To Benefit FIND Food Bank, Sept. 26 at Hacienda Cantina
By Amy Blaisdell
September is National Hunger Action Month and the City of Palm Springs, in support of FIND Food Bank of the Coachella Valley, is encouraging residents to help feed the hungry by dropping off canned food throughout the month at City Hall, 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way and at the Palm Springs Public Library, 300 S. Sunrise Way.
Hunger Action Month culminates in Palm Springs on Friday, Sept. 26 as the City, in partnership with P.S. Resorts, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and Goldenvoice, present the 2nd annual “Rock Out to Knock Out Hunger” Dance Party and Fundraiser to benefit FIND Food Bank. The event, slated from 6 p.m. to midnight, is the season opener for the Hacienda Cantina and Beach Club, 1555 S. Palm Canyon Drive and will feature popular Santa Monica-based rock cover band “Famous for Nothing” at 7 p.m. followed by an up and coming DJ provided by Goldenvoice.
A $10 donation will be accepted at the door and all proceeds will benefit FIND Food Bank of the Coachella Valley. Honorary Co-Chairs are Mayor Steve Pougnet, community leader Harold Matzner, Goldenvoice’s Paul Tollett, Agua Caliente Tribal Chairman Jeff Grubbe, Aftab Dada, Chairman of P.S. Resorts and Greg Burton, executive editor of the Desert Sun. In addition, Palm Springs Council member Paul Lewin, Agua Caliente Tribal Councilmember Reid Milanovich, his sister Tristan Milanovich and local architectural designer Chris Pardo, have joined together to spearhead a “Young Guns” committee to spread awareness to the younger generation about food insecurity.
Additionally, the City has partnered with P.S. Resorts to promote tourism while helping to feed the hungry on the night of the event by offering limited special hotel rates at three Palm Springs properties. Participating hotels include:
• The Hard Rock Palm Springs, $99 special rate, group code is FIND
• The Hilton Palm Springs, $99 special rate, group code is ROK
• The Curve, $95 special rate, group code is RCKOUT
“I want to thank the City of Palm Springs, Goldenvoice, P.S. Resorts and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians for taking the initiative during Hunger Action Month to help feed the hungry and spread the word about food insecurity,” said CEO, Lisa Houston. “We believe it is vital for all cities to join together in a committed coalition to make the Coachella Valley a Hunger Free Zone and this is a tremendous step in helping us engage the younger generation in this cause.”
Houston added even small donations to the food bank make a big difference to those in need and that a $1 donation equals seven meals while a $10 donation adds up to 70 meals. Throughout the month of September, Coachella Valley residents can donate by visiting FINDFoodBank.org or text FIND to 20222.
“The City of Palm Springs is committed to helping FIND Food Bank in its mission to wipe out hunger and truly make our valley a Hunger Free Zone,” said Mayor Steve Pougnet. “I encourage everyone in the Coachella Valley to take part in Hunger Action Month and to join us on Sept. 26 as we rock the night away to knock out hunger. Whether you donate your time, food or money, we are all in this together and the City of Palm Springs is proud to lead the way.”
Lead Media Sponsor is The Desert Sun newspaper. Other much appreciated sponsors include CBS Local 2 News, KESQ News channel 3, RR Broadcasting, Cord Media, Coachella Valley Weekly and Desert Health News. For more information, visit Palmspringsca.gov or FINDFoodBank.org.
