During the holiday season, 49ers star linebacker Fred Warner took a unique turn by using his star power to raise awareness about hunger. In Walnut Creek, hundreds of fans queued up for hours just to meet him at a food drive event.

Using Star Power for a Good Cause

The 49ers' middle linebacker, Fred Warner, stepped away from his usual on-field role and joined a food drive in Walnut Creek on Monday evening. Fans showed great enthusiasm by waiting in line for hours, eager to meet the star football player. This event was hosted by Venardi Zurada, a law firm that partners with the team. It was the second time Warner participated in such an initiative.For Warner, doing the food drive is not just about the holiday season; it's about providing for the food bank throughout the year. All donations go to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County. The first 100 fans to arrive received an autographed photo of Warner, and one such fan was Jenny McGowan from San Jose. She took a day off from work and arrived at 6 a.m. to be in line. "Fred is one of my favorites. I think he has great energy. He makes football more fun to watch. I wanted to meet him for a really long time," she said.Organizers hope this year's donations will surpass last year's record of 1,600 pounds of food. Each pound of food can provide two meals, which is crucial for families worried about serving a holiday meal. About 300 people lined up to meet Warner and donate at the same time. A 10-year-old fan, Jonathan Escandon, traveled from Fresno with his parents. "He's the beast and he's one of the best linebackers," he said. His father, Anthony Escandon, added, "I've been a fan since I was a little kid. This is crazy."Warner expressed his gratitude for being a husband and a new father, and this was a way for him to give back. He encouraged others to do the same. "The holiday season is about being with family and friends. Let's keep in mind those who need a little extra help during this time," he said.The food bank serves 65,000 families each month, and having Warner at this event helps increase awareness of the issue of hunger. Warner is grateful for the many fans who came to see him and donate food.Amber Lee is a reporter with KTVU. Email Amber at [email protected] or text/leave a message at 510-599-3922. Follow her on Facebook @AmberKTVU, Instagram @AmberKTVU, or Twitter @AmberKTVU.