Filling up D.A.P.’s Food Depot is an annual effort
Posted November 1st, 2011 – Events
For the past 8 years, Kandy Lee has organized a holiday food drive effort to fill up our Food Depot, which is constantly in need of fresh foods and groceries for our low-income clients. We asked Kandy how the food drive began and about the additions to this year’s event. Below, read about Kandy’s undertaking and how you can help us feed those most in need.
Question: How long have you been organizing the food drive? What prompted you to start it?
Kandy: I moved to Palm Springs in the summer of 2003 while I was a flight attendant with American Airlines & the only people I knew in the desert were a few other flight attendants. I planned a holiday gathering for dinner at WANGS for 15 of us. At the last minute I asked everyone to bring a new Christmas toy to donate for the children of clients at Desert AIDS Project. In every community that I have lived in, I always try to give back and to make a difference in any way that I can. While living in San Diego I delivered meals through Mama’s Kitchen & saw how grateful the clients were for these meals, particularly for what it meant to them: that they had not been forgotten and that people out there loved and cared about them. The real thrill for me is to encourage those around me to do the same and see how involved they become. To see a small endeavor turn into a huge, successful event that the Food Drive has become today is remarkable.
So, the dinner/toy drive 8 years ago with 15 people has now turned into a rather large community Food Drive to literally fill the pantry/food depot at Desert AIDS Project with approximately 200-250 people in attendance this coming Saturday at AZUL ALIBI restaurant and lounge.
Organizing something like this must take a lot of work. How many people are involved in putting it all together?
Initially my good friend and fellow coworker, Don Pascal, was my “co-captain”. Over the years my good friends Sherrie Kilman, Ray Novotny, and Mark Carter have jumped on the bandwagon. They all were very eager and wanted to get involved. And then, of course, the true heroes are all of my friends & their friends right here in Palm Springs who show up every year with their many bags of non-perishable grocery items with a giving & loving spirit. I believe that most people really do want to make a difference but sometimes just don’t know what to do. I present this opportunity to them & they always so graciously step up to the plate.
Information for this year's food drive to be held on Saturday, November 5 at Azul/Georgie's Alibi
What are some example items one should donate during the food drive?
As for the actual donated grocery items, we will get anything from cereal & granola bars to canned vegetable & fruit, canned meats such as tuna & chicken, to rice & pasta/sauces, to baking mixes/frosting, “comfort” soups such as tomato & chicken noodle/saltines. A lot of the D.A.P. clients have either a cat or a dog, so we want to provide food for their pets, so we do encourage pet food donations. We will also accept gift cards from our local grocery stores & of course checks to D.A.P. or cash the day of the event (all of which is tax deductible: D.A.P. Tax ID#33-0068583)
Anything else you’d like to add?
Each year, I have the Food Drive event at one of the local restaurants and they are always so supportive and helpful. This year we are returning to AZUL & GEORGIE’S ALIBI (we were there in 2008), so I’ve been working with my friend/owner George who has been such a great help with good ideas and always a positive, encouraging attitude. The new “twist” this year is if you donate 50lbs or more of groceries (yes, George has a scale), then your name goes into a drawing for 4 wonderful prizes: 2 night stay @ the fabulous RIVIERA RESORT/SPA, a 1 night stay @ the lovely HORIZON HOTEL, includes continental breakfast for 2, $100 gift certificate @ BRIEN O’BRIEN SALON (just voted BEST OF THE BEST) & a $50 gift certificate @ LULU’S DOWNTOWN BISTRO plus you will receive a complimentary drink at the bar while atending the event.
For more information about this year’s food drive, see the event page on Facebook.
Thanks Kandy Lee and to all those who have donated and are involved in organizing this event!!
