Couple Launches Food Drive to Benefit Center

Getting into the Thanksgiving spirit, a San Clemente couple has volunteered to start a local food drive that will benefit the Orange-based Food Distribution Center, a countywide food bank.

Lisa and David Julienne will be stationed with food collection bins from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Lucky Food Center at 616 Camino De Los Mares. During the same hours on following weekend, Nov. 18 and 19, they will be stationed at the Ralph’s Grocery Co. at 85 Calle de Industrias. Both stores are in San Clemente.

Donors are asked to bring non-perishable food items such as canned and dry goods. Cash donations payable to the Food Distribution Center are also welcome, Lisa Julienne said.

“We’re trying to motivate people to do something really direct for Thanksgiving,” Juilenne said. “If someone donates a bag of beans, then someone hungry gets a bag of beans. I like that approach.”

The couple, who are both real estate agents, got the food drive idea after attending a benefit for the Food Distribution Center, which provides food to dozens of Orange County agencies helping the poor and homeless.

“We don’t see a lot of homeless people here in San Clemente,” Julienne said. “It’s such an affluent area with the sun and the beach and everything. We’re trying to make people aware that there is a problem, and Thanksgiving is a good time to do that.”

To request a pickup of a donation or more information, call the Juliennes at (714) 361-0361 or 361-5110.