Sonoma County Vintners Foundation and Redwood Empire Food Bank Partner to Host Drive-Thru Food Distribution for Hospitality Workers

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (June 8, 2020) – In continuation of a long partnership, the Redwood Empire Food Bank and Sonoma County Vintners Foundation will host a food distribution site specifically for furloughed hospitality workers. Individuals who have been faced with reduced wages or who have lost their job at a winery, hotel, restaurant, winegrower, or other hospitality organization are encouraged and invited to participate in this food distribution. A drive-thru site, hosted by Sonoma County Vintners Foundation and Redwood Empire Food Bank staff, will be available from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on June 12.

“It is incredibly unfortunate the number of hospitality workers who have been impacted by the pandemic. We are honored to partner with the Redwood Empire Food Bank, who has provided an incredible resource to our community since 1987, to provide an additional location for food distribution,” says Sonoma County Vintners Foundation Executive Director Michael Haney. “Last year the Redwood Empire Food Bank served one in six people in Sonoma County and now their service is more essential than ever. We hope those who have been impacted in our community participate in this initiative.”

Individuals who arrive at the drive-thru location will have their car trunks loaded with a variety of provisions purchased from farmers and supplied through the USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) via the Redwood Empire Food Bank. Food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Individuals are invited without a need to register in advance or provide proof of their previous employment.

“We know it’s a challenging and difficult place to be, to ask for food,” said David Goodman, Redwood Empire Food Bank’s CEO. “You’ve been serving us for so many years, now please let us serve you.”

The distribution station in the American AgCredit parking lot is located at 400 Aviation Blvd, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. American AgCredit has a long history supporting Redwood Empire Food Bank and their mission to increase food security in their community.

To learn more about the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation visit https://sonomawine.com/sonoma-county-vintners-foundation/.

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About Sonoma County Vintners Foundation

The Sonoma County Vintners Foundation provides support to our local community through philanthropy and charitable giving. Our fundraising efforts have a direct impact in the areas of literacy, education, health and human services, the environment and arts and culture. Our signature fundraising event, Sonoma County Wine Auction has been recognized as one of Wine Spectator’s Top Charity Wine Auctions in the United States. Learn more at SonomaWine.com/Foundation.

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About Redwood Empire Food Bank
The Redwood Empire Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization serving north coastal California from Sonoma County to the Oregon border. Since 1987, the Redwood Empire Food Bank has provided food and nourishment to those facing hunger—serving more than 100,000 children, families and seniors in Sonoma, Mendocino, Humboldt, Del Norte and Lake Counties. With over 250 direct service distributions, and 170 partnerships with other hunger-relief organizations, all residents facing food insecurity have access to 450 weekly and monthly distribution sites across the five counties. Visit www.refb.org or call (707) 523-7900 to learn more.

About American AgCredit
Founded in 1916, American AgCredit specializes in providing financial services to agricultural and rural customers throughout California, Colorado, Hawaii, New Mexico, Nevada, Kansas and Oklahoma, as well as to capital markets customers in all 50 states. We serve customers through 34 branch offices located throughout the Western and Midwestern states, with corporate headquarters based in Santa Rosa, California.

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Facebook: @AmericanAgCredit
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Twitter: @AmericanAg