Belated Thanks to Kaweah Container, Inc.

Kaweah Container, Inc. donated 15,575 boxes for
use in our food distribution programs.

Before this wonderful donation, we reused and made do with a mish-mash of grocery bags and boxes our ever resourceful staff and volunteers scrounged up.

Packed Wellness Bags (boxes) sit ready for distribution.

Thank you to Kaweah Container, Inc. our food distribution will be more streamlined. With uniformly-sized containers, we can more efficiently get food to our neighbors in need.

Dustin's Back!

This is the same Dustin from a couple of days ago.

Dustin was back, this time with new toys. This kind and big-hearted young man used his own money to buy some of the toys, and his Uncle John helped with the rest.

Some of the toys donated by Dustin

Volunteers and staff watched with smiles on their faces as Dustin went to work distributing toys to the children in line for our emergency food distribution. Dustin's kindness and generosity brought some Christmas joy to those who were at EGFBS this Friday before Christmas.

P. S. Volunteers want to send their thanks to Dustin's Uncle John for providing them lunch. I hear it was delicious and very unexpected. Thanks!

Pepsi's Shoe Drive

Jeff Pugh from the Pepsi corporate office dropped off 90 pairs of shoes that they collected during their shoe drive for the Holidays.

We had a couple of photos of the generous people from Pepsi who delivered these shoes for our clients' precious feet; but the photos were too blurry to post.

We at EGFBS appreciate and thank Pepsi for their continued support.

Dustin's Donation

Dustin Samrow a local elementary school student collected blankets and toiletries to help local homeless clients from the Elk Grove Food Bank Services. Dustin also volunteered with the Christmas basket giveaway.

Christmas Basket Giveaway

The Food Bank served more than 450 families on December 21. Families received a turkey, ham or chicken and all the holiday trimmings along with a fresh pie. Senior Pastor Steve Steele from Oak Tree Church gave out over 200 Christmas trees.

Councilmember Sophia Scherman was also on hand to give out candy canes
with Santa and visit with clients.

Elk Grove Food Bank Services is proud to be the home of this giveaway and connect with the community in this special way.

Suzanne's Christmas Surprise

Suzanne brought in her gently-used toys

This generous second grader donated toys to Elk Grove Food Bank Services. Suzanne brought in her toys this week for children in our community who are less fortunate.

Councilmember Gary Davis, Suzanne, and Suzanne's proud Grandpa

Suzanne's donation was a huge surprise to us at EG Food Bank. Our clients' with children brought home toys in addition to the Christmas dinner food box.

Thank you, Suzanne for making Christmas a bit brighter.

Living Water Church Women's Tea

Our long-time supporters at Living Water Church invited clients, volunteers and staff from our Support Works program to their Women's Tea.

Our table was beautifully decorated by our hostess, Debbie. We were served tea by waiters (from the Church). The food was delicious and the service impeccable.

Chaya, a gifted singer/songwriter sang and shared personal stories of heartbreak and hope. We laughed and cried with her.

Cindy enjoyed the time with friends

Barb and our hostess, Debbie

Thank you, Living Water Church for your continued support. We at Support Works appreciate your inviting us to an uplifting and healing event.

Girl Scout Food Drive

These Scouts from Troop 1976 participated in the Kids Can! food drive at school, and they wanted to do more! This lively group delivered canned and packaged food to EGFBS. The Troop went on a tour of our warehouse with our Operations Manager, Travis.

We send our thanks to these wonderful girls. Your enthusiasm brought smiles to staff and volunteers. Thank you!

Jack and Caitlyn's Fundraiser

We send our thanks to these young, community-minded donors. Thank you, Jack and Caitlyn for raising money to help your neighbors through difficult times.

Thanksgiving Dinner at Palermo Ristorante

President Scott Rhoades and Director of Communication Ana Bertolucci from the Rotary Club of Laguna Sunrise coordinated the November dinner at Palermo. Ana was instrumental in working with other volunteers from other organizations to gather names of needy individuals to attend the dinner. Renee, our caseworker, arranged for many of our clients to attend this dinner. About 150 people were served salad and bread, turkey with stuffing, green beans, and mashed potatoes followed up with pumpkin pie for dessert.

Renee is working closely with the Rotary Club of Laguna Sunrise on behalf of our clients. The following are the results of their work to help our neighbors in need:

The Rotary adopted a family (two women and four children) who were living in their car after being evicted from a rental home (their landlord had defaulted on the property). One of the women, had a licensed childcare business in this home; the other woman was living there to escape a domestic violence situation. Renee, PATH caseworker, related our clients' situation to her Rotarian contacts.

The Rotary paid the second month rent for an apartment (first month rent was free), moved these ladies and purchased household items for them. They used some of their business contacts to schedule job interviews for our clients. The Rotary will continue to support these women until they become self sufficient.

The Rotary has assisted another PATH client with organizing and packing - to prepare to move out of her long-time home.

Thank you for all that you do to help those in our community who are in great need.

Coldwell Banker is Lending a Helping Hand

Just got an email from our friends at Coldwell Banker about their latest fundraiser to benefit EGFBS.

Coldwell Banker is helping to feed hungry hearts this holiday season with its 2nd Annual Sacramento Area Food Banks Holiday Fundraiser. Now through December 31, we are collecting donations to help support the Elk Grove, River City and Sacramento Food Banks and in turn, help make the holidays brighter for those in need. As a pledge of our commitment and dedication to the cause, Coldwell Banker Sacramento will match up to $2,500 in donations collected.

WE INVITE YOU TO HELP!

By making a monetary donation of $5 or more online at cbfoodbanks.eventbrite.com, you too can lend a helping hand to those in our communities who are hungry this holiday season.

For more information, please contact your local Coldwell Banker office by visiting CaliforniaMoves.com

Thank you for your support and for helping to make warm holiday wishes come true for so many.

Elk Grove Rotary is Warmly Appreciated

Elk Grove Rotary generously donated socks, caps and gloves for children this holiday season.

Patty Suter made the delivery on behalf of the Elk Grove Rotary.

Ron and Patty Suter also made a personal donation for the purchase of adult socks and gloves.

With economic conditions putting tighter financial restraints on families, many of our neighbors can't afford to purchase these items. Our clients will have warm heads, hands and feet thanks to Elk Grove Rotary and the Suters.

P. S. We appreciate EG Rotary and the Suter's continued support. Last year the Rotary purchased toys (along with the Suter's) for distribution by EG Food Bank.

Yes, It Is True

After watching the 60 Minutes piece a couple of Sundays ago about Families Living in Cars, we have been receiving calls and visits from people inquiring about how our situation in Elk Grove compares to the one on TV. "We don't have a homeless population, do we?"

The awful truth is that we do have a homeless population in Elk Grove. Our October statistics show the ones that came to EGFBS for food assistance: 40 families, 73 individuals, 12 children. I have no statistics on those who did not visit EGFBS.

If you want more truth, read on.

• EGFBS distributes food and clothing to approximately 800 children a month.
• We also assist about 500 senior citizens with emergency food distribution.
• Concerned citizens contact us for help for families of children who steal food from the lunch line, because there is none at home.
• Our caseworker, Renee, is currently assisting a homeless client with a heart condition. Renee is trying to get this client into a shelter, but the waiting list is long everywhere.

Yes, it is true.

2011 Turkey Donations and Distribution

CVS Regional District Manager Jill Gridley,
with local CVS Store Managers

Elk Grove CVS employees donated 150 turkeys for our Thanksgiving turkey distribution. Jill Gridley, Regional District Manager, said that when she realized that EGFBS is the local food bank for the Elk Grove area, she knew where to deliver the turkeys donated by the employees in her Region.

We distributed approximately 615 turkeys (200 more than last year). Our faithful volunteers made this year's donation and distribution process an efficient, effective and fun time.

We at the EG Food Bank are truly touched by the faithful work of local officials, organizations, and businesses who stepped up to provide our neighbors with food for their Thanksgiving celebration.

To those who collected and donated turkeys: our volunteers and staff who worked on Turkey Distribution Day convey the sincere thanks from our neighbors who came to receive. We thank you for giving locally.

And to volunteers and staff who distributed turkeys: I wonder if a "Thank You" from our organization could match the grateful and sincere thanks you received from the recipients of the turkeys. We thank you for your time, your caring and your faithfulness.

When we think about the enormous amount of food distributed, and the incredible number of families and individuals served; we step back and take a breath. Thank you to all involved in the donation and distribution of Thanksgiving turkeys; we couldn't do it without you.