Thursday, September 20, 2012

Dignity Health Workshops

A series of upcoming "Healthier Living" workshops at Elk Grove Food Bank Services, organized by Dignity Health, will offer tips and tools to cope with chronic conditions by adopting healthier ways of living. 

The free workshops are based on Stanford University's Chronic Disease Self-Management Program.  People who want to attend do not need to have chronic disease, and can work on prevention.  Those with conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure or chronic pain anxiety, for example, are being welcomed to the program, which runs for six consecutive weeks. 

During the six weeks, participants will meet once weekly for two and a half hours.  Healthy light snacks will be served. 

The workshops will start Thursday November 1, 2012, at Elk Grove Food Bank Services, 9820 Dino Drive, Suite 140, Elk Grove.  Time:  9:30 a.m. to noon. 

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Support Works Reunion


Our Support Works program has been in operation for five years and we thought it was time for a reunion to catch up with clients and see what everyone was up to. 

 
Our volunteers started making calls to past clients.  We found that the majority were working or in school!  Many could not attend our reunion because of their work and academic commitments.  
 

We enjoyed each others company and were delighted with the further accomplishments made by our clients after graduation from Support Works. 


Originally Support Works was developed to help women out of the cycle of dependence on our services and work towards self-sufficiency.  We originally provided job readiness training, support group, and connection to community resources. 


Betty Hall, from our Board of Directors, attended to show her support for our Program.  Mary Ann Chappelle Program Manager, Betty Hall, Bobby Jordan, and Holly Taylor are Soroptimists.  The Sorportimists have provided monetary and volunteer support that has been essential for Program operations. 


Some of our graduates took time off from work to attend.  We were touched by their devotion to our Program.  Many of these graduates happily return as volunteers and help us at events and specialized work days. 

Marcie and Bill

After a couple of years of operation, we started to include men in our Program.  Bill was one of our first male clients. 
 
Support Works has extended our services to include: 
 
Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday:  Caseworker is available by appointment
Monday thru Friday:  Information and Referral
Tuesday:  Job Readiness Training by appointment
Tuesday and Wednesday:  Help navigating Public Assistance Programs by appointment
Wednesday:  ESL and GED Preparation Distance Learning Classes
Please call at 916-685-8453 for appointment or more info. 
 
 
Support Works - a program provided by Elk Grove Food Bank Services
9820 Dino Drive, Suite 140
Elk Grove, CA  95624
916-685-8453
 

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Sad Passing at EGFBS



Saber, service dog of one our clients, passed on Wednesday morning.  Saber was a loving labrador mix that faithfully and lovingly served.  Saber not only served his master, he also served volunteers and staff here at Elk Grove Food Bank Services.  After you got to know Saber, he would come by and greet you whenever he was in the building.  He would linger with ones he instinctively knew needed his comfort and company.  He sat at my feet when I suffered through "empty nest" syndrome and comforted another staffer after her beloved dog passed. 

Our hearts go out to Saber's master, Cindy.  We can only imagine the pain of her broken heart at the loss of her constant companion and faithful friend.