It is hard to imagine that families in Marin are going hungry, but they are.  We have begun hearing that the Marin Food Bank now has more than double the number of families needing their support this year. I have been told that in June of this year, the Marin Food Bank was providing food for approximately 1,200 people – three meals a day.  By October, that number had risen to nearly 3,000 people.  In response, Pacific Union’s Greenbrae office has kicked off a Peanut Butter and Jelly drive.  When I first heard about it, I can honestly say I was a little skeptical.  PB&J?  How will that help the hungry?

Over the last week, I have heard stories from a few of my coworkers who, as kids, went to school hungry and had to use the services of a food bank or a “soup kitchen”.  They have said that even if all they had had was a P&J sandwich to split between breakfast and lunch, going to school would have been so much easier than going to school so hungry.  The food provided at places like Marin Food Bank literally changes peoples lives.

Favorite foods of the children are macaroni and cheese, green beans, peanut butter, jelly, canned chili – – easy-to-prepare, nutritious foods that the little ones will eat.  The food bank is also in need of paper bags with handles and egg cartons.  The paper bags are used to distribute food.  Egg donations come in bulk.  The egg cartons provide a safe and easy way to distribute the eggs.

My office attempting to get as much PB&J to the Marin Food Bank as possible.  This year is a challenging year for many of us, but most of us don’t ever have to worry about having actual food on the table.  For about six dollars, a large jar of peanut butter and a large jar of grape jelly can be purchased at Costco (we will be buying in bulk).  If you have a few dollars to spare, please make a contribution to our drive.  You can drop off PB&J, a check or other canned goods (non-perishable) at the Greenbrae office at 189 Sir Francis Drake in Greenbrae or contact me and I can arrange pick up.  Don’t forget to drop off your paper bags with handles as well!

Additionally, you can also donate food directly by dropping canned goods at the Big Turkey display at the Town Center Mall in Corte Madera, or at food donation boxes in West America Banks and Safeway stores.  Cash contributions can also be made online with the Marin Food Bank.

Every little contribution, even six dollars, makes a significant difference to people living in our community.