Those dusty cans of unused cranberry sauce sitting in back of the cabinet since Thanksgiving ” along with other food items ” are being welcomed to fill boxes of goodies for this year’s Food and Toy Drive hosted by the Ocean Beach Town Council through Dec. 15.
Residents with an unwrapped toy and nonperishable food items can drop off their contribution at the Masonic Center, 1711 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., or at the Farmers Market Music Festival on Newport Avenue during the week of Monday, Dec. 10.
“The purpose of the tree festival is to provide and sponsor community events and things that get people involved in,” said Shaina Gross, Ocean Beach Town Councilmember.
“But also, all of these events are fund-raisers are to give back to our community,” she said.
Last year, the drive helped about 70 families. Each family received about a week’s worth of food, she said.
Proceeds from tree festival events like the Holiday Auction at Sunshine Company Saloon, 5028 Newport Ave. on Nov. 29, also come back to the Ocean Beach community through local grants.
The council offers grants throughout the year to groups including Ocean Beach Community Foundation, Point Loma High School Music Deparment, Peninsula Youth Ball, Ocean Beach Community Planning Board, Dollars for Scholars, the Point Loma Surf Team, the Ocean Beach Historical Society, Sunset Cliffs Surfing Association and Ocean Beach Skateboardships, according to a list complied by Gross.
As part of the drive, Town Councilmembers and other volunteers will be sorting, wrapping and boxing the goods at the Masonic Center on Monday, Dec. 10 and Tuesday, Dec. 11.
The Music Festival at the Farmers Market also brings in carloads of Christmas booty to benefit OB, said Chuck Schiele, musician and festival coordinator.
More than a dozen acts are waiting to take the stage for the cause, including local musicians Bart Mendoza, Chelsea, Liz Kent, Julie Mack, John Miller, Joe Rathburn, Paul Abbott, Sara Petite, Chad Faran, OB Choir, Anna Troy, Chuck Schiele & Friends, and the Chi Club, according to Schiele.
“It’s kind of a open-mic and we just drive people to give,” Schiele said.
The local music scene has gained a following over the last few years and draws familiar faces and new talent week after week. During the holiday season the music not only brings people together but it also brings in piles of food and toys, Schiele said.
The goods collected by the council and other organizers around Ocean Beach goes to an anonymous list of families who will receive their box of toys and food on Saturday, Dec. 15, when Town Councilmembers personally deliver them, Gross said.
The community can also spend some time and money at the holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 8 and Dec. 15, said Nancy Vaughn, Ocean Beach Tree Committee member. All the crafts are handmade.
Throughout the year the council hosts several community traditions that benefit the local community. They also provide a forum to discuss important community issues with elected representatives.
The council meets at the Masonic Center every fourth Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. excluding November and December For more information on the Ocean Beach Town Council visit www.obtowncouncil.org.