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Imperial Valley Food Bank Launches Capital Campaign

Sara Griffen, executive director of the Imperial Valley Food Bank, along with staff and local dignitaries, hold a duplicate check for $1 million toward their capital campaign, on Feb. 10, 2017.
Imperial Valley Food Bank
Sara Griffen, executive director of the Imperial Valley Food Bank, along with staff and local dignitaries, hold a duplicate check for $1 million toward their capital campaign, on Feb. 10, 2017.
Imperial Valley Food Bank Launches Capital Campaign
Prompted by widespread hunger, the Imperial Valley Food Bank is launching a campaign to upgrade its aging facilities.

The Imperial Valley Food Bank has launched a campaign to build a new warehouse and distribution center. And its timing appears to be right on the mark.

Hunger is a major problem in Imperial County, one of the poorest parts of California.

The county has a high poverty rate, and many people grapple with chronic unemployment.

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Sara Griffen, the food bank’s executive director, said families are having a tough time.

“This cycle of poverty over many years of subsistence living has left just a lot of parents unable to care for their children," she said.

As a result, more than one out of three Imperial County children don't always know where their next meal is coming from.

The Imperial Valley Food Bank has set a goal of raising $6 million to upgrade its aging facilities. That money would enable the bank to add more refrigeration, freezer space and build a teaching kitchen.

Rabobank has already donated $1 million to the campaign. Other contributors include the James Irvine Foundation and the Imperial Irrigation District.

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Griffen said so far, the food bank has reached 57 percent of its goal.