The Ventura County Harbor Department is teaming up with the Harbor & Beach Community Alliance (HBCA) to spread holiday cheer this season by hosting the 2nd Annual Holiday Food & Toy Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on December 4, 2021, at Fisherman’s Wharf.
The Holiday Food & Toy Drive will benefit Food Share of Ventura County and the Spark of Love Toy Drive, an annual effort coordinated by local fire departments, which provided toys to more than 6,000 children last year.
On the day of the event, donations will be accepted at a drop off location at Fisherman’s Wharf, located on the southwest corner of Victoria Avenue and Channel Islands Boulevard in Oxnard. No-contact masked and gloved volunteers will be there to safely accept the donations and provide them to Food Share and the Spark of Love Toy Drive.
The goal is to raise a “boat load” of food and toys. In addition, money donations to Food Share will be matched up to $10,000 and donations can be made now via text WHARF to 41444 or go to this link to donate: https://app.mobilecause.com/form/gHVTMA?vid=e01hs or cash and checks may be written to “Food Share of Ventura County” and dropped off on December 4th.
Items Needed
The drive will include both food and toy donations to double the spirit of the holidays.
According to Food Share, the top five most needed food items are: canned tuna, chicken, and salmon; cereal (non-sugar types); beans (dry and canned); rice (in 1lb-2lb bags or mixes; and peanut butter, but all non-perishable food items are welcome.
If you want to donate toys, bring new, unwrapped toys and/or sports equipment that will “spark” happiness during the holidays.
About the Holiday Food & Toy Drive
The 2nd Annual Holiday Food & Toy Drive is a partnership between the Ventura County Harbor Department and the Harbor & Beach Community Alliance. In its first year, the food and toy drive efforts resulted in the collection of 5,000 lbs. of non-perishable food, money donations of nearly $14,000, and 2,200 toys were collected.
“We couldn’t be more pleased to partner with community members to co-host an event that will help support so many families during the holiday season,” said Michael Tripp, Ventura County Harbor Department Director. “We encourage everyone to join us at Fisherman’s Wharf in the spirit of giving and holiday cheer.”
HBCA member Rene Aiu said the event is a perfect opportunity for the beach and harbor communities to step up and extend a hand to those in need this holiday season.
“Many families and children across Ventura County have been impacted by the coronavirus. We hope, those who are able, will generously share and donate to make this holiday a bit better for these families and children,” Aiu said.
Jed Chernabaeff, Public Information Officer
County of Ventura – Harbor Department
3900 Pelican Way L5200
Oxnard, CA 93035-4367
Office: (805) 973-5928
Cell: (805) 857-8713
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