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.