The giant Fork in the Road sculpture is more than public art; it's also inspiration for a great food drive, "Stick the Fork in Hunger," that raised 5 tons of food last year and aims to bring in even more this November.
The Thanksgiving food drive will take place Nov. 9 and 10. Phil Coombs and the rest of the Fork in the Road gang organize the drive, which started in 2009.
Stick the Fork in Hunger was inspired by the famous 18-foot Fork in the Road sculpture, installed where Pasadena and St. John avenues converge at Bellefontaine Street. It’s a favorite feature for those who live in Pasadena and regularly pass by the intersection.
The sculpture was recently featured on the Today show due to the visit of a 6-ton Idaho Potato. The Idaho Potato Commission, in celebrating its 75th year, sent its giant spud across 36 states to meet up with the fork – generating donations to charity in the process.
The sculpture was originally planted there as a bit of a prank, without proper authority, yet its popularity saved the piece from being discarded. It was removed at one point, but after some improvements, was returned to the spot permanently. Now the fork is refurbished, reinforced and insured by the Fork in the Road Gang.
The Fork in the Road has garnered plenty of national news coverage, ranging from the LA Times to the Today Show. A variety of regional news sources have written articles and done TV reports about the art sculpture and/or the food drive that Coombs and his Fork in the Road Gang help organize and promote each year. They deserve credit for generating interest in the food drive and continuing to make it a success.
Stick the Fork in Hunger was reportedly the biggest food drive in Pasadena history after last year’s haul of 5 tons of food. All its donations are turned over to the Union Station Homeless Services for distribution to needy families.
It's a worthwhile event, and I urge anyone with the mean to participate to help make this year's effort even bigger than the last.
