East County realtor in his 16th year of holiday food drive

Alpine realtor Jeff Campbell of Jeff Campbell & Associates has launched his 16th annual Gift Bag Drive, Campbell’s own holiday food drive that will benefit several food pantries serving low-income residents of Alpine and nearby Mountain Empire communities. Campbell founded the charity effort in 1998.

The public is encouraged to deliver canned or boxed foods to the offices of The Alpine Sun newspaper, 2144 Alpine Blvd., through Friday Dec. 20. Items needed for the food drive include canned meats, canned fruits, canned vegetables and soups, along with peanut butter, rice, pasta, mac and cheese, dry cereal and infant formula. Cash donations also will be accepted. If you would like to donate or learn more about the Gift Bag Drive, call (619) 445-3322 or (800) 782-5510 or visit www.GiftBagDrive.com.

In 2012, Campbell said the food drive collected nearly 500 cases of food that stocked pantries operated by the Alpine Food Bank, Queen of Angels Catholic Church, YMCA, East County Boys and Girls Club and Salvation Army. Over the years, Campbell said more than 10,000 grocery bags of food items have been donated to dozens of churches, civic groups and community outreach centers. “This is a grass roots effort where neighbors are helping helpings one door at a time, all from the heart, and having a significant impact on many local families,” said Campbell, who has lived in Alpine since 1990.

Sponsors of the 2013 Gift Bag Drive include the Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce, Albertsons, Grove Pastry Shop, Waste Management, The Alpine Sun, The Marketplace at Alpine, Chase Bank and Mountain Country 107.9-FM.