Assemblymember Matt Haney distributes 500 food bags to low income families in Visitacion Valley for holidays

(SAN FRANCISCO)

Newly-elected State Assemblymember Matt Haney returned to Visitacion Valley last Saturday, November 5, to distribute 500 food bags that he raised for

the low income families and seniors in the neighborhood.

"There is always a great need in this neighborhood. The elderly and low income families are facing food insecurity. I will fight for them to bring in resources," said Haney at the giveaway event where 500 people were waiting in line in the Visitacion Valley Community Center playground at 66 Raymond Avenue.

The giveaway event took place last weekend before the November 8 election. The funding for the food drive was a combination of his campaign fund that he raised by running for Assembly to provide the bags and the food donated by the Oriental Food Association (OFA). 500 food takers could find noodles, soy sauces and more Asian food inside the food bags.

Haney acknowledged the generosity of Oriental Food Association to donate food to the Visitacion Valley community and the support to the giveaway event.

"I met with the association's leaders at the Chinese Newcomers Service Center annual food drive in Chinatown earlier this year. The association has donated food to the Chinatown event for decades. I reached out to them and thank you for their support to the Visitacion Valley community as well," Haney said.

It was the first time for the Oriental Food Association to participate in the food drive in the Visitacion valley neighborhood. "OFA is a long-time supporter of the Chinese Newcomers Food Drive event in SF Chinatown. With the impact of COVID and the recent economic downturn, OFA hopes to do more to help out the community. Our members (food importers and wholesalers) are very supportive of it," said Eva Yen, President of OFA and Asian Market General Manager of the Prince of Peace Enterprises, Inc.

The event was also in partnership with the Asian Pacific American Community Center (APACC) in Visitacion Valley. "The food giveaway comes at the right time for the upcoming holidays. We are thankful for Assemblymember Haney's support to our community. We have a large number of seniors and low income families in

need in this neighborhood. We look forward to more collaboration with Assemblymember Haney," said Rex Tabora, Executive Director of APACC.