Press release from Alameda County: Residents of Alameda County now have increased access to healthy food with the June 2 opening of the new “drive-thru” food distribution site at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, county agencies and community partners have coordinated efforts to open the County’s second emergency food distribution site at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds, located at 4501 Pleasanton Avenue, Pleasanton, CA 94566. Days and times of operations are Tuesday and Thursday weekly, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The schedule may be adjusted according to demand.
On the first day of operation, approximately 281 cars (330 households) received boxes filled with produce, as well as meat and cheese from the CA Association of Food Banks (CAFB).According to County Supervisor Scott Haggerty (District 1), the site provides relief to area residents who have been hard hit by the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Making sure that every person in Alameda County has access to food during this difficult time is a priority. I’m pleased that we are providing drive-thru emergency food distribution at the Alameda Fairgrounds.”
Day-to-day operations are managed collaboratively between partner agencies that include: the Alameda County Department of Child Support Services, Alameda County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), the Alameda County Social Services Agency (ACSSA), Alameda County Community Food Bank (ACCFB), County Disaster Service Workers, and National Guard when needed.
“With the addition of a second food distribution site we are able to expand our efforts to ensure that residents throughout the County have convenient access to the food resources needed to sustain them through this pandemic,” says Lori A. Cox, Director of the ACSSA. “The County and partner agencies understand the importance of building and sustaining effective partnerships that are able to rapidly respond to the emerging needs of our community during critical times like these.”
The Pleasanton site is the second drive-thru community point of distribution (C-POD) established by the County and its community partners to expand the County’s effort to meet the nutritional needs of residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. This C-POD replicates the successful partnership and logistical operations that have been deployed at the Zhone Way Emergency Food Distribution site located at 7105 Oakport Street, Oakland since March 30. Food is distributed on a first come first served basis.
This press release was produced by Alameda County. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
