The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is asking the community to donate non-perishable food items to provide healthy groceries to neighbors facing food insecurity this winter. Fill the Foodbank! on Saturday, Nov. 6 is the Foodbank’s semi-annual drive-through food drive.

Community members may drop off food items, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Foodbank’s Santa Barbara warehouse, 4554 Hollister Ave. (adjacent to the Ben Page Youth Center), or at the Trader Joe’s parking lot, 1303 S. Bradley Road, Santa Maria.

Items needed the most include low-sugar nut butters, canned protein such as tuna or chicken, beans, rice, whole grain cereals, pasta and canned tomatoes or sauce.

The Foodbank’s goal is to collect enough food to fill one large truck, or 40,000 pounds of healthy groceries. Using the drive-through model, those donating food do not have to get out of their cars. Foodbank volunteers will unload donated items, then send contributors on their way.

“With an especially difficult winter and holiday season expected for families and individuals living with food insecurity and low incomes, food assistance is a key element of staying healthy,” said Kelly Johnson, Foodbank community engagement and learning manager. “Dropping off a bag of food is an easy and very useful way to help ward off hunger for our neighbors in need this year.”

The Foodbank’s 2021 Turkey Drive runs now through Nov. 24 for Thanksgiving delivery, and into December for later holiday delivery. The Foodbank hopes to collect 3,000 turkeys or chickens for holiday dinners for those facing hunger.

Fresh or frozen turkeys or chickens may be dropped off, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Santa Barbara warehouse, 4554 Hollister Ave., or the Santa Maria warehouse, 490 W. Foster Road.

Other collection sites include the American General Media family of radio stations in Santa Maria,, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17 at Santa Maria Nissan/Mazda, 1001 E. Battles Road.

South County community members may also drop off turkeys at two Montecito churches, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday Nov. 21 at All Saints-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 83 Eucalyptus Lane, or Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, 1300 East Valley Road.

For more about Fill the Foodbank! and the Foodbank’s 2021 Turkey Drive, visit FoodbankSBC.org/GiveFood. To make a financial contribution, visit FoodbankSBC.org/VirtualFoodDrive21.

For more about the Foodbank, visit FoodbankSBC.org.