On Wednesday, September 27, anyone who donates six canned or non-perishable food items to the Feed the Need Food Drive will receive free admission to the Kern County Fair.
Feed the Need is an annual canned and non-perishable food drive organized by the Kern County Fair and the Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK). The offer for free admission into the fair is only valid tomorrow but will be valid all day. Admission to the fair includes admission to the evening concert, featuring 38 Special — a classic Southern rock band.
According to a press release sent out by CAPK, food insecurity, and childhood hunger are significant issues in Kern County.
“Despite being the top agricultural-producing county in the U.S., Kern County is also one of the most food-insecure regions in the nation. In 2020, 14.3% of adults in Kern County experienced food insecurity, compared to 9.1% in California and 10.5% nationwide,” the press release stated. “More than one in five children in Kern County don’t know where their next meal will come from, highlighting the critical need for this food drive more important than ever.”
All food items collected from the Feed the Need Food Drive will be distributed to local food pantries and commodity sites at locations like churches and neighborhood community centers. Unlike Food Bank distribution sites, which are USDA-funded, local food pantries and commodity locations depend on the generosity of the community to provide food to their neighbors in need.
One free admission is granted when six non-perishable items are brought in. CAPK is also giving people the opportunity to help create a difference by allowing volunteers to help count and organize food cans as the community comes in through every entrance.
Volunteering is split into three different shifts: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m..
