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Taft proclaims September 'Hunger Action Month,' CAPK urges donations as local distributions climb
Summary
The City of Taft proclaimed September 2025 as Hunger Action Month; Community Action Partnership of Kern speakers said local partners have distributed hundreds of thousands of pounds of food and asked residents to volunteer, donate, and attend Hunger Action Day events.
The Taft City Council on Sept. 2 read a proclamation declaring September 2025 "Hunger Action Month" and heard from representatives of the Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK), who urged residents to volunteer or donate as local food distributions strain to meet growing need.
Mayor Pro Tem Bryant read the proclamation, saying CAPK is "the largest hunger relief organization in Kern County," and the proclamation called on residents and businesses to support local hunger-relief efforts. Presenters said federal and state funding cuts and rising need have left food shelves thinner and local partners stretched.
A CAPK speaker said the countywide network distributed "more than 22 and a half million pounds of food in the past year," and a local presenter stated CAPK partners in Taft distributed more than 764,000 pounds in 2024. The presenters listed local access points including 5 Loaves Pantry, Need Center, New Hope Temple and Saint Mary and highlighted volunteer events: a community blood drive, a volunteer box‑building day, and Hunger Action Day on Sept. 10.
"These aren't strangers. These are your neighbors," a presenter said, urging donations and directing residents to CAPK's website and phone lines for contributions and information. Council members thanked the presenters and encouraged public involvement; the council accepted printed materials and posed for photos.
The proclamation names collaboration among public agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses and community members as central to reducing food insecurity and encouraged residents to participate in local drives and volunteer programs. The city also publicized a partnership with the Kern County Fair offering admission in exchange for canned-food donations on Sept. 23.
Next steps: the proclamation was signed by the mayor and council members and presenters left follow-up materials with city staff. No formal council action beyond the proclamation was taken.
