Cayucos Rotary has donated $5,000 to support Harvest Bag operated by Cayucos Community Church. For the past 10 years, Cayucos Community Church has been providing bags of food to families in need. Each bag, estimated to be worth about $20 in food, contains milk, bread, eggs, tuna, butter, peanut jelly, macaroni and cheese, and some produce like tomatoes, potatoes and onion etc. About 48 bags are given out daily; or to approximately 48 households.
Terry Bettenton, church member who's been helping with the program over the years stated "Today is a good day as each household is getting a bag of groceries, a bag of produce and a bag of a frozen chicken. These came from the Food Bank today". Terry shared that about 35 persons came to get food last week. With more filing for unemployment, Terry expected more families in need, as the numbers had been growing daily from 35 to 44, 46 and 48 today.
Cayucos Community Church hands these bags of food in good faith and does not qualify the recipients, who comprise mostly seniors in the community, and many single women with children. Some are young like a mother of three who goes regularly. The program is promoted through word of mouth only, and does cover Cayucos residents and others who work in Cayucos, like the employees of the motel across the street from the church.
The church collaborates with San Luis Obispo Food Bank who sends pre-packed bags of food every 2nd and 4th Wednesday, while the Church offers its own bags of food every 1st, 3rd and some 5th Wednesdays. The church has a discounted arrangement with Spencers to pack their own bags. In addition to Cayucos Rotary, the program is supported by local individuals, Cayucos Lions and Cayucos Lioness. Donations via checks are accepted by the Church. For more info, visit Cayucos Community Church.
