Press release from the office of Sen. Mike McGuire:

Senate Leader Mike McGuire’s 9th annual Humboldt Holiday Food Drive yet again smashed all records yesterday, bringing in a whopping 45,019 pounds of food and just over $56,000 to support the life-changing work of Food for People, Humboldt County’s food bank.

McGuire teamed up with Food for People, KHUM radio, North Coast News, Redwood News and six local high schools — Arcata, Eureka, Ferndale, Fortuna, McKinleyville, and St. Bernard’s — for the annual event, which is now the largest food drive on the North Coast.

The $56,000 raised from generous donors and community members — with donations still pouring in — will support Food for People’s 26 food pantries across Humboldt County, which feed 21,000 local residents each month. Over the past two years, demand for Food for People’s services is up by more than 30 percent.

“Yet again, Humboldt showed up in a big way to feed neighbors in need and make a HUGE difference in the lives of thousands. Let’s be clear — we live in the most generous place on Earth and we couldn’t be more grateful for the outpouring of support,” said Senator McGuire. “We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the incredible high school students who make this Food Drive possible, pounding the pavement and collecting thousands of pounds of food, along with the hundreds of generous neighbors who delivered another record-setting year. Thank you, Humboldt. You’re making the holidays brighter for thousands.”

Taking home the Golden Can Award again, McKinleyville High School had a clean sweep — collecting the most food this year with an eye-popping 23,356 pounds AND taking in the most contributions with $1,267 collected for Food for People. They will receive the coveted Golden Can Award and a $750 check from Senator McGuire for their efforts to be used towards their next school dance.

Last year, Food for People distributed over 2.4 million pounds of food to low-income households in every corner of Humboldt. The need is especially great for thousands of kids and seniors. Over a quarter of those served by Food for People are children who depend on others to have enough to eat.

“Every year, the Holiday Food Drive outdoes itself and the outpouring of food and funds from the community yesterday is truly amazing and we are so grateful! We owe special thanks to Senator McGuire and his team, our amazing high school student leaders, and the incredible donors who helped make this year’s food drive another record-breaking year,” said Carly Robbins, Executive Director of Food for People.