News Summary
The Rotary Club of Coronado has launched the ‘Christmas in October!’ campaign to address food insecurity in Imperial Beach amid the government shutdown. This initiative aims to gather non-perishable food for the Imperial Beach Neighborhood Food Pantry, which serves over 200 residents monthly. With growing food insecurity affecting many local families, the campaign seeks 100% participation from local organizations in food drives throughout October to support those in need.
Coronado, California — The Rotary Club of Coronado has initiated a new campaign titled “Christmas in October!” to tackle food insecurity among residents of Imperial Beach, particularly in light of the ongoing government shutdown which started on October 1. This initiative acknowledges that while Santa may not be able to meet all needs, local organizations and community members can step in to help those who are struggling with food shortages.
The campaign aims to gather non-perishable food items to support the Imperial Beach Neighborhood Food Pantry, located at 455 Palm Avenue. This pantry plays a crucial role in the community by distributing food monthly to over 200 individuals, including low-income families, enlisted service members’ families, homeless individuals, and elderly residents. The need for assistance has become even more pressing as many service members affected by the government shutdown will not receive paychecks until the matter is resolved.
In 2022, approximately 29% of the population in Imperial Beach faced food insecurity, which indicates that around 7,500 to 7,800 residents were struggling in this area. This statistic aligns with broader trends observed nationwide, where 13.5% of U.S. households experience food insecurity, impacting roughly 47.4 million people including 13.8 million children. In California, about 8.8 million individuals, or more than one in five residents, also contend with similar challenges.
Last October, the Coronado Rotary, alongside various local service organizations, successfully delivered hundreds of pounds of food to the Imperial Beach community. Building upon this success, the Rotary Club is now urging other service-oriented organizations in the area to collaborate in broadcasting food drives throughout October.
As part of the campaign, the Rotary Club has set a goal for 100% participation from local organizations, making it easy for them to join in by organizing food drives. The collected items are requested to be delivered by October 30. The specific non-perishable food items sought include peanut butter, soups, broths, pasta, pasta sauce, mac and cheese, muffin mixes, jams, jellies, canned fruits and vegetables, meats, cereal, cooking oil, and cake mixes with frostings.
Organizations that wish to participate in or support the “Christmas in October!” campaign can reach out to Rotary Past President Pat Starke at 816-591-0696 or through email at [email protected]. Additionally, collected food can be dropped off at 1500 Ynez in Coronado for the Rotary to handle distribution.
Participating groups include the Coronado Optimist Club, Coronado Soroptimist Club, Coronado United Methodist Church, Safe Harbor Coronado, and FOCUS Coronado. Community engagement is essential for this campaign to succeed, as the need for food assistance is more prevalent than ever, especially for families with young children.
For those needing additional information about the Imperial Beach Neighborhood Food Pantry, details can be found on their official website. This initiative aims to foster community support and solidarity during a time of hardship, ensuring that no resident goes hungry.
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Additional Resources
- Coronado Times: Christmas in October – Coronado Rotary
- Wikipedia: Food Insecurity in the United States
- La Jolla Mom: San Diego Holiday Events
- Google Search: Food Pantries in California
- Patch: Where to Eat on Christmas Eve & Day in San Diego
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Food Pantry
- Axios: Holiday Pop-Up Bars in San Diego
- Google News: Food Insecurity California
- La Jolla Mom: Hotel Del Coronado
Author: STAFF HERE CORONADO
The Coronado Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HERECoronado.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Coronado, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Coronado Island Film Festival, productions at Lamb’s Players Theatre, community workshops at John D. Spreckels Center, and iconic celebrations at Hotel del Coronado. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Coronado Chamber of Commerce and Visit Coronado, plus leading businesses in hospitality, dining, and tourism that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERESanDiego.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
