Representatives from a variety of local businesses were in attendance for the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce's "Early Fall Harvest" themed after hours mixer and fundraising food drive, hosted by the Mission Valley Bank on Wednesday night.

The event was put on with a dual purpose in mind, to celebrate the Mission Valley Bank's two year anniversary in Santa Clarita, and to collect much needed food and monetary donations for two SCV food banks.

"We're happy to sponsor the chamber of commerce," said Marianne Cederlind, Mission Valley Bank senior Vice president. "We believe in them, and feel they are an important member of the community."

"We support many organizations out there, and annually evaluate where we can be of most benefit to Santa Clarita," Cederlind said.

In addition to the traditional business networking that takes place, chamber members who attended were encouraged to make either a monetary or non-perishable food item donation in support of either the Hunger Defense Fund, or the Santa Clarita Valley Food pantry.

Food donations were made collectively for both of the food banks and later divided equally between the two organizations. Monetary donations were collected separately, with individuals choosing which food bank they preferred to make a donation to.

Also a donation of $500 was made by Mission Valley Bank to both the Hunger Defense Fund and the Santa Clarita Valley Food pantry.

"We were so thrilled to be included in their chamber mixer," said Belinda Crawford, SCV Food Pantry executive director. "It's wonderful to see a big corporation like Mission Valley Bank partnered with nonprofits."

All of the donated food items will go directly to the pantries to be deployed, while the monetary donations will be used to replenish dwindling supplies of the most essential items.

"We can stretch the dollars and buy more food items for the dollar than the average consumer," Crawford said.

Although both the Hunger Defense fund and SCV Food Pantry take donations year round, supplies usually tend to dwindle during the summer. Coincidentally it is during these months that families who are on a strained food budget struggle the most.

Because of this trend, the decision was made to host the event now, instead of during the more traditional holiday fundraising season.

"Forty percent of our donations come during the holiday season," Crawford said. "This is an enormous help."