Cleanline Surf Holiday Food Drive Raffle

Year after year, the greater Seaside, Oregon, community eagerly looks forward to the Cleanline Surf Holiday Food Drive Raffle. Once December rolls around, a steady stream of locals hailing from Clatsop County to the Portland area streams through the Cleanline Shop doors to drop off their load of donated food. The rules are simple: for every two donations received, the recipient receives one raffle ticket, which is good towards a 3rd, 2nd, or 1st place prize – a win-win for everyone! 

Food Drive History

For some, the holidays are a time of excitement and joy, a day off for surfing, gathering with friends and family for a festive meal, and a time of gift-giving. However, it’s a difficult and challenging time of the year for others. The pressure or expectation to provide gifts and a nutritious meal can be a huge burden for many in the local community.

As the longtime owner of Cleanline Surf, my partner Nancy and I recognized this need in the community and were inspired to do something about it. In 2010, we officially launched the first-ever Cleanline Surf Holiday Food Drive Raffle. Not only has the raffle been a success in terms of donating food to the community, but it’s also turned into a fun tradition as many locals look forward to it every year and stop by our Seaside store with their pile of donated goods.

Through the years, the prizes have evolved from surfboards and wetsuits to Cleanline Gift Cards, providing a more inclusive experience. There are many locals who don’t surf but continually shop with Cleanline during the Christmas season. These are the folks who purchase gifts such as slippers, hoodies, Patagonia goods, or gift certificates. The Seaside shop becomes a community social hub with Holiday decorations throughout the store, free gift wrapping, hot spiced cider, and homemade cookies. Nancy and I take joy in transforming the shop into a festive experience, all while collecting donated food items for those in need.

"Food is Love” - Josh

For 2023, Cleanline Surf collected over 500 lbs of donated food and over $100 in cash donations as well! Once again, we are truly amazed and humbled by the community support.

South County Community Food Bank

All the donated food and money goes to the South County Community Food Bank in Seaside, benefiting individuals and families in Seaside, Gearhart, and Cannon Beach. The SCCFB, which has been around since 1981, was started by a local grocer who gave hungry folks food from his store. It has evolved into one of the largest food banks in the region through the help of generous volunteers in the area – serving over 12,000 people who suffer from food insecurity.     

Along with twice-a-week distribution hours, SCCFB provides hot meals every Sunday, Supplemental Food Programs for the Seaside School District, Oregon School Breakfast and Lunch Program, health screenings and nutritional counseling for Women, Infants, and Children, and school readiness support through the Oregon Head Start program. 

If you want to learn more about the community programs or volunteer with SCCFB, call them at 503-738-9800 from 1:00-3:45 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays or 9:00-11:00 am on Mondays. They are located right down the street from Cleanline Surf at 2041 N. Roosevelt Dr.

Final Thoughts

As we close out 2023, Nancy and I along with the entire Cleanline Surf family are tremendously grateful for the continued community support with the Holiday Food Drive. It is truly a special event for both the folks on the giving and the receiving end. Through your generous financial and food donations, many individuals and families will have access to the essential food needed to thrive and celebrate this Christmas season. Thank you for partnering with us. From Cleanline Surf to you, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

Josh

Josh is the owner and founder here at Cleanline Surf since 1980. He has been surfing and wearing wetsuits in the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest for 40+ years.