Community members bring food donations during the annual food drive. Each year, dozens of SMUD team members and volunteers help make this initiative a success, with last year's efforts collecting nearly 19,000 pounds of food to help replenish the shelves at area food banks. Photo courtesy of SMUD

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - SMUD's Giving Friday is back at the California State Fair with a new day and a new nonprofit organization benefiting and with the same big heart of giving.

Moving from Mondays to Fridays (July 11, 18 and 25), attendees can enjoy free same-day entry to the California State Fair with a donation of five nonperishable food items to help stock the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services shelves.

"Giving Friday represents the heart of what SMUD stands for: being there for our community, especially those facing food insecurity,” said Farres Everly, SMUD’s chief marketing and communications officer. “With rising costs impacting so many families, this partnership creates a simple but powerful way for neighbors to help neighbors while enjoying everything the state fair has to offer."

The numbers tell the story. The Sacramento Food Bank is serving more individuals than ever before. Each item donated helps fill the gap monthly for more than 320,000 children, families and seniors in our region who are struggling to put food on the table.

Any nonperishable donation makes a difference but some items that are especially helpful are dry pasta, macaroni and cheese, rice, oatmeal, cereal boxes, crackers and granola bars, peanut butter, canned vegetables, canned tomatoes, canned beans, canned meat (tuna, chicken, etc.), soups and stews, and canned fruit.

Donations are accepted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cal Expo Main, Blue and Green gates. Upon entry, visitors can enjoy SMUD swag bags, energy-saving tips and induction cooking demos. Also join SMUD from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 19 at the EV Ride and Drive event at the nearby Arden Fair Mall. Test drive an electric vehicle and earn a free State Fair ticket.

SMUD has led successful e-waste, coat, personal care and school supply drives at Cal Expo. These drives have benefited nonprofit organizations such as the Sacramento Children’s Home, the Sacramento Regional Conservation Corps and the Elk Grove Food Bank.

For more information about SMUD Giving Friday, visit calexpostatefair.com or smud.org/StateFair.