SONOMA, Calif. (Nov. 21, 2016) - Sonoma Raceway is at full speed this holiday season, distributing more than 1,600 pounds of non-perishable food to Friends in Sonoma Helping (FISH) and the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank following the raceway's 16th annual Thanksgiving Food Drive.
This year's 1,632 pound donation brings the raceway's 16 year total to nearly 34 tons of non-perishable food items for area food banks. In addition, the raceway also collected $635 in cash donations for FISH.
"This is a sizable help. The Boy Scouts gave another large donation, so we really feel the community support," said Louise Bielfelt, who has volunteered for FISH since 1970. "We have just as much need as last year, and we're looking to fill 400 Christmas boxes for Sonoma families."
Sonoma Raceway was not alone in its efforts. It was joined in the food drive by RKA Motorcycle Luggage in Windsor, Innerstave, Falck/verihealth Inc., Levy Restaurants, the National Auto Sport Association, Sonoma Drift and Wednesday Night Drags participants and spectators, Pedroncelli Motorsports/Pedroncelli Mobile Bottling LLC, Save Mart and Lucky Supermarkets, Sonoma Market and Glen Ellen Village Market.
FISH (www.friendsinsonomahelping.org) has been helping Sonoma Valley residents in need since 1970 and provides not only food, but clothing, transportation and emergency rental assistance. Much of the food collected from the Food Drive will be used for Christmas food baskets for hundreds of Sonoma Valley residents.
The mission of the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank (www.sfmfoodbank.org) is to end hunger in San Francisco and Marin counties. Hunger is a serious problem in our community - with one in four children and adults at risk of hunger in San Francisco and Marin. The Food Bank distributes enough food for more than 100,000 meals each day. During an average week, their programs serve more than 30,000 households and, in total, the Food Bank provides food to 225,000 people each year. The San Francisco and Marin Food Banks will distribute 50 million pounds of food this year and more than 60 percent is farm-fresh fruits and vegetables.
"We're currently serving over 144,000 individuals each week and we expect even more people to turn to the Food Bank during the holiday season," said Mark Seelig, manager of public relations for the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank. "It's this time of year when we need to share the abundance of the holiday season. Now is the time to unite with the community to make a difference in the lives of your neighbors."
For more information about Sonoma Raceway community events, call 800-870-RACE (7223) or visit SonomaRaceway.com
