WATSONVILLE, Calif. -- Michael Alexander said this was bigger than anything he had ever imagined forty years ago when he and a few others started handing out free food from the back of a truck.
Alexander, an original founder of Second Harvest Food Bank, said the group started scouting out local growers in a government donated surplus pickup truck back in the early 1970s. The "famous call" came in the form of cauliflower – "tons and tons" of it – and the group started giving it away.
Friday, Alexander was on hand as Second Harvest, the first California food bank, commemorated 40 years in the community.
"I think the impact it's had on this community is absolutely unquantifiable," said Alexander, who arrived from Florida for the celebration. "It's so deep and it's so rich in every way, helping people and creating a marvelous union between the growers and the hungry."
Now, Second Harvest distributes 8.4 million pounds of food annually through 200 local agencies and programs. It serves 55,000 Santa Cruz County residents.
During the ceremony, Assemblymember Bill Monning (D-Carmel) presented Second Harvest with a state proclamation, signed by the Central Coast delegation, recognizing its 40 years. He said the food bank has become a community partner promoting good health and nutrition, and he said its work over the last four decades has been life saving.
"That may sound hyperbolic, but it's really true. When you look at the plight of certain families, it's been the difference between sustenance and literally begging on the streets," said Monning. "It's been life saving for many families, it will continue to be that."
Alexander said his original goal was to be "so effective that we put ourselves out of business," but he acknowledged that will never happen.
"Unfortunately the hungry will always be with us," said Alexander. "This is a great thing that will continue to serve a lot of people."
