Millions of people around the world have been affected by COVID-19 this year. With California entering another shutdown, millions more will find it difficult to put food on the table. And that is in addition to the millions struggling before this most recent shutdown. If possible, please consider donating to the Ventura CAN Tree Food Drive 2020. Help your neighbors get through the rest of this holiday season without going hungry.

What: Ventura CAN Tree Food Drive 2020
Where: Ventura Harbor Village
When: Saturday, December 19th
Contact: Jennifer, Caldwell, Food Share Ventura County (805) 983-7100 or via email

Ventura CAN Tree Food Drive 2020

The Spark of Love Holiday Toy Drive takes place around Ventura County until Christmas Eve. This surely brightens children’s Christmas mornings with toys to unwrap. But so many families struggle with food insecurity normally. COVID-19 only exacerbated the problem. So to ensure that these families also eat this holiday season, Food Share Ventura County hosts their annual Ventura CAN Tree Food Drive this month.

How to Participate

The traditional way of participating in the past was to bring canned food items Ventura Harbor Village. This year, however, things have changed. In keeping with CDC guidelines, canned food drop-off has been suspended. Instead, Food Shares offers three options to choose from: buy and build, sponsor a tree, or build your own.

Buy & Build – Donate $650 and Food Share provides the canned goods and building materials needed for you to create your own CAN tree at home or at your business. These materials can either be picked up or delivered to you. It is a wonderful way to show your support as well as raise awareness for others in the Ventura community.

Sponsor a Tree – For a $750 donation, volunteers at Food Share build a tree with your family or company name on it. The tree becomes part of the public showcase featuring other trees on December 19th in Ventura Harbor Village.

Build Your Own – Finally, get your friends, family, and neighbors involved. Solicit canned food donations from them to build your very own Ventura CAN Tree. Each tree requires anywhere from 600 to 800 15 oz. cans to complete. Take a photo and email it to Jennifer Caldwell at Food Shares.

After the event, either drop off your cans at the Ventura Food Share offices or contact Food Share to schedule a pickup. Happy holidays from our family to yours.

Dave & Pat Zumbrun, your Ventura County real estate specialists