Volunteers at the Orangevale Fair Oaks Food Bank Fall Community Food Drive, hosted at Divine Savior Church in Orangevale, have fun helping. Photo courtesy of Orangevale Fair Oaks Food Bank

ORANGEVALE/FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) - The Fall Community Food Drive is a movement with momentum and momentum comes from the group, not the individual alone.

Started in 2020 with one congregation following the big heart of one parishioner, the drive has grown to more than 50 organizations.

Each year, the community breaks the previous record, now at 30,000 pounds in 2024. Don’t miss your opportunity to add weight to another record-breaking event at the Orangevale Fair Oaks Food Bank.

Divine Savior Catholic Church, located at 9079 Greenback Lane, Orangevale, will again host the drive-through drop-off drive from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4. Most needed items are cereal, peanut butter, pasta, pasta sauce and ready-to-eat canned meals. Cash donations are welcome.

Hundreds of volunteers unload and sort food to music and good vibes. This year, two car clubs, the Sacramento Mustang Club and the Low Rider Commission, will also make deliveries and provide entertainment.

“What’s awesome this year, with so much awareness now, are the number of sponsors and individual donors,” said Marcus Arnold, the event founder who coordinates community partners alongside the food bank’s community outreach coordinator Jose Zambrano. “We ask, ‘Can you donate a case?’ and people are responding,” Arnold said.

Volunteers sort food at the Orangevale Fair Oaks Food Bank. Photo courtesy of Orangevale Fair Oaks Food Bank

One sponsor, Lindseys Olives, is donating cases of olives, thanks to a connection with a parent at Earl LeGette Elementary School.

“Right out of the gate this year, the schools have been really involved,” said Arnold.

Elementary school staff and middle school student councils are taking the lead, while Twin Lakes art students are creating promotional fliers.

The food bank currently serves 4,300 individuals, or 1,500 families, up from 2,700 families last year.

“Our need for staple foods is growing as well,” said Andrea Scollay, food bank director. “With so much going on in the world and everyday lives, we are offering a little hope and breathing room for these families.”

Since 2020, the drive has expanded beyond churches to civic clubs, scout troops, sports teams, park and recreation departments and local businesses. Last year, Orangevale Water Company began sharing fliers in bills, reaching more than 7,900 customers. This year’s greatest growth is in sponsors, school collections and interest clubs.

In a dedicated community circle, churches continue to join, including Radiant Church in Orangevale, relaunched and growing since 2023, and Celtic Cross Church in Citrus Heights.

“God willing,” said Arnold, “we will be directing a lot of traffic this year. The awareness is just blowing up.”

Be part of the momentum: share the message, invite others, fill a bag with staple foods and drive through the sixth annual Fall Community Food Drive on Saturday, Oct. 4.