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.

Kaiser Permanente Volunteers at EGFBS

On Monday we had 68 volunteers from Kaiser Permanente at EG Food Bank.  These wonderful people took time from their holiday to help us prepare food and clothing for distribution to our neighbors in need. 

Here is a tally of what they did: 


1,200 lbs of dog food bagged
 
3,600 lbs of canned food sorted

 
3,300 lbs of canned food expiration dates checked

 
1,500 pounds of USDA bags made

 
1,200 pounds of baby food sorted

Totaling 10,800 pounds of food ready for distribution! 


200 men's and women's toiletry bags made

 
700 pieces of clothing sorted by size

 
200 pieces of clothing hung for the clothes closet


40 boxes made for families of 4
20 boxes made for families of 2

 
60 bags of perishables made


KCRA was here and had video of the workday on their broadcast that night.  Here is a link to the photos they have on their website. 


The work that KP did on MLK Day was as much as our volunteers prepare and distribute in one week!!!

 
Thank you volunteers of Kaiser Permanente!  Your generous support and dedicated work has put EGFBS ahead of schedule in preparing food and clothing for distribution.  We appreciate your help in serving those in need in the Elk Grove area.  

Mobile Pantry at Seasons Apartments

Jeff, Dale and Thieu unload food boxes for distribution.

Every third Wednesday, we pack up boxes of food and personal items and transport them to our clients at the Seasons apartments on Bilby Road.  We bring these items to serve our senior clients who are without transportation to our Dino Drive facility. 

Mauryne assists Rosa in keeping track of clients in the program,

and making reminder calls prior to delivery day. 

 Mauryne Dean is our volunteer contact at the Seasons.  Mauryne is a graduate of our Support Works program. Her mentor and other volunteers assisted her in her move out of a difficult housing situation and move into the Seasons. 

Mauryne told me of how she and her neighbors look forward to our deliveries.  "They forgot to put the Mobile Pantry on this month's calendar of events.  Everyone was concerned that your program was cancelled." 

Darrell makes sure that each food box contains fresh produce. 

Our caseworker, Renee, visited with our clients and let them know what kind of services Elk Grove Food Bank Services provides besides food and clothing.  Renee was so touched by the number of seniors and their interest in receiving help, that she will accompany the Mobile Pantry next month. 

I unloaded a food box to see what was in there. 

I also spoke with one of our clients, Rosemarie.  She said that she had been receiving our supplemental food boxes for about a year and was very thankful.  Rosemarie said, "The extra food makes a difference, I can make it to the end of each month."  She also appreciated the type of food she receives, "I don't cook.  The pots and pans are too heavy for me."

This month we included a "goody bag" full of personal hygiene products. 

 Our clients lined up to receive their food

The next time a looked up, the line was longer.

A grateful client slipped Rosa this thank you note: 

Dear Food Bank Staff,
It's never too late to "Thank You" for all your help!  I never take nothing for granted in life because life changes daily. 

These brown bag boxes are precious to me.  I'm usually eating the last of my reserves and then like magic the box arrives and its like a Christmas morning surprise.  Who would think that a roll of toilet paper would bring a smile to my face. 

Thank you from my heart.....

After the able-bodies clients come downstairs to pick up their food boxes, Jeff and Darrell made deliveries to the shut ins.  These two caring volunteers spend time with each client, making sure that things are ok. 

Rosa brought pet food for our clients' furry companions

This month we served 62 households (86 individuals), with two households on the waiting list.  Part of this program is funded by a grant from Kaiser Permanente's Sacramento Valley Community Benefit program. 

Elk Grove Food Bank Services

Mobile Pantry at the Seasons

Every Third Wednesday of the Month

Kaiser Permanente Community Benefit Grants Program

We just received word from Kaiser Permanente that our proposed expansion of the Mobile Pantry program has been approved and funded. Now our volunteers can take food and clothing on the road to another venue for distribution. Those clients who are home-bound, isolated, or otherwise without transportation to and from our Dino Drive facility will be able to receive service from the food bank and clothes closet.

On behalf of the entire Food Bank family we want to thank Kaiser Permanente for the $15,000 funding for our Mobile Pantry Program. The Elk Grove Food Bank Services thrives because of gifts like these. We cannot accomplish our goals without the support of donors like Kaiser Permanente.