Nutritious Eating on a Budget

Mark Your Calendar - 1st Class in two days!!

First class: Nutritious Eating on a Budget to begin in two days! The Support Works program of the Elk Grove Food Bank is pleased to announce our “Nutritious Eating on a Budget” series of classes taught by our very own July Sala, Food Bank Case Manager.  We all know that ensuring nutritious meals for yourself and family can be challenging given our busy lives but it is even more challenging when one is on a limited income or budget. The purpose of the “Nutritious Eating on a Budget” is to provide concepts, tips and recipes while conducting interactive and hands-on demonstrations

Overview: Nutritious Eating on a Budget by Judy Sala

Each class has several hand-outs covering the topics of discussion, plus several healthy recipes and shopping tips. On the fourth week, we demonstrate cooking two of the recipes and get to sample the foods (a low cost, high protein main dish and a low-sugar, fruit-based dessert).

• Price: FREE
• Terms: First-come first serve, just show up!
• For More Information: Please contact Judy Sala, Elk Grove Food Bank Case Manager (916) 685-8453

Schedule of Classes

Classes are taught four Wednesdays in April from 10 AM – 11:30 AM at United Methodist Church (Lower Level Bartholomew Hall), 8986 Elk Grove Blvd (on the corner of Elk Grove Blvd. and Gage).

• Week One – April 9th “What’s Healthy?” – Overview of Food Basics; Healthy Food That Tastes Great (complete)
• Week Two – April 16th “Healthy Food” – Revising Recipes; Choosing Healthy Snacks; Special Dietary Needs (complete)
• Week Three – April 23rd “Healthy Shopping” – Smart Shopping (menu planning, using coupons etc.) for Cooking on a Budget
• Week Four – April 30th “Healthy Cooking” – What Needs to be Added to the Basics (spices, herbs, cooking tips); Cooking Demonstration; Sample a Healthy Meal; Certificates of Completion.

About the Instructor – Judy Sala

Judy Sala is the Case Manager for the Elk Grove Food Bank, a nutritionist and local senior living facility chef. Her class curriculum is based on an adapted version of the USDA “Choose My Plate” Program.

About the Support Works Program of the Elk Grove Food Bank

Support Works is a program of the Elk Grove Food Bank. We offer programs designed to help individuals improve their current situation by providing job readiness and life skill classes to move toward self-sufficiency and financial independence.

PetSmart Pet Food Drive

Mark Your Calendars!

PetSmart Hosts Pet Food Drive for Elk Food Bank Services                  

On Saturday, April 26, 2014, PetSmart stores in the greater Sacramento area will be hosting a pet food drive in partnership with Good Day Sacramento for participating Food Banks. This has been made possible thanks to the following sponsors: Blue Buffalo, Bill-Jac, Procter & Gamble and Nutro.

Elk Grove Food Bank Services (EGFBS) will receive donations from the Elk Grove PetSmart location in addition to the south Sacramento and Rancho Cordova stores. PetSmart will be a drop off location for donations and will have a wide selection of pet foods to choose from that can be purchased and donated to benefit EGFBS. 

Like anyone who has been “adopted” by their furry kids, the clients of Elk Grove Food Bank love their pets. “For some of our clients, their pet is their only source of companionship", said Marie Jachino, Executive Director.  “Helping families and especially our seniors and homeless stay together with their pets is crucial.

Please stop by one of three PetSmart locations benefiting EGFBS and donate to this worthy cause.  Your donations will make a difference for pets and pet parents in your community.

3rd Annual Resource Fair

Elk Grove Food Bank Services is holding their 3rd annual Resource Fair on Tuesday, May 6, from 10 am to 2 pm. Representatives from Sacramento Self Help Housing, Veterans Family Services Volunteers of America, The Center for Employment Training, and Legal Services of Northern California will be available to answer questions. 

Additional Information offering helpful resources in the area will be available, including information about the many Food Bank services and the Clothes Closet, free blood pressure checks, demonstrations of nutritious cooking on a budget, financial services information, and much more. 

The Resource Fair will be held in the Food Bank parking lot, located at 9820 Dino Drive (nearest cross street is Waterman). For additional information, please contact the Elk Grove Food Bank at 916-685-8453.

Elk Grove Community Garden Vegetable Plant Sale

Buy Locally Grown Vegetable Plants

Hampton Oaks - The Elk Grove Community Garden will be hosting their annual Vegetable Plant Sale on April 19th, 2014, from 9 am - Noon.  Join them at the Elk Grove Community Garden and Learning Center, 10025 Hampton Oak Drive, Elk Grove. 

There will be many varieties of tomato plants for sale, along with peppers, squash and herbs. Most vegetables are $1.

As a bonus, a Master Gardener will be present to answer any questions.

Thank you for supporting the community garden. By supporting them, you help support the Elk Grove Food Bank. (The EG Community Garden has approximately 26 plots dedicated to the EG Food Bank.  Thank you very much!!)

Map of Elk Grove Community Garden

Arlene Hein Elementary Schools' Garden of Abundance

Welcome To Our Garden

Background - On May 9, 2013, Arlene Hein students, staff and parents, Hein alumnus, Home Dept representatives and Boy Scout Jason Li commemorated the expansion of the garden.

Jason Li raised funds for the 12 redwood planter boxes and built the garden with help from his Boy Scout Troop. This was Jason Li's Eagle Scout project in 2012. In 2013 Home Depot partnered with Hein and donated small citrus trees, organic fertilizer, marigold flowers (to keep the bugs away from the tomato plants), the redwood pergola, fruit and vegetable seedlings and gardening tools. What a great partner!

In August 2013, the school had donated 25 lbs of veggies to the Elk Grove Food Bank! The garden has been a wonderful hands-on learning experience for the students and staff as well. Mrs. Fennell's 6th Grade class even wrote about their observations. And, in February 2014, Goldy Shergill dropped off more veggies! Ms. Shergill had this to say, "We have donated over 80 lbs. of fresh vegetables and herbs since we started the garden in the Spring of 2013. It could not have been possible without Kristin Thompson Mullard, Judy Mead-Silaj, Christine Baeta and Student Leaders at Hein Elementary!" 

Kindergarten teachers Kristin Mullard and Judy Meade are ardent supporters of the garden. Here are more pictures from the garden, courtesy of Ms. Mullard.

View of the garden's raised beds

Tomatoes

Gorgeous sunflower

Time to plant the lettuce

Check out those seedlings they grew!

This month we (my grandson Jayce and I) were given a tour of the garden at the end of the winter growing season.  The plants were well attended, and the school is looking forward to the next upgrade - drip irrigation. This will really help with water conservation and watering over the summer.

Here are some pics from that day:

An artichoke - it's not as big as it looks.

Beets

Cauliflower

An Herb?

My grandson and I really enjoyed and appreciated the time that Mrs. Mullard and Mrs. Meade spent showing us around the garden.  We even got to take home a radish and a cauliflower. Yummy!

Does your elementary school have a garden? Do you share your veggies with the Elk Grove Food Bank? Comment and add your pictures here!

Helping the Homeless of Elk Grove

You're Never Too Young...

Sophia Levasseur, a Joseph Sims Elementary School 4th grader, is learning at an early age, how rewarding volunteering can be.  After a busy week of school, violin and tap dance lessons and rehearsals for her upcoming performance in CATS by the River City Theatre Company, she makes time to help others. 

                              (Pictured with Sophia is her grandmother, Marie Levasseur,                                who has been a volunteer at the Food Bank since 2006.)

Recently, she prepared 34 hygiene bags for homeless clients of the Elk Grove Food Bank. Sophia carefully filled each bag with donated hygiene supplies.  She would like to continue filling bags at home. A variety of toiletry supplies, for example: toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant and specific men's and women's items are needed to continue this project. 

The Elk Grove Food Bank and the homeless greatly appreciate Sophia’s efforts!  If you can donate toiletry items please drop them off at the Elk Grove Food Bank. 

The Food Bank is located at 9820 Dino Dr. #140, Elk Grove.

5,323 Thanks to the Elk Grove Community Garden!

The Elk Grove Community Garden donated a grand total of 5,323 pounds of fresh produce and herbs during its garden year March, 2013 - February 2014. 

The Community Garden is entering its 10th growing season and continues to be very successful and one of the best community gardens in the Sacramento area. What a great way to get healthy food on the table to those in need!  EGFBS is extremely grateful for the generous support and partnership over the years.

In the Community Garden there are approximately 26 EGFBS plots. Would it amaze you to learn that members volunteered over 1,528 hours working in  the garden? Whew!  

This Herb Garden was originally an EGFBS Support Works project through a Career Class. It was designed to be a Tea Garden. The class designed the layout, submitted it for Board approval, and then got to work. It has pathways, a drip irrigation system and plants. It has been transformed into an Herb Garden.

Elk Grove is a great community!