FIND Food Bank (FIND) raised $354,200 during its 15th Annual Telethon sponsored by KESQ News Channel 3. The funds collected from the live broadcast on April 4 will support the expansion of the FIND Food Security Campus and Ending Hunger Programs. As the Desert’s Regional Food Bank, designated for Emergency Response & Disaster Relief, it’s crucial FIND has the storage space and resources required to aid in times of crises and every day throughout the year.
Indio’s very own Abi Carter kicked off the 2025 Telethon by advocating for FIND’s mission to end local hunger today, tomorrow, and for a lifetime and calling for donations to help support the 125,000 people FIND feeds on average each month.
“Last year FIND raised over $300,000 to help those in the Valley who are food insecure, but I think we can beat it this year,” the American Idol winner said—and, by the end of the evening and through the weekend, FIND did indeed exceed its previous Telethon total.
Between inspiring performances by other local artists, like the Palm Desert High School Professional Theatre Students, Jeff Hobson of Marvyn’s Magic Theater, and In Movement Dance, the community came together to raise the funds to ensure FIND can continue distributing 20 million pounds of nutritious food annually to its 10,000 sq. mile service region throughout California’s Southeastern Desert Region.
“It was such an amazing night…the community really showed up to let everyone experiencing food insecurity know that they are not alone and there are people willing to help,” said Debbie Espinosa, President and CEO of FIND Food Bank. “[Because of our desert community’s generosity], FIND can lift and launch our new expansion warehouse to ensure we never have to turn food away when it’s donated to us. Together, we are giving those struggling through uncertain times a lot of hope, as they know there is a community here to support them and help them not just survive but thrive.”
Elected officials including Congressman Raul Ruiz and Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, along with representatives from Cathedral City, Coachella, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, and Rancho Mirage, contributed by taking donations over the phone during the hour-long broadcast.
KESQ’s very own Karen Devine, Garrett Hottle, Blake Arthur, and others participated by sharing the need and encouraging viewers to call in.
This year’s major sponsors included the Houston Family Foundation, City of La Quinta, Food Security Donor, Intersect Power, Ellan and George Batavick, State Farm, Visit Greater Palm Springs, Desert Oasis Healthcare, and the Desert Care Network.
Thanks to the support of city and government officials, KESQ News Channel 3, sponsors, donors, volunteers, local performers, and friends, FIND Food Bank can continue to serve those experiencing food insecurity.
To help support FIND’s expansion and food programs, call 760-775-3663 or donate online at findfoodbank.org.
