The CoastHills Federal Credit Union Community Foundation/s second annual fundraiser raised ,25,000 for the foodbanks of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, specifically to support their respective backpack programs.

&#8220Rancho VinoC was attended by over 200 people Sept. 15 at Rancho Miranda in Orcutt, and featured some of the Central Coast/s premiere restaurants and wineries.

The afternoon event also featured silent and live auctions.

The foodbank programs are targeted at alleviating hunger and poor nutrition for &#8220food insecureC children who participate in school lunch programs throughout the Central Coast. The backpack program ensures that nutritious food, rather than hunger, becomes a regular part of a child/s daily life.

Jeff York, president/CEO of CoastHills, explained, &#8220Our foundation/s mission is to serve the underserved, providing support to organizations who will truly benefit from donations like this. This is an extension of our credit union/s vision to make a difference in our neighbors/ lives.C

CoastHills was recently named the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County/s &#8220Team of the YearC for 2006-2007.

&#8220CoastHills is an incredible group of people who are passionate about their community,C said Santa Barbara County Foodbank/s Community Relations Manager Kerry Main Aller. &#8220They have something I think is very special, and it is contagious.C

&#8220The employees of CoastHills took the mission of the foodbank and the plight of the kids we serve into their hearts,C said Jim Mangis, executive director of the Santa Barbara County Foodbank. &#8220The premier event that they organized raised critical funds for our Backpack Project while highlighting the nutritional crisis facing many of our kids. We are deeply grateful to CoastHills/ commitment to the community.C

This is the second major fundraiser completed by the foundation. In December 2006, as a result of their sponsorship of a special PCPA Theatre performance of &#8220Seussical the Musical,C the foundation raised ,5,000 for the Shoes for Students Organization in Santa Maria. Shoes for Students was originated by the Santa Maria Board of Realtors, and provides shoes and school supplies for needy children in the Santa Maria Valley.

September 25, 2007