Valerie Cassity
Special to the Sun

Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” This has been proven true with the small group of dedicated citizens who have been organizing the Caravan for Compassion for the past 12 months. Yes, the Caravan will be celebrating its one-year anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 19, once again dividing the food and supplies they collect to the three food pantries in the Kern Valley, who then distribute it to our community’s most needful families.

The Caravan for Compassion was started by a few local citizens, led by Al Stuart and Dr. Holly Spohn-Gross through the Kern Valley Progressive Alliance for Change (KVPAC), after they learned that our local food banks were running low on food while more and more families needed their services. They not only wanted to collect items to fill these food banks for their community but they also want to raise awareness of the reality of hunger in the Kern Valley. So, on the third Saturday of each month, a group of devoted volunteers come together in “caravan fashion” driving around the lake collecting donated food and other items, such as clothing. Then the donations are distributed equally to The Food Pantry, The Salvation Army, and God’s Store House. “Our FEMA money has run out and if it wasn’t for the Caravan for Compassion, I don’t know how we would feed a lot of our people,” said Food Pantry volunteer Margaret.

After T.J. Sanders, 3, of Kernville, had emptied his piggy bank and donated its contents to last year’s first food drive, he grabbed a granola bar from his lunch and added it to the growing pile of food collected for two local food pantries. Dr. Holly Spohn-Gross steadies the youngster as he made his contribution. Sanders pre-school homework assignment: “Sharing with others.”

Each month, the faithful volunteers fill one pick-up truck full of food, and have thus far raised monetary gifts totally between $1,000 and $1,500 for the three organizations. Co-founder Al Steuart said he would like to see the program grow, with the goal of collecting five times that much in the future. “We had some challenges with some people in the Valley saying nasty things about us, but we put that aside and kept doing it,” said Steuart,. “The churches do a great job at Christmas time, but people are hungry for the entire year. As long as the need is there we intend to keep on doing it.”

Steuart noted that the group has had many wonderful supporters throughout this past year, most notably Pastor Brian Polston of the Family Life Center Foursquare Church in Wofford Heights. They contribute two or more barrels of food each month. Polston said he encourages every person coming to church services to bring a food item with them. This can generate 500 to 700 food items each month. “I so appreciate what Holly and Al started,” Polston said. “I call them modern day good Samaritans, much like the example Jesus used when describing to his disciples how to love their neighbor. They have set an example of helping people and it’s a means that we all can participate in and it crosses any barriers.

“The potential here to make such a difference in the lives of our neighbors who are struggling is huge,” the pastor said. “One thing I have been saddened by is the controversy that some people have created around the people who run the program, when they are working so hard for the good of the community. The concept that the Caravan presents is such an easy thing that we can all participate in that requires so little of us but can make such a huge difference in the Kern Valley.”

Supporters and volunteers say that, even in this troubled economy, it is comforting to know there are people who still care for the less fortunate. In the Kern Valley, the Salvation Army serves approximately 400 meals each month at their soup kitchen, serving breakfast and lunch Monday-Friday, and the Food Pantry and God’s Storehouse both serve more than 400 families each month. The Caravan for Compassion has helped these organizations ensure families do not go hungry. Supporters said it has let neighbors who have fallen on hard times know that there are good people and they care enough to make sure they don’t starve. “I’d like to thank everyone for all of their support,” commented Dr. Spohn-Gross. “God has blessed us. It has taught me and my children a lot. As long as the need is there, we will be there.”

Standout donation hot spots are Sierra Gateway Market in Southlake and Vons in the Kern Valley Plaza. But there are several red collection bins throughout the Kern Valley located in stores, churches, bars, and fire departments where people can donate non-perishable food such as canned meats, vegetables, soups, beans, fruits, and pre-packed or dried foods. Donations of clothing, shoes, and unwrapped toys are also wonderful additions, added Steuart. The Caravan also accepts monetary donations to the three 501(c)(3) organizations the Caravan serves. All donations are tax-deductible.

Volunteers encourage Valley residents (and visitors) take a moment of their shopping to drop a can of beans or a bag of rice into the red bin. It will not only help feed a hungry family, it will help less fortunate people know their community cares.