Yom Kippur Food Drive Replenished Food Pantry Supply Post-Flood

LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA — A Yom Kippur Food Drive focused on those most severely in need has brought in over 6,000 pounds of food to the South County Outreach food pantry. The pantry, which received 6,071 pounds of food collected by multiple temples across Orange County during this year’s Yom Kippur food drive, will be able to help many families as a result of Orange County family and Jewish Community efforts.

The Reform Temple of Laguna Woods, Temple Beth El of Aliso Viejo, Temple Bat Yahm Reform, and Temple Judea of Laguna Woods all participated in the food drive, South County Outreach told us.

Each year, the Yom Kippur food drive helps support South County Outreach’s food pantry during the busiest time of the year, a spokesperson for the pantry said.

Since August, with recent flood damages to the Irvine pantry, the non-perishable food is more needed than ever. Spokeswoman Jacey Aldredge described the events of the August flood as "devastating."

"The flood was on Tuesday Aug. 14, it happened overnight, when a restroom pipe broke, and water flooded from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. The morning crew arrived to water pouring from the building," Aldredge told us. "We are currently on a limited distribution schedule, still helping between 40 and 60 families a day."

The pantry provides pre-packaged supplies to those in need, she said. They shop daily for perishables, fresh fruits and meats as their storage capacity is limited following the flood damage. Now, with over 100 families a day expected at the pantry in October, and more through the holidays, they are "definitely hoping to be back on track for donations," she said.

In 2018, South County Outreach is on track to distribute 1,000,000 pounds of food to hungry local families and individuals, despite setbacks from the nonprofit’s recent flood damage.

In addition to contributions from food drives and grocery-rescue efforts, the nonprofit is also working to stock the pantry with fresh vegetables, fruit, lean meats, milk and other dairy products through monetary donations.

“We do not yet have an estimate on the cost of the repairs. All of our flooring, drywall, cabinetry and pantry shelving have been impacted, but that can all be replaced," CEO Lara Fisher said. "Our goal is to re-open quickly to distribute food to those in need.”

The pantry assists 2,000 people a month with food and homeless prevention services. Please consider donating today: https://www.sco-oc.org/donation-form/

Did you know that South County Outreach provides hunger- and homelessness-prevention services to low-income individuals and families in crisis?

South County Outreach helps the under-employed and the unemployed reach self-sufficiency by providing the following services: food pantry, housing programs, eviction prevention, homelessness-prevention counseling, computer training and clothing from the Upscale Retail thrift store.

Based in Irvine, South County Outreach serves the communities of Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.

For more information, visit http://www.sco-oc.org.

The Irvine South County Pantry is located: 7 Watney in Irvine, Suite B 92618

Courtesy Photos, South County Outreach