OAK HILLS – Being grateful for a second chance at life, an Oak Hills couple started a nonprofit organization to feed those in need in the Victor Valley community. For nearly a year and a half, Steve and Kim Barber have reached out to the community with a nonprofit food distribution called, “4 Hungry”. The couple has been involved in food distribution for around four years with Kim’s cancer survival being the driving force. “As you [may] know this was primarily done based on my wife having her life spared from colon rectal cancer,” said Barber. “We have been given gifts and we are giving it back, that does not mean that we are not accepting of equipment and so on.”
Every Saturday, Kim, Steve and anywhere from 12-14 volunteers meet in a large lot located at 7242 Topaz Avenue in the Oak Hills. The group sets up tables and bring food out, with set up taking somewhere from an hour and a half to two hours. Until the hot summer days move into the area, the distribution goes from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. During the distribution, around 200 families are served, providing several bags of produce, snacks, dried goods, dairy, and meat products. Dog food is also usually available to help those having a difficult time supplying food to their furry family members. “As far as donations we accept donations to keep the wheels on the bus,” said Barber. “We do not do this for our purpose but rather for the service of a community.”
Those in need of food should bring their state-issued ID or driver’s license and boxes, wagons, and other items appropriate for carrying food. Donations are sometimes heavy, most of those served leave with at least 3-4 bags or medium-sized boxes. “The only requirement is that they come hungry we do it out of the grace of God and his bounty through his son Jesus Christ,” said Barber. “If somebody does not have a donation they will never be turned away everybody is fed and fed very well through the grace of God.”
With many food distributions available, some find it difficult to choose. Steve mentioned that for the most part, all of the churches and organizations that assist in the high desert pick up from the same distribution center. “The participants should look at if they have a particular church and go to handle it through that church or if they live in a particular area that’s more convenient than others than they go there.” Barber warned that those in need should avoid those food distributions that are outright charging for food by box, by the pallet, and so on.”
Barber said the grateful clients keeps them going. “I’ve had people tell me that if we weren’t there they would have no food that they would be forced to go back to an abusive relationship because they weren’t able to take care of themselves or the children. That gets us up on Saturday morning and the other days we go down to pick up.” Although Kim and Steve have put and will continue to put what they are able to of their own funds into keeping the food outreach going, they are in need of an outdoor forklift and wheels for their trailers. If you would like to donate, volunteer, or if you have any questions you can contact Steve or Kim through their Facebook group.
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