the holiday drive that ends Dec. 31. In addition to produce, hygiene products and pet items, the organization is also accepting toys for ages 1 to 18, gift cards and monetary donations, and turkeys or hams for holiday meals.
Arlene Mercer founded Food Finders in 1989 with the vision of eliminating hunger and food waste, while improving nutrition in the communities they serve. Mercer, concerned with the amount of food being thrown away rather than donated by local food merchants and grocers, partnered with local vendors to serve the shelters that were in need of wholesome food to feed needy and impoverished families, children and elderly.
Since then, the food bank has grown to nine employees and more than 300 volunteers, ranging from stay-at-home-moms, seniors, and the recently retired to youth groups. To date, they have rescued more than 87 millions lbs. of food, with this year’s goal set at 70,000 lbs.
“People can’t function unless they can be healthy,” Larson said. “It’s a way to help your community in one of the most basic ways that you can help someone.”
Donors can drop off donations at the Signal Hill location or visit the website to see a full list of suggested items and drop-off locations.

More Information
foodfinders.org