National Guard helps Second Harvest Food Bank distribute food

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION) The National Guard was deployed to the Central Coast to assist food banks distribute food during the COVID-19 outbreak.

More than 20 National Guardsmen were at the Second Harvest Food Bank in Watsonville, Monday to work as "volunteers in uniform". Over the last week, the food bank has seen 10 times their normal demand for food distribution.

“Many of our volunteers are retired individuals. They’re over 65. They’re part of that population that’s considered at risk,” Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County Development and Marketing Officer Suzanne Willis said.

Since there was a lack of volunteers, the state ordered the National Guard to come to the Central Coast to assist with the food distribution.

“We’re here to fill in the gaps that way there are no loses, and no one goes hungry,” Sgt. First Class with the National Guard Daniel Reeger said.

The National Guard is only in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties to help with food distribution and not for enforcement.

“We are here strictly to help the communities. We don’t want to be offensive. We don’t want to show force. We want to show support,” Reeger said.

In addition to the National Guard, other community volunteers stepped in to help as well.

“If you’re not in a high risk group and showing no signs of COVID-19, it's a great opportunity to keep the food chain working,” Watsonville resident Robby Olson said.

There are nearly 200 food distribution spots in Santa Cruz county, and the Second Harvest Food Bank says there’s plenty for anyone in need.

To find out where food is being distributed, you can call the Second Harvest Food Bank Community hotline at (831) 662-0991.