Contributed Photos
Aera Energy volunteer Heather Williams (left) helps distribute food to residents Sept. 12 at the Food Bank for Monterey County distribution location in King City. Below, employees of Aera Energy and partner companies were joined by Monterey County Supervisor Simon Salinas (center, holding sign) and Supervisor-elect Chris Lopez at the annual food drive.
KING CITY — It was a record year for local oil company Aera Energy’s annual food drive last week, with the equivalent of 16,101 pounds of food donated to the Food Bank for Monterey County.
Employees of Aera and partner companies, including Kings Oil Tools, Robert Heely Construction and Sturgeon Services International, made monetary donations and filled boxes with a variety of canned goods.
“Our employees and other oilfield workers are always ready to help our communities and we take pride in being able to provide support,” said Kathy Miller, Aera public affairs coordinator in San Ardo.
Miller added, “We do much more than just business in Monterey County. This is our home and we want to make it a better place.”
On Sept. 12, employee volunteers were joined by Monterey County Supervisor Simon Salinas and Supervisor-elect Chris Lopez at the Food Bank for Monterey County distribution location in King City. Together they helped to distribute food and bring smiles to those who waited in line for food to take home to their families.
Employees will also be distributing food on Oct. 10 in San Ardo.
“Corporate supporters such as Aera are critical as the Food Bank now serves 100,000 people annually — one-fifth of Monterey County’s population, over half of whom are children,” said Melissa Kendrick, Food Bank for Monterey County executive director. “Our success in this endeavor is due in a large part to our wonderful corporate volunteers. It is not only the members of our community in need that inspire us in our work, but also the generosity of corporate sponsors like Aera who support our mission to assuage hunger with meaningful nourishment.”
