United Way

‘It’s the right thing to do’: United Way drive-thru offers free meals

The Bakersfield Californian

It was a drive-thru, but nobody was required to hand over a $10 bill or fish out their last quarters from between their vehicle’s seats to pay up.

At lunchtime Sunday, United Way of Kern County distributed some 2,000 free meals to those hungry for food and hungry for a little love — there were stuffed animals for children — during its Holiday Hot Meal Distribution.

“It is in our best interest to address the needs of our families in Kern County, and we know a hot meal can go a long way for a family who struggles to bring food to their table,” United Way of Kern County President & CEO Mari Perez-Dowling said in a news release. “This year in addition to the hot meals, we will be gifting teddy bears to all children who come with their parents to our meal distribution. It’s the right thing to do and we are happy to spread our love and the holiday spirit to our community.”

The event at 18th and H streets in downtown Bakersfield was pulled off via partnerships with Fresco Mexican Grill, State Farm, No Kid Hungry and HealthNet. First about 1,000 meals were given to organizations to get to those they help, then another 1,000 were slated for families and individuals who came to a parking lot full of food and resource booths.

And no doubt there is a need: Kern County is one of the most food insecure regions, with 14.3 percent of the population lacking access to enough food for an active, healthy lifestyle, according to Feeding America.

To read the full article, click here.

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