Barry Bonds chips in at S.F. food bank distribution: ‘just happy to contribute’

Bonds and his daughter, Shikari, representing the Barry Bonds Family Foundation, appeared at the event to raise awareness of food-bank efforts, hand over a $15,000 check and load boxes into cars and trucks.

“The hard work that all the food-drive companies do is way more than what I’m doing,” Bonds said. “I’m just happy to contribute to that.”

Bonds answered a few questions from reporters, but when the subject turned to the Hall of Fame, the Giants legend and homers king deferred. In the latest election results released last week, he received 61.8% of the vote (75% is required) and has one year remaining on the ballot.

“This is way more important than what you just asked me,” Bonds said. “What we’re trying to do for America, what we’re trying to do in our community, I think is way more important than the question you just asked me because it’s well beyond me. I’m happy to do this and worry about your question next year.”

The Bonds family foundation was founded in 1993 by Bonds and his father, Bobby, a former Giants outfielder and coach, and much of the family has been involved, including Bonds’ mother, Pat.

Friday marked the fourth stop Bonds made in recent weeks to help with food distributions, including two in Marin and one in San Bruno, and he has donated a total of $50,000. He’s encouraging others to volunteer and make monetary contributions.

“The one thing people should never have to do is struggle to eat,” Bonds said. “There’s a lot of trials and tribulations around all our lives, but the one thing we should never have to do is struggle to survive.”

Bonds has included his three children in the process.

“I’m old now. Well, getting there,” said Bonds, 56. “This is their time to shine. This is what they want to do. They’re at a point in their lives where these contributions mean a lot to them. We’ve talked about those things to find out what this really means and what’s really important to you, how you feel you want contribute throughout this community.

“I said, ‘You know, your dad’s been very lucky and fortunate to give back.’ My daughter’s 30 years old. My son’s 31. My youngest, just today, turned 22.”

Bonds said he felt “gifted” when noting the Feb. 5 birthday also belonged to Hank Aaron, who died two weeks ago at 86.

Bonds broke Aaron’s career homers record in 2007 and obviously has the stats for induction in Cooperstown, but he continues to be held back by voters because of his ties to performance-enhancing drugs.

In discussions with his kids, Bonds spoke of the importance of “giving back to the things that mean most to you,” especially the community.

Shikari, the eldest of the children, has involved herself in community service over the years and said, “Just to have a bigger impact and be a bigger part of my family’s foundation, I’m grateful to have the opportunity to do that, and I’m excited about it.”