I recently hosted a fundraising event and had plenty of food left over. Is there anyone in Napa who accepts leftover food donations?

Carolyn Spence, program coordinator of The Table, which helps feed those in need, says The Table does, in fact, accept prepared food but that it’s rather rare when it happens. She says they receive deli trays from time to time, and that bread is donated excessively (including hot dog and hamburger buns, which don’t work so well because they don’t freeze properly, she adds). The only caveat with prepared food is that it should be properly refrigerated to be donated. No one would want to eat potato salad that’s been left out all day, would they?

The Table has around 20 different groups that come in weekly, Monday through Friday, from 3-4:45 p.m., to serve the hungry. “It’s probably the biggest spread of groups in town — churches, Rotary, AAUW, the Soroptomist club, Queen of the Valley, the Jewish synagogue, all the Catholic parishes, and even a group of women that independently come together to help,” says Spence. These groups prepare food, serve it and clean up afterward.

Donations to The Table are usually dropped off during the church’s (First Presbyterian Church) office hours, which are Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. So what happens when you have a party and it’s past office hours? Just call ahead of time, says Spence, and they will make arrangements to have someone receive the food.

Shirley King, program director of Napa Valley Food Bank, says that since the Food Bank cannot accept prepared food, they pass it on to others who do. Some of these include Samaritan Family Center on Old Sonoma Road, the South Napa Shelter on Hartle Court and the Hope Resource Center on Fourth Street. “We take all non-prepared food items. If someone bought too many hamburger patties or buns, we’ll take them as long as they’re not packages that were opened,” says King. She also says the Food Bank accepts perishable items if they are dropped off on-site. Those who have too much produce in their garden than they know what to do with have the option of either donating the produce themselves or having “gleaners” go out to their residences to pick it for them if they are unable to do it themselves.

The Food Bank also offers the Emergency Food Pantry, which allows low-income residents to acquire fresh food every 30 days, including such items as fresh dairy, fresh produce, dry rice and beans, and bread. King says they currently serve 682 people and adds, “That’s not even a peak. In January, there could be about 800.” Other locales with this program can be found in Angwin, Calistoga, St. Helena, Lake Berryessa and American Canyon. A similar program exists for seniors who are 60 years of age or over, where they can receive a grocery bag full of food twice a month. Furthermore, there is Friday Free Market where people can pick and choose any items they want. The purpose of this is to rotate stock and get rid of perishables (produce, etc.) before they, well, perish. There are no stipulations for this program.

Aside from these regular, recurring food programs is the annual event, “Hands Across the Valley,” which raises funds for Safety Net Food Programs. Various food organizations benefit from this event — Senior Nutrition Program, Meals on Wheels, etc. Leadership Napa Valley Project started this fundraiser, which began with celebrities tossing pizzas. This event takes place Aug. 23, starting at 6:30 p.m. More information can be found in the “Coming Up” calendar in today’s issue of the Register.

Bon appetit!

What is Glad You Asked?

Glad You Asked attempts to answer readers’ questions. Hungry for information? Send your questions to dmontanez@napanews.com or call me at 256-2224 and I’ll give you some food for thought.