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A partnership between Dignity Health, Sonder and Operation Barbecue Relief to feed thousands in need

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Food is a necessity that many families in Kern County are struggling to buy as they make ends meet during the coronavirus pandemic.

"We've been shut down due to the coronavirus we were feeding three days a week. All that pretty much has stopped," Dionne Johnson, the pastor at the House of Ruth Outreach Ministry said. "There's really a big need in the streets. The homeless are really suffering. They say the rations are very thin in the streets."

A partnership between Dignity Health, Sonder and Operation Barbecue Relief, a win-win situation was created.

A total of 35,000 meals over the next 14 days will benefit the Mission at Kern County, Bakersfield Homeless Center, CityServe and Children's First.

"There's a lot of food insecurity in our community right now, so this is a great opportunity to keep serving the less fortunate, not just at the mission, but surrounding," Carlos Baldovinos, the executive director for The Mission at Kern County said.

On Wednesday, 350 meals were brought to The House of Ruth Outreach Ministry in Old Town Kern.

"What we're doing today is really going to bless a lot of families, really gonna bless a lot of families. Grandmothers. Kids are going to be able to eat, people living in the streets. They're going to be able to eat the ones who's really struggling and suffering," Johnson said.