Loma Linda University Medical Center Touts Food Drive in San Gorgonio Pass

More than 350 families accepted food from volunteers Friday at Highland Springs Medical Plaza in Beaumont, a Loma Linda University Medical Center spokeswoman announced Tuesday.

It was the second time Highland Springs Medical Plaza hosted the annual event, in partnership with Side by Side Humanitarian Food Bank, Briana Pastorino of Loma Linda University Medical Center said.

Volunteers from Loma Linda University Medical Center and Highland Springs Medical Plaza distributed food to 382 families at the food drive on Nov. 30, Pastorino said.

"The families who benefitted from the food drive live within the San Gorgonio Pass and were pre-selected and invited by Side by Side Humanitarian Food Bank to participate," Pastorino said.

Side by Side founder Kevin Bowers works with local school districts, churches and government agencies to locate families in need, Pastorino said.

"Putting food on the table for these families during the holidays is just one of the ways we can make a difference in these people's lives," Bowers said.

For more information about Side by Side Humanitarian Food Bank visit http://kevinbowers.vpweb.com.

Highland Springs Medical Plaza is operated by Loma Linda University Medical Center, Redlands Community Hospital and Beaver Medical Group.

The Loma Linda University Medical Center health system includes Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, Loma Linda University Medical Center East Campus, Loma Linda University Behavioral Medicine Center, Loma Linda University Heart & Surgical Hospital, Loma Linda University Medical Center – Murrieta, and physician clinics.

Follow Redlands-Loma Linda Patch on Twitter and Facebook, and sign up for the free daily newsletter here.