Alameda County Employees Break Food Donation Record

--Shared by Alameda County

LIVERMORE, CA - Alameda County employees have again displayed remarkable creativity and compassion by smashing the County’s all-time record for donations of food and cash to its annual holiday food drive – and by creating compelling displays with food packages, cans and boxes focusing on the theme of eliminating hunger in the community.

The record-breaking campaign is part of Alameda County’s Third Annual Stone Soup Holiday Food Drive and Design Competition, which has raised more than $13,450 in cash and 6.5 tons in donations of nonperishable food items for the Alameda County Community Food Bank to help fight hunger during the holiday season. The cash donations alone can be converted by the Food Bank into nearly $80,000 worth of food supplies to help feed the hungry.

“Once again, our Alameda County employees have shown through generosity that they are truly committed to public service and making our community a better place,’’ said Susan S. Muranishi, Alameda County Administrator. “When we mobilize our 9,600 employees, we really can make a difference.’’

On December 1, the Board of Supervisors presented awards to 13 County departments for their contributions to the Food Drive. Top awards were based on total donations raised and most creative use of food in displays.

Winning displays included:

“Picture a World Without Hunger,’’ an interactive photo booth created by the Registrar of Voters Office that allows passersby to post for free “selfie’’ photographs that can be emailed and posted to social media to get the word out about food insecurity and community efforts to end it.

“Starve Wars,’’ a “Star Wars”-themed display by the Information Technology Department that includes R2D2 with a rotating head, a short video story and a direct message: “May the Food Be with You.’’

Four displays with Golden State Warriors themes that incorporate the local team’s championship run in 2015 to inspire residents to the cause of ending hunger. The displays also utilize the team’s slogan, “Strength in Numbers,’’ to underscore how a collective community effort can erase food insecurity.

The Food Drive is inspired by an old folk story, “Stone Soup,’’ which celebrates generosity and collaboration amid difficult times, especially in times of scarcity. The moral is that by working together, with everyone contributing what they can, a greater good is achieved.