To help local food banks and pantries meet the increasing needs in the community, the Marin Community Foundation is making grants to 11 local emergency food programs totaling $250,000.

"The stories are clear and compelling," said MCF President Thomas Peters in announcing the awards. "Given the severe economic downtown, many more people, including families with young children, need food, and providers are having trouble keeping up with the demand. This is a heart wrenching situation, and the Trustees of the Foundation want to extend a helping hand. We simply cannot have people waiting in line for food, only to find there's nothing on the shelves."

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The CoastHills Community Foundation raised $33,000 at the Rancho Vino food, wine and entertainment event last month, the second annual event to help local food banks feed hungry children.

The BackPack Program, which began in 2006, provides backpacks full of nutritious food for children who are homeless or living in transient housing to eat on weekends. (more…)

The Hillsdale County Community Foundation will host a food drive Oct. 10. "Fill the Freezer," which will take place at the Hillsdale Market House, will help support local food pantries with donations of frozen and nonperishable food items. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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The Marion Community Foundation is doubling its effort to help feed the hungry in our community.

Brad Bebout, president/CEO of the foundation, recently announced that MCF will again allocate funds from its grants program to Operation Community Spirit.

In 2007, the foundation offered $5,000 in a matching funds program to make the funds raised on Make a Difference Day in October go further. Bebout said because of the success of that project, MCF will double that amount this year to $10,000, and share the proceeds among the various participating food pantries in the Marion area.

Help Make a Difference in Marion | marionstar.com | The Marion Star.