Growers not only see one another as family, but their communities and regions as well. That’s why Westerlay Orchids, Southern California’s largest commercial grower of Phalaenopsis and Cymbidium orchids, worked hard and sacrificed to raise $21,030.19 for FOOD Share, a Ventura County helping vicimts of the Woolsey Fire.
Between Dec. 10 and 15, all of the proceeds from retail orchid sales at the Carpinteria nursery went to the food bank. The money will help FOOD Share continue its critical operations when demand for food assistance has spiked in the aftermath of the worst fire in it’s modern history.
“When you witness the important role that organizations like FOOD Share of Ventura hold in the wake of a tragedy of this scale, it’s so easy to get behind their cause,” said Toine Overgaag, Owner and President of Westerlay. “It makes me and all of our staff proud to harness our product for the benefit of others. The people at the food bank know how to leverage donations to have the greatest impact for the community.”
FOOD Share has been deeply involved since the fire erupted on Nov. 8 and consumed a vast stretch of land in both Thousand Oaks and Malibu in its earliest stages. Entire neighborhoods were scorched, and by the end of the devastation, three people lost their lives, more than 1,600 structures were lost, and thousands of Ventura and Los Angeles county residents had been displaced from their homes. The food bank has had its resources stretched and has been soliciting both food and monetary donations to keep up with the increased demand for its services.
To donate directly to FOOD Share, follow this link.
