RIVERSIDE, CA  –The food pantry at The Salvation Army Riverside Corps will have 1,200 pounds of much needed food to share with those in need thanks to the generous support of the Riverside Downtown Curves Workout Center.

“We know that the need for food is greater than ever,” said Kris Whitehead, Owner, Curves Downtown Center.

“Being able to pass along this food to those in need, which we can never seem to keep up with, is amazing; this will be enough food for almost 650 families and seniors.” said Veronica Dominguez, Family Service Worker, The Salvation Army Riverside Corps Community Center.

As an added bonus, research shows altruistic people are healthier and live longer, said Major Rick Peacock, Corps Officer, The Salvation Army Riverside Corps Community Center. In a study that followed over 400 women for 30 years, researchers found 52% of those who did not engage in volunteer work experienced a major illness, compared with only 36% of those who volunteered. In a British poll of volunteers, half of those surveyed said their health had improved over the course of volunteering. One in five said volunteering had even helped them lose weight.

If you didn’t get a chance to participate in the Curves Food Drive it is not too late to get some of that altruistic good feeling by leaving food at your mail box or with your mail carrier this Saturday, May 14 or by donating food to the Free Community Boot Camp Day Sponsored by Blackshear Fitness and Goodwin’s Organic Market on Saturday, June 11th from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at University Heights Middle School Field at 1155 Massachusetts Avenue, Riverside, CA 92507.

If you would like to deliver food directly to The Salvation Army please bring it to 3695 1st Street, Riverside, CA 92501 or you can send a check earmarked “food” to the same address, call (951) 784-4490 Ext. 103, or go to riversidesalvationarmy.org. You can even set up a reoccurring donation for $25 a month. Giving Back Just Feels Good.