Drive-Thru Food Collection

With 13.4% unemployment in Contra Costa and Alameda counties, we are seeing increasing rates of food insecurity. More of our neighbors can't acquire or have limited ability to acquire nutritionally adequate food in socially aceptable ways. With our monthly food drive at Santa Maria, we try to help those in need during COVID-19 and while practicing social distancing.

One day a month, we collect and deliver hundreds of bags of nonperishable groceries to organizations who feed the hungry. This month, we're delivering to St. Peter Martyr in Pittsburg and the Oakland Catholic Worker. St. Peter Martyr stocks its pantry with our groceries for its parishioners. Catholic Worker gives our groceries to the families who are living in their transitional housing.

You can spend about $35 at Safeway to fill one bag with nutritional food. The key is to select nonperishable items in non-breakable containers. If you're not going to the grocery store, we have volunteer shoppers who will shop for you!

Suggested groceries:

• Canned tomatoes and sauce
• Canned vegetables and fruit
• Canned or boxed soup
• Plastic bottle of cooking oil
• Bag of flour
• Plastic jar of peanut butter
• Box of cereal
• Canned tuna, chicken, or other protein
• Bag of beans, rice, and/or pasta

What we need in order to make these collections successful is your donation! Please drop off your bags on August 27 between 11am and 1pm on the church level parking lot. Volunteers wearing masks will be taking the bags from your trunk.

If you are not around August 27, please make arrangements to drop off your groceries in advance. If you have any questions, please contact Janet Riley or Gail Gabriel.