Alameda, CA -- November 20, 2003 - Volunteers of America Bay Area's Annual Operation Good Neighbor Holiday Food Basket program will be held this Saturday, November 22, 2003. Over the past 17 years, Operation Good Neighbor has distributed over 2,500 baskets of food to feed the hungry and under privileged members in the Bay Area, raising the spirits of over 10,000 individuals and families in our community during the holiday season. Now in its 18th year, Volunteers of America Bay Area provide will not be able to distribute as many food baskets due to a severe decline in donations and lack of funding from the community of resources we rely on for financial support.

"Although we will not be able to serve as many people with a meal this Thanksgiving, we have very committed and passionate donors who believe that no one should go hungry this Thanksgiving. For those donors, we graciously thank you, and we will be able to provide a meal to only our most needy members in our community." States President and CEO, John Bailey.
Volunteers will meet at 7 am, at Gate D, Oakland Coliseum to assemble hundreds of food baskets.

Volunteers of America Bay Area is a national, nonprofit, spiritually based organization providing local human service programs, and opportunities for individual and community involvement. Volunteers of America serves more than 1.4 million people each year.