Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Such a Generous Donation!!

Friends of the Elk Grove Food Bank 
continue to fill the needs of our community


An amazing and generous donation arrived at the Elk Grove Food Bank on Monday. Elk Grove residents Bobby and Jean Sadler arrived with their truck filled to the top with 482 pounds of canned tuna, mandarin oranges, beans, Ramen, and cereal.  Bobby and Jean shopped local stores, receiving discounts for purchasing in large quantities. It took several volunteers to unload the food that will help restock the shelves of the Food Bank. 

Jean Sadler is a past Elk Grove Food Bank Board Member. She has also worked tirelessly on the KCRA Kids Can Food Drive. She and her husband continue the mission of the EGFB “Fill the Need — Feed the Hope”. This donation could not have come at a better time when a higher demand for needy children when school is out.


Thursday, June 12, 2014

Free Nursing Outreach Services at EGFBS Starting in July

EGFBS is the place to be on Fridays!

Starting July 18, 2014, Health Care for the Homeless outreach nurses will be at Elk Grove Food Bank Services.  The nurses will engage, assess, triage, treat, educate and provide preventative adult and childhood immunizations.  The nurses will also make efforts to connect clients to ongoing medical care and assist uninsured individuals with health care applications for Medi-Cal enrollment.  This service will be available, starting on July 18, 2014, every Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and will be available to “all” clients of the Food Bank.

Since 1988, Sacramento County has led a vital collaborative dedicated to better health for homeless individuals.  As a county government in California, Sacramento County is the organization legally mandated to provide health services to medically indigent adults meeting specific criteria.  Sacramento County is uniquely positioned to provide comprehensive healthcare for this culturally diverse, low income population.  The County maintains an infrastructure for health services that includes primary care, behavioral health, pharmacy services, contracted specialty and hospital care, emergency dental, public health care and chronic disease management.  In 2013, the County served 8,270 homeless clients with 20,000 visits; 594 clients originated from the ZIP codes served by Elk Grove Food Bank Services

Established in 1974, the Elk Grove Food Bank Services is a critical component to the welfare of the Elk Grove community, providing food, clothing and resources to our neighbors in need.  The Food Bank receives funding from churches, individual donors, foundations, businesses, grants, local, and federal governments. The Food Bank serves roughly 3,500 individuals a month and 42,000 encounters annually.

What:              Free Outreach Nursing Services

When:              Starting July 18, 2014, every Friday
                        10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Where:             Elk Grove Food Bank Services
                        9820 Dino Drive, Suite 140
                        Elk Grove, CA  95624


Contact:          916-685-8453

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Celebrating 40 Years with 10th Annual Run 4 Independence

Are you Ready to Run?

Elk Grove Food Bank Services is marking its 40th year of continuous service with the 10th annual Run 4 Independence.  Start off Independence Week by joining runners and walkers to celebrate with the Food Bank on Saturday, June 28, 2014, beginning at 8:00 a.m.  

The event includes 5k and 10k courses that start in beautiful Elk Grove Regional Park and winds through the surrounding neighborhoods.  For kids 12 and under, there are half-mile and quarter-mile fun runs.

The Run features disposable chip timing for the 5k/10k; Age group awards; Team awards; Short-sleeve Run T-shirts; flat course; post-run food, entertainment and the Pride of Laguna Lions will serve their famous pancakes.


Proceeds from the Run 4 Independence will benefit Elk Grove Food Bank Services (EGFBS), a non-profit dedicated to alleviating hunger, develop programs to address food insecurity in our community; build client self-sufficiency; and provide an opportunity for volunteerism.  A portion of the proceeds will also support P.A.T.H (People Assisting the Homeless), a non-profit organization that assists and mentors the homeless in Elk Grove.  The EGFBS serves over 3,500 clients each month and has approximately 42,000 client encounters annually.  For more information visit: www.elkgrovefoodbank.org or to register:  www.run4independence.com.

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Filling a Community Need - One Zip Code At a Time

EGFBS is Expanding Service Again!




Elk Grove Food Bank Services (EGFBS) is stepping up to the "plate" again and is expanding into the 95828 zip code area.  Here's where you come in: We NEED YOUR HELP to aid the low-income and/or hungry residents of 95828.  IF you are aware of any people that need assistance, the following are locations and times where EGFBS can serve them: 

Elk Grove Food Bank Services
9820 Dino Drive, Suite 140
Elk Grove, CA  95624
Phone:  916-685-8453
Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Impact Community Church (new mobile site starting June 26th)
8299 E. Stockton Boulevard
Sacramento, CA  95828
Phone:  916-685-8453 (EGFBS)
Fourth Thursday of each month, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.


DETAILS:
Residents may receive food once each calendar month.  An identification card is required for each family member.  As proof of residency, a current SMUD or PG&E bill is required for verification.  For additional information or clarification, see http://www.elkgrovefoodbank.org/programs/food-closet/eligibility or contact us at 916-685-8453 during business hours.  

Friday, June 6, 2014

EGFBS Benefits from Raley's Food for Families Summer Donation Drive


Elk Grove, CA – With 1 in 6 Americans facing hunger, food insecurity is one of the most challenging issues facing our nation today. Not to mention that families in need are also substantially less likely to get enough of the healthy fruits and vegetables required for a balanced diet- but you can help! This month, Raley’s is launching a Summer Donation Drive. Raley’s will provide a matching donation of fresh produce for every dollar donated, up to $25,000, now through July 31st. 

 “We know that families facing hunger are also far less likely to eat a nutritionally complete diet. It’s been a dream of Food For Families to offer our food bank partners both fresh produce and dry goods,” said Jennie Teel-Wolter, Raley’s Community Relations Manager. “With the addition of fresh produce to the line-up of offerings, we are confident we are taking positive steps to better fight hunger and its associated health impacts.”

Food For Families began as a holiday food drive, founded by Raley’s Co Chairman and Owner Joyce Raley Teel and CEO Emeritus Charles Collings in 1986. Through the Food for Families partnership with local food banks, the program raises monetary and food donations to serve those in need with Raley’s absorbing all administrative costs of the program. That means 100 percent of every donation goes directly to feeding the hungry. With the help and support of employees, customers and business partners, Food For Families has raised more than $31 million and donated more than 21 million pounds of dry groceries to food banks.

While obtaining food is a challenge for tens of millions of Americans, accessing nutritious food has proven to be even more difficult. Low-income levels have historically been linked to higher rates of obesity.  A recent study revealed obesity rates increased by 10 percent for all U.S. children 10 to 17 years old between 2003 and 2007, but by 23 percent during the same time period for low-income children. With the recently launched pilot program, Food For Families hopes to address hunger and obesity simultaneously by making fresh produce available for those who may not always have access to it.

“During the school year, many families rely upon free or reduced cost school lunch programs to provide their children with well-rounded meals,” said Teel-Wolter. “Over the summer break, these children can become vulnerable to food insecurity. Our Food For Families Fresh donation drive will help bolster the supply of healthy food at our local food banks to meet the increased need.”

Established in 1974, the Elk Grove Food Bank Services is a critical component to the welfare of the Elk Grove community, providing food, clothing and resources to our neighbors in need.  The Food Bank receives funding from individual donors, foundations, businesses, churches and local/federal governments. The summer break has severely affected the number of clients aided by EG Food Bank:  in the month of May 2014, 3,512 individuals used the services of the Food Bank – 444 more individuals than the previous months; a 14.5 percent increase. 

Making a donation is easy, and can be done from the comfort of your own home, from your cell phone or during your next trip to your local Raley’s Family of Fine Foods Stores (Raley’s, Bel-Air or NobHill). See below for details:

·     *    Visit a Raley’s store to make a donation at checkout
·     *    Text ENDHUNGER to 85944 to make your donation
·      *   Make a pledge on the Food For Families Facebook page- facebook.com/raleysfoodforfamilies

·     *    Go online to www.FoodForFamilies.com to donate