'Overwhelming Turnout' For Santa Rosa Food Drive For Evacuees

SANTA ROSA, CA — UPDATED, 12:45 p.m. Nov. 1: Due to an overwhelming turnout at Friday's Food Donation and Distribution event for Santa Rosa residents impacted by the Kincade Fire and/or PG&E shutoffs, the city of Santa Rosa advised at 11:49 a.m. Friday that an overflow parking area has been established.

" ... In order to help alleviate current traffic congestion on West College Avenue, residents attending for food distribution should park at the Utilities Field Operations Building Parking lot at 35 Stony Point Road, Santa Rosa, 95401," said city spokesperson Adriane Mertens.

Those dropping off donations for the event should continue to drive directly to the Fire Department Training Tower at 2126 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa.

"Donations will be accepted through 2 p.m. [Friday, Nov. 1]," Mertens said via email.

ORIGINAL POST: The City of Santa Rosa, in partnership with ROC Sonoma County, Redwood Empire Food Bank, Community Action Partnership and Santa Rosa Firefighters Local 1401 are offering another joint food donation and distribution event Friday, Nov. 1 for Santa Rosa residents impacted by Kincade Fire evacuations and the recent PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff.

The first two hours of the event, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., are for collecting food donations from the public. Drop-off is at the Santa Rosa Fire Department Training Tower, 2126 W. College Ave. in Santa Rosa. Items requested include: milk, eggs, cheese, butter, bread, coffee creamer, condiments, salad dressing, juice, bottled water, fresh fruit, non-perishables, and pet food for dogs and cats.

The next three hours, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., are for distribution of the donated food. Santa Rosa residents impacted by the shutoff and/or the evacuations are only asked to bring personal bags or boxes to the pick-up location at Santa Rosa Fire Department Training Tower, 2126 W. College Ave. in Santa Rosa.

According to a city news release Thursday evening, volunteers are needed for shifts Friday, Nov. 1 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. To volunteer for this event, contact Emily Thiessen at ethiessen@srcharities.org, or Jennielynn Holmes at jholmes@srcharities.org or 707-800-2372.

A similar food donation and distribution event was held Thursday at the Finley Community Center and drew over 1,000 residents —some who brought donations, others who came to replenish their food supply.

"Today’s attendance – and the fact that residents in some areas of the City remained without power still today – has informed City officials and non-profit partners that a second event is necessary to continue to support community needs," said Adriane Mertens, spokeswoman for the city of Santa Rosa.

Mayor Tom Schwedhelm said "Santa Rosa is all about neighbors helping neighbors – we saw it after the 2017 fires, and we are seeing it now after the events of the last 10 days."

"Members of our community have been without power for multiple days, and some have had their power shutoff for the second or third now time this month," Schwedhelm said. "It’s a burden for many to replenish food lost after these outages, and some residents also need extra help if they experienced lost wages or other impacts as a result of the evacuations. This event is a way to provide a space for people to give back directly to fellow Santa Rosans experiencing hardship following the recent challenges faced by our community."

Alternate food distribution locations are being hosted by the Redwood Empire Food Bank and are listed on the City of Santa Rosa’s website.