WATSONVILLE—Sherry Dang knows how tough it can be to go to bed hungry.
Dang, co-owner of a handful of 7-Eleven stores around the Central Coast with Kirk di Cicco, said she spent time without a home and went days without food while growing up in her native Vietnam.
“It’s tough to go without knowing when food is coming, only eating a meal every three days,” she said.
That experience has pushed her and di Cicco to give back to their community. On Christmas morning, the duo distributed dozens of bags stuffed with food at their 7-Eleven Main Street location to help the needy feed themselves and their families for the holidays. Included in the bag: carrots, potatoes, celery, meat, a loaf of bread, a dozen eggs, canned goods and apples donated by Watsonville Coast Produce.
“It’s the least we could do,” di Cicco said. “To be so fortunate to have the resources to give back to the people that support us. There’s nothing like it. One little bag of groceries can feed a family for a week.”
Giving back has been a yearly occurrence for Dang and di Cicco. They have given away turkeys for Thanksgiving the past 12 years and this year handed out gifts to more than 200 people at their East Lake Avenue location on Dec. 21.
They hope the Christmas-time distribution will turn into an annual event.
Di Cicco said many of his customers are farmworkers that have little or no income during the holidays.
Refugio Zavala, a native of Michoacán, Mexico who picks berries in the Pajaro Valley, woke up early on Christmas to pick up a bag of food for his family. He was kindly greeted by di Cicco and Co. upon his arrival.
“I feel content,” Zavala said through a translator. “It makes me happy that they do this for us.”
Nearby resident Rose George was at 7-Eleven for her daily morning coffee and danish. A manager for Encompass Community Services adult substance abuse program, George said giveaways similar to Wednesday’s are a big help for the community.
“For those that can really use this, it’s important,” George said. “I’m really grateful that there’s people who do this.”
