Businesses launch 5 for 5 hunger campaign
Nancy Vega believes that children shouldn't go to school hungry or to bed on an empty stomach.
“I was just trying to come with ways to help,” said Vega, owner of Sand & Stone Fine Jewelers.
And so she and Sergio's House of Carpet have launched a campaign to collect food for the Yuma Community Food Bank in September, Hunger Action Month.
The concept is pretty simply but extremely effective, Vega said. For every five non-perishable food items that customers bring into the two stores, the businesses will deduct 5 percent off of any purchases made through the month of September.
“With the economy being down and unemployment at an all-time high, more and more families are needing assistance and turning to the Yuma Community Food Bank as a lifeline,” Vega said.
She sees the 5 for 5 program as a way for the two local businesses to give back to the community.
Several other activities are going on around the community for Hunger Action Month, noted YCFB officials.
Hunger Action Month is part of a nationwide campaign to end domestic hunger.
One in six Americans will go hungry today, YCFB officials say, and September is all about putting a stop to that.
The economy has taken a toll on many families who never thought they would be needing assistance. At the same time, the agency's cupboards are nearly empty, said Victoria Estrada, marketing specialist at the YCFB.
That's why this year's Hunger Action Month is so important, she said.
Youth Against Hunger is just one event involving the local high schools. Cibola, Gila Ridge, Yuma Catholic, Kofa and Yuma high schools are all holding food drives in September.
On Sept. 18-19, the first ever Charity Poker Tournament will be held by the YCFB. The event will be sponsored by and held at the Quechan Casino Resort.
Finally, “Dine Out for Hunger” is another way for the community to get involved by simply eating out. Several local restaurants have agreed to donate a percentage of their profits on a specific night to the Yuma Community Food Bank.
For more information about the food bank's events, call Estrada or Jerry Garcia at 343-1243.
