News Summary
The Rotary Club of Coronado is organizing the second annual “Christmas in October!” food drive on October 30. This event aims to collect non-perishable food items for the Imperial Beach Neighborhood Center Food Pantry, which serves hundreds of food-insecure individuals. Local organizations are encouraged to participate and conduct their own food drives to support this essential initiative during the holiday season.
Coronado residents are gearing up for the second annual “Christmas in October!” food drive on October 30, 2023. Organized by the Rotary Club of Coronado, this initiative aims to deliver essential non-perishable food items to those in need at the Imperial Beach Neighborhood Center Food Pantry. Last year, community participation resulted in the donation of hundreds of pounds of food to support food-insecure neighbors in the Imperial Beach area.
The food pantry, located at 455 Palm Avenue, provides free food distributions to over 200 individuals each month. This includes low-income families, elderly adults, and homeless individuals. The ongoing challenge of food insecurity affects a significant portion of the population; according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about 13.5% of households nationwide are food-insecure, impacting approximately 47.4 million people and 13.8 million children. In California, roughly 8.8 million residents face food insecurity, representing more than 1 in 5 Californians.
In Imperial Beach, the situation is particularly acute, with about 29% of the local population estimated to be food-insecure in 2022. This figure translates to roughly 7,500 to 7,800 individuals needing assistance.
The Rotary Club of Coronado is calling for further participation from local service organizations to continue supporting this essential initiative. Organizations that have already committed to the event include the Coronado Optimist Club, Coronado Soroptimist Club, Coronado United Methodist Church, Safe Harbor Coronado, and FOCUS Coronado. Interested organizations are encouraged to join the effort by conducting their own food drives in October and coordinating their deliveries with Coronado Rotary.
Food donations are requested to focus on non-perishable items such as peanut butter, soups, pasta and pasta sauce, canned fruits, vegetables, canned meats, cereal, cooking oil, and holiday baking items. Donations can also be dropped off at 1500 Ynez in Coronado for delivery to the food pantry. The coordination of these drives and deliveries will take place ahead of the October 30 event.
The Imperial Beach Neighborhood Center Food Pantry plays a vital role in the community by striving to combat food insecurity through its essential services. The Rotary Club of Coronado, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization chartered in 1926, consists of over 250 members and is part of a larger global network of Rotary clubs aimed at community service and assistance.
Community involvement in local food drives is essential, especially as we approach the holiday season. By participating in “Christmas in October!”, residents can directly impact the lives of those experiencing food insecurity in Imperial Beach.
For more information regarding the Imperial Beach Neighborhood Center Food Pantry, individuals can visit their website. Further details about the Rotary Club of Coronado and their initiatives can be found on their official site.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- Coronado News
- Google Search: food insecurity USA
- Disney Tourist Blog
- Wikipedia: Food insecurity in the United States
- NBC San Diego
- Encyclopedia Britannica: food security
- San Diego Magazine
- Google News: Christmas events San Diego
- Fox 5 San Diego
- Google Scholar: community service
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.
