Ladera Ranch Food Drive: Community Fills Five Cars of Donations for Second Harvest

A Thanksgiving Season of Giving and Gratitude

This Thanksgiving, the heart of Ladera Ranch truly showed its colors.What started as a simple call to donate turned into an overwhelming response that filled five full cars with food and essential items, all delivered to Second Harvest Food Bank. The generosity was real, visible, and deeply appreciated.

The donations came from families, neighbors, and friends, but the most impactful support came from our own village—the Poets Park neighborhood. They organized, they shared the message, and they showed up with bags, boxes, and baskets of food to help feed families across Orange County.

How Our Ladera Ranch Food Drive Filled Five Cars of Donations

When we began collecting, the hope was to gather enough to help support a handful of families in need.Instead, your kindness overflowed—literally.

Residents donated:

• Canned vegetables and fruits

• Pasta, rice, and grains

• Soups and shelf-stable proteins

• Kid-friendly snacks and breakfast foods

• Nut butters and long-lasting staples

By the end of the collection, our driveway and garages looked like a small distribution center. Five fully packed carsdrove to Second Harvest Food Bank, representing the compassion of our community in the most tangible way possible.

Why Supporting Second Harvest Matters

Second Harvest Food Bank plays a vital role in Orange County, providing millions of meals yearly to families, seniors, veterans, and children.Their work helps ensure that:

• No child goes to bed hungry

• Working families have access to nutritious food

• Seniors and individuals in transition receive ongoing support

• Local residents are not left behind during economic hardship

Your donations don’t just fill shelves—they fill refrigerators, lunch boxes, and family dinner tables.

Poets Park: The Neighborhood With Heart

There is something special about Poets Park. It isn’t just a neighborhood—it's a circle of families who truly care about one another and our wider Ladera Ranch community. Whether we’re cheering at sports events, helping neighbors move, or organizing charity drives, the spirit of connection is always present.

This food drive was another example of that spirit in action.From porch drop-offs to last-minute runs to the grocery store, Poets Park residents came through with generosity that exceeded every expectation.

A Realtor, a Neighbor, and a Grateful Community Member

As a local real estate agent, my work is helping people find homes in Ladera Ranch—but moments like this remind me why I’m proud to live here.It’s not just the beautiful streets or amenities—it’s the people who make this community strong.

To everyone who donated, shared the drive, or encouraged others to participate:Thank you. You helped feed Orange County families this holiday season, and that impact matters more than you know.

Continuing the Spirit of Giving

Food insecurity doesn’t end when the holidays do.If you feel inspired to continue helping, here are meaningful ways to support Second Harvest year-round:

• Donate food or funds directly through their website

• Volunteer at their distribution centers or events

• Host your own neighborhood, business, or sports team food drive

• Spread awareness and share their mission

Even one item makes a difference.

Together, We Make a Lasting Impact

The success of this Ladera Ranch food drive proves what happens when neighbors work together with compassion and purpose.Our community turned generosity into action, and families across Orange County will feel the warmth of that effort this season.

Thank you, Ladera Ranch—especially Poets Park—for showing what true community looks like.Here’s to gratitude, connection, and many more ways to lift each other up.

A Special Thank You to Trader Joe’s

We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Trader Joe’s, who generously donated the bags that helped us collect and organize the food. Their support made the entire process smoother—from pickup to delivery—and helped our volunteers pack items safely and efficiently. It was one of those behind-the-scenes contributions that made a real difference.Thank you, Trader Joe’s, for being a positive partner in our community effort and helping our donations reach Second Harvest Food Bank with care.