SMUD & Cal Expo: Drop Off Canned Food for Elk Grove Food Bank TODAY

Listen: Valerie Erwin, Community Outreach Manager for the Elk Grove Food Bank Services

https://calexpostatefair.com/smud-giving-mondays-at-cal-expo/

The 2020 California State Fair tradition of community will continue this year with the SMUD Giving Monday canned food drive at Cal Expo! This is your chance to help make a difference in our community. Cal Expo and SMUD are committed to our community and have partnered again to benefit the Elk Grove Food Bank.

The need for food continues throughout the summer and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an increased need for food donations. While we would have loved to host this event during the Fair, we hope that you will drive by and donate as much canned food as possible to help our neighbors and friends.

When: June 22, 2020, 12 noon to 7 p.m.

Where: Main Gate at Cal Expo (California Letters)

Here’s how it works:

• Check our list of the most needed items below
• Have your non-expired, non-perishable donation items in your trunk or back passenger seat
• Drive through the Main Gate to the California Letters and pop open your trunk
• A team member will pick up your donation, you will not have to get out of your car

SMUD is providing a mini hand sanitizer to each donor. The first 500 people to bring donations will also receive a $5 off coupon on a $30 purchase fromSave Martand aFoodJetscoupon. We’ll also have music by iHeartMedia!

Last year, thanks to the overwhelming generosity of fairgoers we collected nearly 30,000 pounds of food for theElk Grove Food Bank!

Requested Donation Items:

Items that are high in protein are needed most. Seniors are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition, so items like peanut butter are a favorite! Other items that are particularly helpful to those in need are:

• Beans
• Ensure
• Canned fruit
• Peanut Butter
• Canned veggies
• Canned meat (chicken or tuna)
• Soup
• Pasta
• Cereal
• Packaged Rice
• Mac and Cheese
• Boxed Mashed Potatoes

We will follow all of the required guidelines and best practices for operating safely in the new COVID-19 environment.

Safety & sanitization:

• All staff taking canned goods and donations will wear gloves and face coverings.
• Gloves and hand sanitizer will be provided to all staff and volunteers.
• After cans and donations are collected, they will be wiped down with a bleach wiping cloth before they are transported to the food bank.