Fighting Hunger...One Can at a Time
An outpouring of compassion and creativity helped Alameda County's 2016 Stone Soup Holiday Food Drive and Design Competition achieve unprecedented success in raising employee donations to the Alameda County Community Food Bank.
County employees donated more than 9 tons of food and $14,000 in cash over the past five weeks to help put meals on the tables of less fortunate residents during the coming holiday season. Both numbers represent new records in Alameda County's annual Holiday Food Drive.
Employees also used donated food items to fashion creative displays that currently adorn public areas of many County buildings. The displays are designed to engage visitors about the issue of hunger in the community. The creations will soon be dismantled and their edible components will be donated to the Food Bank to help provide nutritious holiday meals to residents struggling to put food on the table.
"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."
Supervisor Wilma Chan presented Alameda County Food Bank with $14,000 check to culminate record-breaking Stone Soup Food Drive.
The Fourth Annual Stone Soup Food Drive and Design Competition culminated with an awards ceremony led by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, which expressed its appreciation to each of the 14 County departments that participated in this year's Stone Soup Food Drive.
A panel of judges chose the 2016 Stone Soup Awards based on creativity, inspiring themes, incorporation of food donations into their designs, as well as the most money and food raised. This year's winners were:
- Best Recipe Awards: County Administrator's Office and Information Technology Department
- Chef's Awards: Public Works Agency and General Services Agency
- Most Creative Awards: Auditor-Controller Agency and Child Support Services
- Most Inspiring Awards: Human Resource Services, District Attorney's Office, and Community Development Agency
- Making a Difference Awards: Assessor's Office, Sheriff's Office, and Registrar of Voters Office
- Stone Soup Spirit Award: Office of the County Counsel, Social Services Agency's Enterprise Self-Sufficiency Center, and Social Services Agency's Eden Multi-Service Center in Hayward
Lastly, a Leadership Award was provided to the Board of Supervisors, for demonstrating drive and initiative in taking action against hunger. The House is constructed with cans of food, sacks of rice and a roof made of ramen noodles.
The Alameda County Community Food Bank will gladly accept donations through the holidays and beyond to help the less fortunate in our community. For every $1 donated, $6 worth of food is provided to those in need.
To donate, go to http://www.accfb.org/
