Volunteers Needed!

Put Your Hands & Heart to Work

The EGFBS Clothes Closet has a need for volunteers on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. This clothing program offers men, women, and children to select clothing items when they pick up food services. 

If you have one day a week, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and enjoy working with others, we hope you'll consider applying. For Volunteer applications, Click Here. 

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.  

Elk Grove Food Bank Services Will Open on Saturdays

Beginning in April, the Elk Grove Food Bank Services (EGFBS) will be open on Saturdays thanks to a partnership with Elk Grove PATH-EG WINS.  Over thirty volunteers from the EG WINS Winter Sanctuary program have pulled together to lend a hand and make a commitment to help make this possible. In an effort to best meet the needs of families and individuals experiencing hardship, especially those who work during the day, EGFBS will now offer food and clothing on Saturdays starting April 5.

“Elk Grove PATH is excited to assist the Food Bank on Saturdays,” said Ed Kelly, one of the community leaders spearheading the new service day. “We think this will really help many working people who can’t come on a weekday.”

“Elk Grove Food Bank Services serves an incredible need, and I am thrilled to able to expand our service hours on Saturdays," said Marie Jachino, Executive Director. “We are extremely proud to partner with Elk Grove PATH/EG WINS supporting such a critical mission.  We don’t see an end in sight to the ever - growing levels of hunger.”

Since 1974 – “40 years,” the Elk Grove Food Bank Services has battled hunger and food insecurity in the Elk Grove and surrounding communities. The Food Bank provides food and others services to over 3,000 people each month.

When:  Saturdays starting April 5, 2014, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Where:  9820 Dino Drive, Suite 140

            Elk Grove, CA  95624

More Information is available at www.elkgrovefoodbank.org.

March is National Nutrition Month - Focus on Fruit

10 Tips Focus on Fruit

It's true that nowadays people are concerned about their sugar intake. However, the abundance of sugar that people are putting in their bodies...they're drinking it. You know, sugary sodas in large quantities multiple times a day. Or, it's in a candy bar, or cereal, or ice cream. It is NOT from eating a piece of fruit. Or a handful.

Check out Sophie Egan's New York Times article, "Making the Case for Eating Fruit." Fruit can help us from overeating. Because fruit rich in fiber breaks down slower than processed food (think potato chips), it triggers "...the satiety hormones that tend to cluster further down the small intestines." And, who doesn't like to feel sated?

Click Here for 10 Tips that focus on fruit and eating more of it! Tell us which tips you have integrated into your life.

On another note, have your registered for the Run 4 Independence benefiting the EG Food Bank? See you there on June 28th!

March - It's National Nutrition Month

Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right

When you're shopping for groceries, do you shop with a list, and stick to it? Do you shop with your stomach and eyes? And, I'm talking about usually here. Sure, there are those occasional (right?) times that you are in a hurry and pick up something quick to eat. But, I'm talking about when you've had time to plan out your meals. You want to get the most taste and nutrition for the money.

Would you agree that the foods you eat most often are the ones you like? Therefore, you want to make good, informed choices so you can develop healthy eating habits. Everyone's so busy these days: working, playing, raising kids, going back to school, volunteering, etc.  

So, before you go shopping, here is a link to help you at the grocery store. Check out "Shop Smart - Get theFacts on Food Labels."

But remember, portion size is as important as good nutrition.  Next time we'll talk about healthy eating on the go!

MLK Inspires Service by Kaiser Employees

MLK Day at the Elk Grove Food Bank with Kaiser Employees

Bright and early this morning, the air was crisp and the people were energized!  Kaiser Permanente, which has been a strong supporter* of the Elk Grove Food Bank Services (EGFBS)for the past 10 years, organized 80 of their employees and family members to volunteer today on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  

Also on hand for support were Congressman Ami Bera, Mayor Gary Davis, and Food Bank Board of Directors: Jerry Braxmeyer, Betty Hall, Mark Jansson and Dean Scourtes. Marie Jachino, Executive Director, was thrilled to see so many smiling faces and helping hands.

When Congressman Bera (left) was asked what people would be surprised to know about the Elk Grove Food Bank Services, he mentioned the statistics quoted by Jerry Braxmeyer. One such statistic is the number of people served: 34,747. That is a huge number! And, when asked what motivates him to volunteer, he mentioned that although our community appears to be doing well, we still have groups of people, such as our seniors, who go to bed hungry.

Our next speaker was Mayor Gary Davis (right). He thanked Kaiser for organizing their employees to come out on this National Day of Service, also known as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. And, he thanked all of the Kaiser employees and their families for coming out to the Food Bank to help sort community donated food and clothing. As the saying goes, "Many hands make light work."

When Patricia Rodriguez, Senior Vice President of Kaiser Permanante (left) was asked what people would be surprised to know about EGFBS, she said the wide variety of constituents that the Food Bank supports.  When asked what motivates her to volunteer, she indicated it’s the way she pays rent for living on this Earth. And, she loves helping people!

EGFBS is truly blessed to be able to provide essential services to help those in need here in our local Elk Grove community and surrounding areas.

EGFBS wants to thank everyone for getting up early to come out and spend their morning sorting donated food, bagging cat and dog food, sorting toiletries, and gently–used clothing. EGFBS is always looking for volunteers; do you have time on your hands?

  Mayor Gary Davis, EGFBS Marie Jachino, Congressman Ami Bera and Kaiser Senior VP of Kaiser Permanente.

Photo by Karla A. Haiberg

* In 2013, EGFBS was able to expand our Mobile Distribution sites to serve more "low income" seniors"; thanks to a generous grant from Kaiser Permanente.

Website's New Look

Have you checked the Elk Grove Food Bank Services website lately?  Changes have been made and it's gorgeous!  Our wonderfully talented webmaster put it together and it shows her creativity and talent.   

The information about our services and programs is well organized and updated.  You will be able to find all kinds of information about our seven programs, upcoming events and how you can  help us. 

Spring is Here!

Dale, our Operations Coordinator, got the job to brighten up the entrance of our office with some happy flowers.

Our Executive Director, Marie, found these marigolds over the weekend. They will have a happy home just outside our office door.


Dale confided to me that he was not the gardener in his household, and that he hoped the flowers he planted would survive his efforts.


Finished product looks good and will give our visitors something to smile about. Thanks, Dale!

Strauss Festival Food Drive

At this year’s production, “Spring Time in Vienna,” Strauss Festival organizers have arranged to hold a food drive benefiting Elk Grove Food Bank Services. Strauss fans can participate by bringing non-perishable food to collection points set up throughout the venue.

The following is a list of non-perishable food that EG Food Bank distributes: ENSURE, pasta, mac & cheese, boxed mashed potatoes, packaged rice, packaged beans, canned fruit, canned vegetables, soup, tuna and other canned meat, canned chicken, cereal products, and high protein foods (such as canned chili, peanut butter, beans).

In addition to the Food Drive, EGFBS will benefit from deposit beverage containers collected from festival attendees. Every bottle that is recycled will not only keep our park clean, but also help those in our community in need.

What: Food Drive at Strauss Festival of Elk Grove

When: July 28 – 31, 2011, 7:45 p.m.

Where: Elk Grove Regional Park, Strauss Island,

9950 Elk Grove-Florin Road,

Elk Grove, CA 95624

Messages from the Road

The following is part of an email received from our EGFBS RAGBRAI Team riding across Iowa to raise funds for our homeless population in Elk Grove.

John Platt, John van Doren, Arnie Vierra, Penny Pinard, Wendy Wyles and Frank Lucia landed in Omaha, Nebraska on Friday afternoon and arrived at their hotel in Counsel Bluff, Iowa around 3:30pm. An hour later, Dave Hieronimus and Norm Fadness arrived at the hotel after a two-day 27 hour truck ride with all our bikes and gear. Norm will be acting as our "equipment manager"throughout the 7 day 454 mile bike ride across Iowa starting on Sunday.

Saturday morning, seven of us took a leisurely 20 mile bike ride to stretch our legs and attempt to acclimate to the weather. Temperatures mid day have averaged around 90 degrees with humidity around 60%. Signs of flooding are all around us. The Missouri River is very high and running hard. There is anticipation of more flooding in the near future.

In the early afternoon, the eight of us piled in the pick-up truck (three of us had to ride in the back of the truck) and ventured down the freeway to Glenwood, 17 miles away. This will be the start of our bike tour. After buying some clothing/supplies and eating a light lunch we spent a short time in the quaint town of Glenwood and began our journey back to the hotel. It started to rain heavily for about 10 minutes which made for an interesting ride for Arnie, John Van Doran and Frank, who rode in the back of the truck, uncovered.

John Platt and I want to thank all those who have sent in donations or pledges for the homeless in Elk Grove. All pledges and donations will go directly to the homeless. It is our hope this bike ride will draw more attention to the needs of the less fortunate in Elk Grove.

We have found the people of Iowa to be very friendly and look forward to the first day of our bike ride tomorrow. It is expected to include 10,000 riders.

Our team would like you to know that if you would like to contribute and help our homeless population in Elk Grove, please send your check to:

Elk Grove Food Bank Services
ATTN: PATH
P. O. Box 1447
Elk Grove, CA 95759

Thank you.