Corporate Partners Strengthening the Safety Net
The
Whole Foods is taking hunger-relief work in Sonoma
County seriously. Since October 1st employees and customers
teamed up to raise enough food and funds to provide over 90,000
meals for our neighbors in need.
Through corporate philanthropy and volunteerism, the employees
of Whole Foods are stepping up to help strengthen the safety net
in our community.
G&C Auto Body
24 BARRELS + $2,400 = 6,571 MEALS
“We support the REFB because, at the end of the day, it comes down to what you gave and whose world
you helped make a little better. ” ~Tara Crozat, Corporate Trainer, G&C Auto Body
Winter Food & Funds Drive
Whole Foods employees rally for hungerrelief by sorting produce at the REFB.
Newsfeed
REDWOOD EMPIRE FOOD BANK SPRING 2015
The REFB is thankful to have such a wonderful group of people
join the effort to end hunger.
IT’S A WRAP!
Redwood Credit Union
THANK YOU SONOMA COUNTY!
400
COMMUNITY FOOD DRIVE HOSTS
COLLECTED FOOD & FUNDS FOR
570,000
MEALS
72 Sonoma
40 Virtual
11 Food &
County Schools
Food Drive Hosts
Drug Stores
“There is a “need.”
Nutrition is not a want.
We all deserve to have
RCU has earned a spot among our most
significant corporate partners through
donations, employee and board member
contributions, volunteerism, hosting food
drives in their branches, and hosting benefit
events.
CVS
od Drive
Virtual Fo
Food Maxx
G & G Market
the essentials - food,
Lucky’s
doubly important to share
Thank you to the hundreds
Molsberry Market
this mind-set with young
of people who participated
Oliver’s Market
people.”
in online food drives. Find
Safeway
~Scott Parker
Head of Schools
The Presentation School
out how you can host a
Smart and Final
virtual food drive at
Walgreens
www.refb.org today!
Whole Foods
29,368
48,291
158,052
MEALS PROVIDED
MEALS PROVIDED
MEALS PROVIDED
Increasing Our Provision of Help
Farm to Family School Pantry
In recognition of their sponsorship, Redwood Credit Union’s logo is displayed
on the REFB food drive truck.
“The impact the Redwood Empire Food Bank has in this community makes them an important
partner for us as we support other safety net issues like housing and education, all with the ultimate
goal of helping people live healthy, financially stable lives.”
Brett Martinez, President and CEO, Redwood Credit Union.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS
FOOD & FUNDS DRIVE SPONSORS
Host a Food & Funds Drive:
• Sign up online at www.refb.org
• Call 707-523-7902 ext. 114
• Email [email protected]
Make a Financial Donation:
• Online at www.refb.org
• Mail a check to the REFB
• Return the envelope delivered
with your Newsfeed
Volunteer:
• Individuals and groups can sort,
pack, deliver and distribute food
• Visit www.refb.org/volunteer
• Send an email to [email protected]
FULL PLATE PARTNERS
Alfonso Alarcon, REFB Program Coordinator, leads
a nutrition lesson at a local Harvest Pantry site.
We are thankful for the partnership of RCU and the example of corporate responsibility they
demonstrate as a supporter of hunger-relief in our community.
Grocery Outlet
education, shelter. It is
(RCU) is the Premier Sponsor of our Annual
Food and Funds Drive. Ending hunger
requires partnerships with individuals, civic
organizations, foundations, faith-based
entities, government, and a host of
philanthropic local corporations.
Full Plate Partners are a dedicated group of REFB donors who offer regular monthly gifts to
support our critical work to end hunger in our community. We count on this generous support
each month, and because these donations are automatic, the REFB can plan and budget more
efficiently, allowing us to leverage your donation to its maximum potential.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Signing up is easy – you pick the amount to be donated each month and select the payment
method (bank transfer or credit card) and we’ll do the rest!
Your input is welcomed and needed to
help make the REFB the best it can be.
Send your comments, suggestions and
questions to [email protected] or mail
them to Communications at the REFB.
You can become a Full Plate Partner by visiting our website at www.refb.org/full plate or
contacting Hillary Jarcik at [email protected].
Hunger Relief ON THE GO
Looking for a team building activity
and want to give back in a
meaningful way? Hunger Relief On
The Go is the latest opportunity for
local businesses to volunteer,
sponsor, and engage in our mission
during an action packed afternoon.
While volunteers pack thousands of
food boxes each month at the
Vintage Wine Estates
packing boxes at their
REFB, your sponsorship of Hunger
facility in Santa Rosa.
Relief On The Go brings emergency
food box packing to you. An REFB truck brimming with
pallets and cases of food will pull up to your location to
deliver conveyors, tape guns, pallet jacks, staff
supervision, and all that you need for your group to pack
hunger-relief boxes.
We offer many outlets for corporate philanthropy:
sponsorships, employee giving campaigns, company
matching, volunteer activities, and food and funds
drives. To join us in ending hunger, contact Billy Bartz at
[email protected] or call 707-523-7900.
Your investment in the Redwood Empire Food Bank
(REFB) delivers healthy food, nutrition education, and
strengthens the safety net in our community. Each week,
parents with kids in tow line up at one of the seven Farm to
Family School Pantry (FFSP) sites to receive fresh produce
and healthy staple food items. FFSP sites are strategically
located at high-need schools in Sonoma County, including
two new sites in Santa Rosa, Helen Lehman Elementary
and Sheppard Elementary. FFSP serves up to 1,900
children and their families in a week.
“We count on the groceries each Tuesday, because we
often run out of food over the weekend. I pray for the
people who donate so that my family has food.”
~Aurelia Arrellano, FFSP Participant
The REFB distributes 26 different types of fruits and
vegetables based on the season and availability. Our
participants, like most parents, are always looking for fun
and new ways to get their kids to eat more produce. In
response to this need, we develop preparation tips and
recipes to help families get creative.
“It’s a good thing to receive fresh and healthy food for my
family. My kids eat more vegetables now and they really
liked the broccoli recipe.”
~Petra Martinez, FFSP Participant
In March, two REFB interns from the SRJC Dietetic
Technology Program, Gustavo and Angel (pictured to
the right), handed out samples of a Waldorf style salad
made with celery, apples, cinnamon and yogurt. The tasty
sample made the nutrition lesson even more enjoyable and
increased audience engagement. The children especially
liked the combination of apples and cinnamon that made a
healthy snack a delicious treat. By pairing wholesome food
with nutrition education we are helping to create healthy,
strong, hunger-free communities.
As a direct result of your
generous support and a Morgan
Stanley grant, we are increasing
the provision of help to the
many families we serve.
In This Issue...
1
Increasing Our Provision of
Help
2
The REFB Dialogue | Sharing
the Voice of Hunger
3
4
REFB On The Move
5
6
Winter Food & Funds Drive
Harnessing Our Network |
Volunteer for Summer Lunch
Corporate Partners Get Involved
THE REDWOOD EMPIRE FOOD BANK
provides food and hunger-relief in
Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt and
Del Norte Counties. The REFB is a member
of Feeding America and a member of
California Association of Food Banks.
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6
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The REFB Dialogue
Advocacy
Food vs. Hunger
Sharing the Voice of Hunger
People in Sonoma
County are
knowledgeable
about food and
enjoy discussing
its pleasures. Some
words commonly
used in conversations
include access,
healthy, local, and
sustainable.
When the REFB talks about food we also use
these words, but undoubtedly, they have a
different meaning. When applied to hunger
relief, the expression of these words refers to
a food system capable of helping 82,000 of
our neighbors receive enough food to remain
healthy.
One word we always include in our discussions
about food is “urgent”. That is because the food
needs for the people we serve are today and
their hunger is now. With urgency in mind, the
REFB stays focused on how to serve people in
the most effective ways.
We concentrate our efforts on programs
that provide greater access to food
that is healthy, nearby, and consistent,
so recipients can attend to the other
important areas in their lives.
Our ability to stay focused in our conversations
and our work is due to the steadfast support
you provide through your contribution of time,
food, and funding. Thank you.
Sincerely,
David Goodman
Executive Director
PROGRAM UPDATES
Brown Bag Program
Serving Seniors
The Redwood Empire Food Bank serves 82,000
individuals each month: children, seniors,
working parents, disabled Veterans – no matter
their situation. Each individual has a story to
tell. A story that deserves to be heard.
On May 13th, 2015 the REFB will be attending
Hunger Action Day in Sacramento to share
these stories. Together with the California
Hunger Action Coalition, the California
Association of Food Banks, regional food
banks, meal programs, nutritionists, and
anti-hunger advocates from across California,
we will educate our legislators about hunger
and encourage their support of anti-hunger
legislation.
Through the generous grant support of
MAZON: A Jewish Response To Hunger, the
REFB has been able to increase our advocacy
efforts and participate in important activities,
such as Hunger Action Day.
Will you join us to advocate on behalf of our
neighbors at Hunger Action Day? A legislative
agenda, talking points, transportation and lunch
will be provided. We need your help to tell the
stories of our neighbors facing hunger.
To sign-up, please call Itzul Gutierrez at
(707) 523-7900 x 132 or email her at
[email protected].
Jim Barnes | Sitzmann Morris & Lavis
PRESIDENT
Howard Daulton | Exchange Bank
David Guhin
City of Santa Rosa
Gary Edwards | Sage Marketing of Sonoma
Judy Farrell | University of San Francisco (Retired)
EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR
EDITOR
Christy Gentry
Brendan Kunkle | Abbey, Weitzenberg, Warren & Emery
CONTRIBUTORS
Stephanie Larson | UC California Cooperative Extension
Billy Bartz, Edith Cadena,
Christy Gentry, David
Goodman, Hillary Jarcik,
Jen Oberti, Amy Schaner,
Dalton Wiley
Steven Maass | Oliver’s Market
Suzy Marzalek | Agilent Technologies (Retired)
Eric McHenry | City of Santa Rosa
Debbie Meekins | First Community Bank
DESIGN +
PRODUCTION
Marie Scherf | Burr Pilger Mayer, Inc.
Christy Gentry
Barbara Spangler | Clinical Research Manager (Retired)
Pedro Toledo | Petaluma Health Center
PRINTING
Ad-Vantage Marketing
Robin Wendler | ZFA Structural Engineers
Improving the lives of
seniors in our community
who are facing the
challenge of accessing
nutritious food is at the
heart of the Brown Bag
Program. Seniors receiving
food in the program are
living at or below 150% of
poverty.
The REFB Brown Bag
Program reduces the
stress of hunger by
providing 30 lbs. of
healthy supplemental
food and fresh
produce to 300
seniors each month.
Your support and the
grant funding from the
Home Instead Senior Care
Foundation offer security
through healthy food to
these seniors in need.
The Diabetes Wellness
Program is helping
low-income people with
Type 2 Diabetes through
nutrition education and
healthy food distribution.
Food Connections, a new
REFB program dedicated to
helping qualified individuals
navigate the CalFresh (food
stamps) application process, is
now open.
In the first month of
service, 83% of the
applications submitted
were approved.
We are also excited to share
that the average monthly
benefit awarded is about $145.
These crucial funds equate to
200 more meals per month
and help improve the financial
and nutritional stability of
low-income families.
In February and March,
100 low-income
individuals concerned
about their health
were screened in
Sonoma County.
A quarter of those screened
were in the Sonoma Valley,
a community we wouldn’t
have been able to reach
without a generous grant
from Impact 100 Sonoma.
Individuals throughout
Sonoma County are
receiving help in managing
their diabetes thanks to
your support.
3990 Brickway Boulevard | Santa Rosa, CA 95403 | 707.523.7900 | refb.org
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On the first
Tuesday of
every month
20 to 30
volunteers from
the St. Philip
and St. Teresa
Apostle Catholic
Churches, show up to run a client choice pantry
in Occidental. Known to the community as
the Rural Food Program, this church based
pantry partners with the REFB to provide fresh
and healthy food to more than 160 people
each month. It is through our partnership
with organizations, such as St. Philip and St.
Teresa, that we are able to harness the power
of our network to reach every corner of our
community.
For 27 years, the parishioners of St. Philip and
St. Teresa have been gathering to ensure that
their neighbors have enough food to eat. Sylvia
Melrose, a dedicated volunteer for two decades
says, “I am part of a community that cares
for one another. We leave our judgment at
the door and it feels good to help others. It’s
really amazing to see the pantry evolve. We
have more fresh produce to offer than ever
before.”
Running a client choice pantry means that
rather than providing a pre-filled bag of
groceries, the volunteers arrange the food in
a market like fashion so the attendees have
the opportunity to choose the items they
need and want. This level of service provides
the recipients the dignity of choice and a
commitment to community that is embraced
by everyone.
“None of this would be possible without the
REFB. In fact, 90% of our food comes from
the Redwood Empire Food Bank. We are
especially interested in the overall health of
our community, so we work to offer nutritious
food, educate about the importance of proper
nutrition, and provide healthy recipes.”
Rodney DeMartini
Rural Food Program Volunteer Coordinator
Summer Lunch Volunteers Needed
“When it became apparent that procuring enough protein
was difficult for the REFB, I worked with the Sonoma Marin
Cattlemen to initiate this project in partnership with Oak Ridge
Angus. I’m proud that this project has contributed thousands of
pounds of beef to low-income families through the REFB,” says
Larson.
The Range to Table project puts local beef on the tables of low-income families in our community by
partnering with farmers to raise livestock and donate the meat to the REFB. Healthy protein items,
like beef, can be very costly and are often missing from the diet of our low-income neighbors.
Ms. Larson brings a unique set of experiences to the REFB Board. She has served as the University
of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Livestock and Rangeland Management Farm Advisor
for over 30 years, specializing in livestock production and marketing and as the County Director for
7 years. She has a Bachelors of Science and Master of Science degree in Animal Science from the
University of Idaho and the University of Wyoming, respectively, and a PhD in Rangeland Ecology
and Management, Oregon State University.
OUR MISSION: TO END HUNGER IN OUR COMMUNITY
St. Philip and St. Teresa Apostle Catholic Churches’ veteran volunteers
passing out fresh produce during a Rural Food Distribution.
Rural Food Program
We are pleased to introduce a new member of the REFB Board
of Directors, Stephanie Larson. While she is new to the board,
she isn’t new to the REFB. Stephanie helped create the Range to
Table project in 2012.
David Goodman
Suzanne Smith
Sonoma County
Transportation Authority
Jon Griffith
Allstate Mortgage Co.
Harnessing Our Network
Spearheads Range to Table Project
Pete Golis | Editorial Director (Retired)
SECRETARY
Diabetes Wellness
Program Growing
New REFB Board Member
VICE PRESIDENT
Rebecca La Londe
Kaiser Permanente
Food Connections
Now Open
Photo: (L to R) Sean Hamlin, Senior Field Rep. for Mike Thompson; Itzul Gutierrez,
REFB Program Manager; Stephen Gale, District Rep. for Mike Thompson.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
TREASURER
HUNGER RELIEF AT WORK
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The REFB needs YOUR HELP for the 12th annual Every Child,
Every Day Summer Lunch Program, which offers low-income
children in Sonoma County a healthy lunch during the summer
break!
This is a great way to enjoy the summer weather while helping
to end hunger in our community. Team up with friends or
colleagues to share duties. All volunteers must be 18+ years old.
CONTACT:
Vanessa Wallace at [email protected] or 707.523.7900 ext.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
to deliver and serve nutritious
meals to children and to supervise
exercise and educational activities
at lunch sites.
LEAVE A LASTING MARK AT THE REFB
When the REFB first moved into our Brickway Blvd. facility, we
offered the chance to buy a tile for our commemorative wall.
The tiles were a huge hit, and now that thousands of volunteers
and visitors have seen the wall, we are often asked if we are
going to make the tiles available again. We are excited to
announce that, yes, there will be another chance to buy a tile
for this special wall. Early this summer we will be offering the
tiles, so keep your eyes open for this unique chance to leave your lasting mark at the REFB.
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