This year and last, the ….

This year and last, the event was canceled, but the organization was not deterred.

An extra dose of emergency funding ensured Food Finders could purchase pallets of nonper ishable items to help fill in gaps and make sure pantries were stocked with the food that normally resulted from the drive.

Its fresh food rescue program is the meat and potatoes of what they do.

“What many people don’t realize is that we don’t just get food donated from restaurants; we are working with the produce mart in downtown L.A., grocers, hospitals, schools, caterers, event venues and distribution centers— basically anywhere with food overages.

“Last year, despite the drop in donations at the beginning of the year, we collected and distributed more than 16 million pounds of food,” Larson said.

The food gets taken directly to places like Casa Youth Shelter, Cypress Senior Center, Union Rescue Mission, Lighthouse Outreach Center, Boys and Girls Clubs, Long Beach Senior Center—more than 400 different partner nonprofits in all receive food on a regular basis.

But there’s much to be done still, as communities continue figuring out how to negotiate the uncertain future.

Food Finders’ services are crucial.

The good news is there are many ways you and others can help. Below are just a few:

• Volunteer to pick up and deliver food locally.

• Conduct a food drive and donate canned and other nonperishable pantry items.

• Donate monthly or one time, as a monetary supporter.

• Spread the word to friends and family to share about Food Finders’ good work.

Chronic hunger affects about 1 in 4 Californians, which includes people who are unemployed, low income and living in food deserts, according to Food Finders.

By engaging a huge network of volunteers, Food Finders is able to quickly scale and rescue enough food for 30,000 meals per day.

LWers can help by joining the effort to rescue thousands of pounds of perfectly edible food to redistribute to people who are unsure of where their next meals are coming from.

For more information, call Food Finders in Los Alamitos at (562) 283-1400 or visit www. FoodFinders.org.