April Hansen (marketing/Lakeport Grocery Outlet), Jackie Hansen (owner, Lakeport Grocery Outlet) and team present Lynn Goos and Free Kitchen Project volunteers with a very large check to help support a great cause. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Every year, worldwide more than 15 million children die of starvation.

While most people are all aware of the worldwide struggle, think for a minute about the percentage of those who struggle to make ends meet right here in America.

The economic roller coaster has resulted in many local families to go jobless, hungry and even homeless.

Many times, people think of poverty and hunger on a much larger scale, which can divert attention from members of the local community who are suffering from poverty.

Recently the Lakeport Grocery Outlet joined forces with its friends at the Lakeport Free Kitchen Project in an amazing program known as “Independence from Hunger.”

The mission of the Lakeport Free Kitchen Project is to serve dinner in a welcoming atmosphere to anyone who wants or needs a free meal on Sundays in the community.

Throughout the month of July, the Lakeport Grocery Outlet encouraged customers to make food donations as well as cash donations at the time of their purchase. The cash donations came in abundantly and often daily customers graciously donated on more than one shopping trip during the month of July.

The Lakeport Grocery Outlet provided premade shopping bags containing $4.55 worth of groceries ready for purchase and immediate donation to save time for shoppers in a rush to still be able to participate. Customers who made any donation were entered into a drawing to win a Grocery Outlet gift card valued at $100.

One customer at a time, one can of beans here, a dollar there, and by the end of the month, it was clear how much shoppers wanted to help make a difference.

Not only were the donations abundant, but the outpouring of support by our community helped the store to raise cash and food donations totaling $1,306 in just 31 days.

It is truly amazing what people are capable of doing when they all work together. One dollar may not seem like much, but it all adds up and every little bit helped us support the very selfless and hardworking people at Lakeport Free Kitchen Project.

The store recently presented the wonderful folks with Lakeport Free Kitchen Project with a check and yet another large load of groceries as a final contribution to our month-long Independence from Hunger program.

“Until next time,” said April Hansen, who works in administration and marketing for Lakeport Grocery Outlet, to Lynn Goos, president of United Parish Church/Free kitchen Project.

After a fantastic turnout for a very special cause, the store will soon join forces again in the near future to help a community come together in making a big difference in the lives of the less fortunate.

Lakeport Grocery Outlet offered a very special thank you to all of our caring shoppers who graciously donated.

They also recognized the caring team of volunteers at the Lakeport Free Kitchen Project for collecting donations, preparing meals, and helping provide the program with locations to serve free meals: Lynn Goos, president, United Parish Church; Sharon Salvador, treasurer, Fidelity National Title Co.; Missy Hodder, secretary, United Parish Church; Marty Bardelmeier; Geri Crowshaw; Charlene Ellis; Tom Engstrom, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Danielle Erickson; Gloria Flaherty, Lake Family Resource Center; Chris Frediani, XIRHO Psi Sorority of Beta Sigma Phi; Mel Goos, United Christian Parish; Laisne Hamilton, Galilee Lutheran Church; Ken Hook, United Christian Parish; Pastor Shannon Kimbell-Auth, United Christian Parish; Katherine Lindsley, United Christian Parish; Wanda Lopez, St. Mary’s Church; Jennifer Petersen, United Christian Parish; Val Schweifle, Kiwanis; Jean Strak; and Bishop Tipton, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints.

LAKEPORT FREE KITCHEN PROJECT SCHEDULE

Meals are served from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

• First Sunday: United Christian Parish Church, 745 N Brush St., Lakeport

• Second Sunday: Seventh Day Adventist Church, 3500 Hill Road East (corner of Parkway and Hill Road)

• Third Sunday: United Christian Parish Church, 745 N. Brush St., Lakeport

• Fourth Sunday: Lake Family Resource Center, 896 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport (entrance is in the back of building)

• Fifth Sunday: Lake Family Resource Center, 896 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport (entrance is in the back of building)