The Calaveras County Food Bank needs your help. With tightening state and local budgets and an increasing demand, the pantry relies on a generous community to keep the cupboards full.
To help keep the food bank full, the Human Resources Council, Inc. n which operates the pantry n and employees at the Starbucks coffee house in Angels Camp are set to “Rock Against Hunger” from 10 a.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday.
Billie Westernoff, program director for the food bank, said she serves between 550 and 600 families every month. “That´s families,” she stressed, “not individuals.
“Our resources have been down the last two years,” she added. “We rely heavily on local donations to keep the doors open.”
At the Rock Against Hunger, teams and individuals are collecting donations and pledges and will try to stay awake all night for the cause. “We got involved with the food bank before we even opened up,” said Starbucks´ Manager David Hurley. “We´ve adopted it as our primary charity.”
Cool drinks and hot coffee will keep the pulse pounding as participants dance the night away to the music of area musicians. Jason Buchanon will appear at 10 a.m. tomorrow.
Marilyn Shrouf, who by day is the business services director for the Calaveras County Office of Education, performs at 1 p.m. Westernoff said Shrouf sings just like Patsy Cline. “She has a beautiful voice,” Westernoff said.
From 3 to 7 p.m., Oakland Raiders cheerleader Melissa Cuneo will appear and sign copies of the Raiders´ 2004 calendar. At 5 p.m., Life After Tuesday performs and from 7 to 10 the rhythm section of Calaveras High School´s Jazz Etc. will entertain the crowd.
Westernoff said there will be snacks provided all day and at 5 p.m. a hot dog and chili feast will feed participants. Hurley said Starbucks will help keep the troops moving.
Those interested in joining the Rock Against Hunger may simply stop by, or call Westernoff at 754-1257. She said the person or team who collects the most will earn a $100 Starbucks gift certificate and the second-place fund-raiser gets a gift basket. Both were provided by an anonymous donor. A raffle will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday.
“There are some incredible prizes,” Westernoff said.
Calaveras Enterprise Story
This post was last modified on 01/31/2009 4:54 pm