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Hunger Strike force
HSF Teams Up With Oakland Raiders and Safeway
It was normally quiet on Saturdays at the E. Morris Cox Elementary School. Operation Blessing staff broke last weekend's silence and stepped onto the California soil at 8 am, ready to prepare for the afternoon's food distribution. The repetitive sound of a forklift unloading 80,000 pounds of canned goods, drinks, cereals, pasta, fresh potatoes, salad, carrots, and onions from 1 donated Safeway truck and 1 of Hunger Strike Forces's (HSF) trucks woke those sipping coffee into action.
Approximately 175 local volunteers from Safeway, Shell Oil, Equilon, Martinez Oil Refinery, Shell Academy, and River of Life Church arrived at 11 am. Strangers became friends while teaming up to put more than 4,300 bags of groceries together for those living in low income households in both Oakland and East Bay areas. Their hard work was well rewarded through a pizza lunch provided by Equilon, and also by being able to distribute to those in need alongside Oakland Raiders' players.
Oakland Raiders players joining in the afternoon's festivities included Lincoln Kennedy, Barry Sims and his wife, as well as Chris Cooper and Matt Stinchcomb. In addition in assisting with giving more than 2,150 adult guests two bags of groceries and 1,000 children a special goody bag, players posed for pictures and signed autographs.
As HSF local event coordinators, Pastors Chris and Cindy Christovale had worked behind the scenes for weeks in advance. The use of the school grounds, a custodian's services, opened bathrooms, and a forklift were donated. Two fire companies and seven or eight police officers also were on hand during the entire event. The schools' principal had informed other community principals of the food distribution, causing more flyers to be handed throughout the neighborhoods. The custodian, an avid Raider fan, placed flags around the building in celebration of the event.
With not a cloud in the sky and 75 degrees, "It went beautifully; so much community cooperation," shared Pam Erickson, OBI's Director of Procurement and Corporate Relations.
Usually any extra bags of groceries find a home at local shelters or food pantries. There were no extra bags this time, confirming to the Hunger Strike Force and its partners there is a real need in Oakland, California.
Tackle hunger across America with the Hunger Strike Force and its NFL partners this fall..
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