California Giant Berry Farms Feeds the Community to Raise Funds for Charity

California Giant Berry Farms staff rolled up their sleeves and barbecued all day on Tuesday, July 14th to raise funds for local charitable organizations.  By the end of the event they had successfully fed 1,000 people and raised over $12,000.00, company officials report. The staff meets each year to determine which local charitable organizations they want to help with donations from their summer BBQ.   This year they chose six local organizations they are passionate about supporting because of the wonderful work they do in the community helping those in need:  Casa of Santa Cruz County, Dorothy’s Kitchen,  Grind Out Hunger,  Jacob's Heart,  Monarch Services and Pajaro Valley Shelter Services.  Following the barbecue, the owners of California Giant Berry Farms made the commitment to match the funds raised by the staff to be distributed to each organization. This marked the ninth year for the annual Skirt Steak BBQ that the staff hosts each summer to support the community and at the same time enjoy time spent with friends that attend the lunch.  Every staff member participates in either prepping, cooking, serving or cleaning up to help make sure guests enjoy the meal complete with barbecued skirt steak, garlic bread, salad and of course fresh California Giant berries and homemade cookies for dessert. Over 900 people stretching from Monterey up to Santa Cruz stopped by to either pick up lunches or eat them on site and enjoy the afternoon with friends at picnic tables throughout the parking lot, officials say.  An additional 100 lunches were purchased by vendors and customers from various parts of the country and then donated for delivery to the local Loaves and Fishes in town to help feed those in need. Friends visiting for lunch included many in the produce industry as well as community businesses buying lunch for their office staff, city offices, fire and police, and friends and family.  “We really appreciate the ongoing support we get from everyone each year.  We continue to be surprised at the tremendous response to the event and the folks that tell us how much they all enjoy this community gathering,” says Bill Moncovich, president/CEO. “I am so proud of the staff and how well they all work side by side to help those in need and how much fun they have doing it,” he adds. California Giant Berry Farms recently established the  California Giant Foundation  that serves as the new host for the annual barbecue. The staff is already planning the 10th annual with some new surprises in store for guests that attend next summer.