City-wide Food Drive Planned

More than 600 families in Murrieta are served weekly through area food banks.

To replenish and restock local food pantries, members of the Murrieta Stake of will join forces with and for an upcoming day of service.

From 8:30 am to noon Saturday, April 28, the churches are conducting a city-wide food drive. The day is planned as part of the annual effort: "Mormon Helping Hands-Serving Our Communities," said Kathryn Skaggs, a spokesperson for the Murrieta Stake, in a news release.

Hundreds of projects will take place April 28 throughout California, with more than 60,000 volunteers expected to participate.

"We would love for this to be one of the biggest food drives the city has ever seen," said Brian Connors, director of public affairs for the Murrieta Stake. "Our Saviour Jesus Christ was the perfect example of loving service. We want to follow His example. As our three faiths join forces in this effort to fight hunger, we feel a real Christian bond."

Those interested in helping are invited to meet at 8:30 a.m. the day of, at 24810 Monroe Ave., Murrieta.

"Volunteers will be placed into teams that will head out into the community to pick-up and request food donations from the public," Skaggs said. "Volunteers will also be needed to help sort and deliver donated items."

Prior to the day of service, Latter-day Saint youth will be hanging bright yellow donations bags on doors throughout Murrieta, notifying residents of the food drive.

The public was also encouraged to bring canned goods to the staging area at Murrieta Mesa the day of the event.

"Community food pantries are a critical necessity for many families who are struggling during the current economic crisis. As these numbers increase, concerns for meeting the needs looms," Skaggs said.

This is evident by the number of families—500—served each week by the Community Food Bank of Murrieta, which is operated by St. Martha's Catholic Church.

“The public think the needy only eat on holidays," said Maria Bhanukitsiri, Community Food Bank of Murrieta director. “We need community support, ongoing, in whatever way they can help. The Pantry is amazing because our volunteers are amazing. Everything is under the umbrella of God, or else we couldn’t do this."   

On a smaller scale, serving approximately 130 families each week, Murrieta United Methodist Church’s Food Pantry has the same concerns. Unique to this pantry is that, according to the church’s website: “Food is given to anyone who is in need with no residency requirement and no proof of income.”  

Kathy Pyle, who assists in the organization and running of the pantry, expressed her enthusiasm for this upcoming day of service. Total dependence upon the goodwill of the local community barely continues to keep the small community resource up and running, pantry management said.

Any dry or canned food items will be accepted, however, a list of recommended items for donation inlcude: dry beans or rice, canned beans, canned fruits, canned soups, canned tomatoes, canned tuna, canned vegetables, macaroni and cheese, oatmeal, peanut butter, spaghetti sauce, Top Ramen, toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, and baby diapers in sizes 4, 5 and 6.

Donors were asked not to bring food in glass containers or expired items.

Visit “Murrieta Mormon Helping Hands City-Wide Food Drive” Facebook page for more information.