Charities Seek Donations of Foods Purchased for Y2K

There was no Y2K crisis. So what is everyone supposed to do with all that bottled water and those emergency cans of cheese ravioli and fat-free chili?

The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is urging that the stockpiled food be donated to help feed people who face a real hunger crisis every day.

“We just want to give people the idea that if they put aside something they should donate it,” said Doris Bloch, executive director of the food bank, which feeds 275,000 people a week.

Supermarkets reported an increase in the purchase of water, batteries and nonperishable food in the last days of 1999. Even the federal government stashed away food in secure locations and printed up extra cash, just in case.

Bloch said she understands some residents may want to stock food for future emergencies; after all, this is Southern California. But despite the robust economy, she said, there are still many families who turn to the food banks.

To help collect the donations, the food bank has established a toll-free number (877) 664-8643. The bank will accept donations at the Glendale Galleria starting Feb. 1.

A similar plea is being made in Orange County by the Second Harvest Food Bank, which feeds more than 180,000 people per month. That group has launched a “Y Go 2 Waste” campaign aimed at those with an overflowing pantry.

It is not certain how much food was hoarded for the disaster that never was, but a national food manufacturing group said sales of canned foods, bottled water and other survival-type supplies increased by up to 15% in December from the previous December.

Gene Grabowski, a spokesman for the Grocery Manufacturers of America, said there were probably “pockets of more aggressive buying” in cities throughout the nation.

Some people who have a Y2K disaster stockpile said they will either save the supplies for a real disaster or will keep the extra food for everyday use.

“Most of the people are hanging on to what they’ve got,” said April Kelcy, a disaster preparedness consultant from Pasadena.

At the Sierra Madre Congregational Church, which formed a Y2K committee and stocked a food pantry, a spokeswoman said it will be used to feed needy members of the church.

Dolores and Christopher Nyerges, who run the School of Self-Reliance in Highland Park to teach people how to live off the land, have extra food stored away but Dolores said they plan to keep it.

“We have always wanted to have an earthquake-ready supply,” she said.