LAKEPORT, Calif. – An inaugural food drive held at the Lake County Fair on Friday brought in nearly two tons of food.
The drive, undertaken by the fair and Lake County CAN, will benefit the county’s seven food pantries.
The food was gathered during a three-hour period late Friday afternoon and into the evening. Every person who brought four cans of food or four nonperishable food items gained free entry to the fair.
Fair Chief Executive Officer Richard Persons said approximately 1,949 people donated 7,796 cans or other nonperishable items.
They filled all 10 of the pear bins that had been set aside for the drive, plus enough for about half of another bin, Persons said.
At an average weight of 8 ounces per food item, Persons estimated that they received donations totaling 3,898 pounds, just under the two-ton goal.
However, he said he hadn’t been able to decide if the 8-ounce weight per can is a valid average; it might be low, in which case Persons said the tonnage could be a lot higher.
Lake County CAN will distribute the donations to food pantries at Methodist churches in Clearlake, Clearlake Oaks, Kelseyville, Lakeport, Lower Lake, Middletown and Upper Lake.
The fair continues through Sunday. Visit www.lakecountyfair.com for more information.
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