The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County will host its first Lompoc Family Fiesta, 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, at Lompoc High School, 515 W. College Ave. Healthy groceries and fresh produce will be distributed to community members who have a need for supplemental food.
The event will include activities for kids, a bookmobile, music, free kids’ dental supplies, a free raffle, free breakfast tacos and burritos from Super Grill, and free Starbucks coffee (both while supplies last). All are welcome to attend and no paperwork is required to participate.
“The Foodbank’s Mobile Food Pantries distribute healthy food at easily accessible locations in neighborhoods that are identified as high-need throughout Santa Barbara County,” said Jamie Diggs, the Foodbank’s partner services manager. “Each month, we provide nutritious groceries and fresh produce to around 300 families at Lompoc High School.
“For the Lompoc Family Fiesta, we’re using a trauma-informed approach by offering lots of community resources to support families with needs that often go hand-in-hand with food insecurity.”
Recipes and prepared food samples made with fresh fruits and vegetables that will be available as part of the distribution will be provided by Foodbank Board member Christine Bisson, along with Hancock culinary students from Allan Hancock College. Bisson is an assistant professor of food science, nutrition and culinology at Hancock College.
Lompoc Mayor Jenelle Osborne is expected to attend as well.
Also on tap for the event:
La Ley Radio (KRQK 100.3FM) will offer music, with family and childrens activities provided by Lompoc Parks and Recreation. Lompoc’s Charlotte’s Web Mobile Children’s Library will provide kids with books and reading support.
CaliDental will give out free kids’ dental supplies. Community Health Centers, Healthy Lompoc Coalition and Santa Barbara County Public Health’s Lompoc Healthcare Center will check participants’ vital signs free of charge.
The Public Health Department will offer Rethink Your Drink education and games that teach about the negative health effects of sugary sodas and encourage healthier beverage choices.
Free tacos and breakfast burritos from Super Grill, and free Starbucks coffee, will be available while supplies last. Raffle prizes will include Walmart and Starbucks gift cards, gas cards, laundromat prizes.
Attendees can visit stations to learn more about services available from Allan Hancock College, CaliDental, CenCal Health, Community Action Commission, Community Health Centers, Domestic Violence Solutions, Family Service Agency, Healthy Lompoc Coalition, Immigrant Hope (low cost legal services for immigrants), Importa Immigration Legal Services.
Also, Listos (disaster preparedness), Lompoc Fire Department, SAFTY (Safe Alternatives for Treating Youth — crisis intervention for youth), Santa Barbara County Education Office, Santa Barbara County Public Health Department – Lompoc Healthcare Center, Transitional Mental Health, United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County, Lompoc Unit, YMCA.
The Foodbank thanks community sponsors for the Lompoc Family Fiesta: CoastHills Credit Union, Hope and Heal Fund: The Fund to End Gun Violence, and The Fund for Santa Barbara.
The community can support the Foodbank’s critical work in Lompoc by attending Lompoc Empty Bowls, Saturday, March 28, at Dick DeWees Community and Senior Center. Seatings are at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Purchase tickets at donate.foodbanksbc.org/LEB2020.
For more about the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, visit www.foodbanksbc.org.