SANTA ROSA, March 11 - The Redwood Empire Food Bank will receive approximately 30,000 fresh eggs this week, part of a nationwide donation by egg producers. The eggs are being provided by United Egg Producers and the American Egg Board which are donating more than 12 million eggs throughout the U.S. through the end of March.

The REFB, the largest hunger relief agency north of San Francisco and serving five counties north to the Oregon border, will receive three pallets. Each pallet holds about 10,000 eggs.

David Goodman, executive director of the REFB, said the egg donation comes at a particularly needy time as food banks everywhere struggle to stock their shelves and as it becomes more difficult for low-income people and seniors to keep healthy food supplies on the table.

"Rising food prices are being felt by everyone and especially so by the 50,000 people and low-income families we serve in Sonoma County every month as well as in other communities on the North Coast," Goodman said. "These eggs will help put some essential protein on the tables of people in need."

The eggs are scheduled to be delivered this week in Sonoma County. Other Bay Area and Central California food banks receiving the eggs are Alameda, San Jose, Sacramento, San Francisco, Manteca, Fresno, and Concord.

The REFB, working with 128 human service agencies that operate 214 programs, serves people in need in Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties. During the current fiscal year, it will distribute more than 11 million pounds of food.

For more information, call David Goodman, 707-523-7900.