Aptos Church Raises Money for 1.7 Million Meals

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Twin Lakes Church in Aptos has raised money for over 1.7 million meals in the annual Second Harvest Food Bank food drive, the church announced Sunday.

Twin Lakes Church pastor Rene Schlaepfer revealed that over the course of the six-week food drive, $428,949.09 had been raised, which according to the food bank, will be able to provide 1,715,796 meals to the hungry.

This donation is the largest donation ever received during Second Harvest's holiday food drive. The previous record was $319,000 from Plantronics in 2017.

Twin Lakes Church began participating in the Second Harvest food drive in 2006, and has steadily increased in donations every year. Over the last several years, the church set its donation goal at providing 1 million meals per holiday food drive, and has been successful in achieving it, according to Twin Lakes Church pastor Rene Schlaepfer.

"This year, knowing how many families in the church are hurting, I really hesitated to make a million meals our goal." Schlaepfer said. "I did somewhat reluctantly, with the disclaimer that I knew many people could not contribute. I never, ever expected to raise this amount."

With the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent wildfires earlier this fall, there has been an increase in need, which set the Second Harvest Food Bank food drive goal to being able to provide 4.5 million meals.

All of the funds raised during the Second Harvest food drive will go towards providing food that will be distributed at 165 partner locations.

To participate in the food drive or for more information, please visit: https://give.thefoodbank.org/campaigns/15213-holiday-food-and-fund-drive-2020.

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Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 50 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.