KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – As the full impact of the coronavirus impacts our population, our neighbors are hungry, the lines at the food distribution points are growing dramatically and the resources at the food banks are being strained to the breaking point.

This dire need has spurred a team of volunteers led by Jessica Pyska to hold a food donation drive-thru at two locations in Kelseyville on Friday, May 1.

“Lake County residents have always shown the generosity of their spirits in helping out their neighbors during disasters. I hope you will do what you can to support this much-needed food collection to restock the rapidly depleting food banks,” said Pyska.

Drive-thru drop-off points are as follows:

– 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot outside Riviera Common Grounds Coffee, 9736 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville.

– 2 to 5 p.m., outside The Smiling Dogs Ranch Tasting Room at 3955 Main Street, Kelseyville.

Volunteers will wear masks and gloves and adhere to social distancing rules. They ask that you please pop your trunk/hatchback and they will remove the items you are donating from your car.

For Kelseyville residents only: If you are sheltering in place and would like to participate, please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your address. Place your donations in a bag outside your front door by 10 a.m. and they will send volunteers to collect them.

Monetary donations can also be made online at https://bit.ly/lakecountyfooddrive .

Most needed items are tuna and canned meat, peanut butter, canned soups and stews, rice and dry beans, cereal, canned fruits and veggies, and protein bars.

Please, no glass containers or perishables.

Please refrain from donating if you or a member of your household have had a fever or been ill during the last 72 hours.

Staff from the Redwood Empire Food Bank, the largest hunger-relief organization serving north coastal California from Sonoma County to the Oregon border, will be on hand to accept the donations.

Last year, the organization served one in six people in Sonoma, Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino and Lake counties.

Each month, REFB makes distributions in 12 different locations throughout Lake County.

Please contact Mark Boyle at 408-806-0668‬ with questions or to assist in this effort.