Artist sells work to support local food banks

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION) Contemporary art is Tracey Adam's passion.

"I want people to feel joyous. I want them to feel at peace," said Adams.

Just a month ago, Adams felt different.

"I didn't want to work, didn't want to to anything. I just sat there and stared at the walls," said Adams.

It is the same way many of us have felt as a result of our 'new normal,' but for Adams, work has recently gained new meaning.

"I thought, what could I do to raise money? I can help in that way. I came up with this idea of doing these small pieces," said Adams.

Pieces that typically retail for thousands of dollars are now offered at just a fraction of the cost. Adams is giving 50% of the proceeds to the Monterey County Food Bank.

Rows of empty shelves at the Monterey County Food Bank show just many are now relying on their services. The bank is feeding around 40% of Monterey County residents. Before the pandemic, only 25% of residents were served.

"We are seeing people that we would've never seen in our lines before. We are a hospitality and ag-based community. These are two sectors that have been decimated by the Coronavirus," said Monterey County Food Bank executive director, Melissa Kendrick.

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, the Monterey County Food Bank is solely reliant on its donors.

People like Adams keep the bank going, but to her it's the other way around.

"I could've written a check. Maybe, but I chose to do it this way. It feels a lot better for me to do it this way," said Adams.

Find Adam's charitable work for sale on Instagram and Facebook.