Save The Date: 'Hunger Hoedown' Benefit For Second Harvest Food Bank

News from the Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County:

WATSONVILLE, CA -- On July 31 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at its headquarters in Watsonville, Second Harvest Food Bank is throwing one of its biggest events of the year -- the Hunger Hoedown-- to engage the community and raise money for its mission of ending hunger and malnutrition in Santa Cruz County.

The family-friendly fun will feature original, blues-infused Mexi-Billy Rock 'n Roll by the Backyard Blues Band and the acoustic, crowd-pleasing favorites of the Coffee Zombie Collective. Dancing, great food and drink, and lots of kids activities will round out the fun.

Plus, Second Harvest will open its doors for free tours of its 36,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art warehouse.

“The Hunger Hoedown is one of my favorite events of the year,” Second Harvest CEO Willy Elliott-McCrea confessed. “It’s a great chance for us to interact face-to-face with the community and for people to see what we do. But most of all it’s a fun, outdoor summer event that people remember for a long time.”

It’s also a big event for local realtors. The Santa Cruz County Association of Realtors and the Pajaro Valley Association of Realtors, sponsors of the event, are raising money and showing their commitment to the health of the community.

“It’s so gratifying to throw open our doors and allow people to see our operation, because so much of the community has helped Second Harvest become what it is,” Elliott-McCrea added, “from the agricultural community which provides so much of our fresh produce to our individual and corporate donors and more. It’s hard to imagine how our operation works until you see it in person.”

All the proceeds from the Hunger Hoedown will be used to provide healthy food to people in need throughout Santa Cruz County. The public can buy discounted tickets in advance at www.thefoodbank.org.

Second Harvest Food Bank’s Hunger Hoedown will be July 31, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 800 Ohlone Parkway, Watsonville.

Tickets are $15, or Family 4-pack for $50; buy online

About Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County

Founded in 1972, Second Harvest Food Bank was the first food bank in California and the second in the nation. Its mission is to end hunger and malnutrition by educating and involving the community. Its network of 200 local agencies and programs feeds 55,000 people in Santa Cruz County every month. For every dollar donated, it provides four healthy meals. “Together we fight hunger all year long.”