Successful June Baby Drive

In June, local Elk Grove banks teamed up for the June Baby Drive benefiting Elk Grove Food Bank Services. Donations of diapers, formula, books cleansing items and more were dropped off at local branches of River City Bank, Bank of Commerce, El Dorado Savings, US Bank and Mechanics Bank.

The drive, organized by Teresa Rodriguez, Intern to Elk Grove City Council member Gary Davis, placed large boxes inside the branch offices. Employees of the branches decorated the boxes which included the “June Baby Drive” poster designed by Connie Conley of the Elk Grove Community Connection.

Davis and Rodriguez presented all the collected items to Jeri Retzlaff, Chairperson of Elk Grove Food Bank Services; Jim Cline, Board Member and General Manager of Frontier Communications; and Mike Retzlaff, Board Member.

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.

First Saturdays at Light of the Valley

Elk Grove Food Bank Services will open a satellite distribution site at Light of the Valley Lutheran Church. On the first Saturday of the month, starting July 2, volunteers from the Church will be on hand to help those who need a bit of assistance.

Light of the Valley Lutheran Church
9270 Bruceville Road
Elk Grove, CA 95758-9514

First Saturday of the month, 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon

Eligibility requirements are the same as our weekday distribution at our Dino Drive facility.

Bowling Extravaganza

Elk Grove Mayor Steve Detrick,

Vice Mayor Jim Cooper and
Council member Gary Davis
invite you to attend. . .
“A Bowling Extravaganza Charity Event”
Friday, August 26, 2011
Strikes in Elk Grove
$125 per team (4 players)
7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Benefiting . . .
Elk Grove Food Bank Services
& Elk Grove Together!!

Includes shoe rental, appetizers, great prizes, raffle and more!!
For registration info, please contact Teresa at 916.606.3905
or Connie at 916.719.8570

EG DeMolay Dinner Fundraiser

This organization, dedicated to preparing young men to lead successful, happy, and productive lives, is having a dinner fundraiser for EG Food Bank. DeMolay opens doors for young men aged 12 to 21 by developing the civic awareness, personal responsibility and leadership skills.

The Dinner Fundraiser will be held on Saturday, July 16, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. at Elk Grove Masonic Temple. Tickets are $10. This fundraiser will benefit Elk Grove Food Bank Services and the Shriners.

What: Dinner Fundraiser

When: Saturday, July 16, 2011 at 5:30 p.m.

Where: Elk Grove Masonic Temple, 9829 Waterman Road, Elk Grove, CA 95624

Tickets: $10, contact Steve Orwig 916-683-3823 for more information.

The Best Sign Juggler in Elk Grove!

Our multi-talented volunteer, fundraiser, cross-country bicycler, John Platt.

Who knew that this amazing asset to EG Food Bank could juggle a sign on a street corner with the best of them. John has the moves to keep up with sign jugglers more than 50 years his junior! Wonder what music he is listening to on his iPod?

Come and witness John's gymnastic moves this Holiday weekend at the southeast corner of Elk Grove Boulevard and Waterman Road. While you are there and if you are going to purchase fireworks for your July 4th celebration, stop by our fireworks booth and make your purchase.

All profits will benefit our Support Works program that aids homeless people, provides job readiness training, referral support, case management, women's support group and parenting classes.