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Getting to the Heart of Poverty Problem

March 14, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Originally posted in the Vacaville Reporter – I am incredibly proud of the work the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano does. We are currently distributing more than 16 million pounds of food a year to approximately 149,000 people each month, and through our Community Produce Program will distribute an additional 2 million pounds of fresh produce this year, making a total of 8 million pounds.

But when I take a step back, I realize that the fact we are serving nearly 50 percent more people than we were serving six years ago demonstrates a real problem. The need for food is an indicator of larger problems we need to deal with as a community.

What gives me hope is that I see agencies and people who provide assistance coming together to work on the issues we face. Government agencies, nonprofits, schools, and foundations are part of the Solano Safety Net that is working to see how we can best combine our efforts to help our community.

At a recent meeting, we talked about the fact that the recidivism rate for parolees is 70 percent. The sheriff knows that part of that is because 40 percent of the inmates in county jail read at a fourth-grade level. They are released into a community where they have no support system and have little chance of getting a job.

Although the 70 percent rate is high, there is not yet enough public support to make a change.

We all need to collaborate to strengthen the safety net, making sure that food, shelter and services are there for people who need help.

We can also work on the bigger issues, recognizing that education and job training prevent people from needing to access the safety net.

When the community creates systems that help people provide for themselves, the safety net will be the short-term response it should be.

For ways you can help strengthen the safety net, contact Lisa Sherrill, lsherrill@foodbankccs.org.

Filed Under: Advocacy

Seniors Choose Between Groceries and Medicine

February 26, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Originally posted in the Vacaville Reporter: After a lifetime of work, many seniors are living on fixed incomes that often force them to choose between paying for health care or buying groceries. Because seniors often need medication to maintain their health, many elderly Americans must choose between medicine and the foods they need to stay healthy.

Limited mobility and dependence on outside assistance makes seniors particularly vulnerable to hunger. Food insecurity among this vulnerable population is especially troublesome because they have unique nutritional needs and may require special diets for medical conditions.

According to Hunger in America 2010, among client households with seniors, 30 percent have had to choose between paying for food and paying for medical care.

The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano provides groceries twice a month to seniors right in their own communities and partners with other nonprofit organizations to get food to those seniors that need it most.

One of the first direct distributions the Food Bank established was the Senior Food Program. Beginning with 50 recipients, we have grown the Senior Food Program to 3,300 seniors at 28 sites in Solano and Contra Costa counties. Last year, more than 1.3 million pounds of food went to the senior citizens who participate in this program.

Senior hunger is of particular importance in Contra Costa and Solano counties, where so many seniors rely on the Food Bank each month to put food on their tables.

As our elected officials make decisions about state and federal budgets, it’s important that our community know that many of our seniors right here in Contra Costa and Solano counties rely on both federal nutrition programs and food banks to get by each month.

To learn more about how you can help, please visit www.foodbankccs.org/seniorhunger.

Filed Under: Advocacy Tagged With: ,

State of the Union Message Hits Home

February 19, 2013 By Leave a Comment

In this politically charged time, the State of the Union address represents different things to different people. Depending on the analysis you hear, it either represents a statement of values or an overt political document.

From my point of view, I am pleased that the president acknowledged the issues low-income people face in our society. I agree with the president that it is not right that people who work should have to come to food banks to get enough food for their families. As good as the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano is at providing food to low-income people, we should not be seen as our nation’s first response to hunger.

When I began with the Food Bank in 1976, we were supporting a group of charitable food pantries that provided emergency help to people having difficulty receiving government assistance. Through the years, food banks throughout the country have moved from this partnership distribution model to becoming direct service providers themselves.

Food Bank direct distribution such as the Community Produce Program, Senior Food Program, or Farm to Kids provides millions of pounds of food directly to those in need. Our service is no longer solely for emergencies; we are now providing supplemental food directly to those who need help because, otherwise, the cost of living may mean going without groceries.

I hope the State of the Union address is the start of a conversation about how we help poor people in our country on a larger scale.

Half the people we serve have a working individual in the family, so the discussion about raising the minimum wage needs to take place.

We are providing 9,000 low-income children with fresh produce every week, so I would like to push President Obama to carry out his pledge to eliminate childhood hunger by 2015. We can be better as a society. I think the time is now.

 

Filed Under: Advocacy Tagged With: ,

Charity Could Tumble Over Fiscal Cliff

January 30, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Originally posted in the Vacaville Reporter: The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano receives nearly half of its funding from individuals. We live in a generous community where people support the cost-effective work we do.

 The Food Bank is concerned that one of the options discussed in the “fiscal cliff” negotiations has been to limit the tax deductions people can take when they donate to nonprofit organizations such as the Food Bank. Donating to faith communities and nonprofit organizations is part of our social culture, but I worry that the support people provide will be limited if the tax deduction changes.

 As an example of the changes being debated, the recently passed compromise bill enacted Congress by restored a deduction that allowed those over 70 1/2 years old to donate IRA funds they must withdraw. The restored law says that if a donation of more than $100,000 is made directly to a nonprofit organization before Feb. 1, the roll-over is tax-deductible. After that, this option will not be available, so the tax-deductible motivation will be gone.

 Other options under consideration have focused on limiting the total amount of deductible donations people can give or limiting the amount people can deduct based on their income. I understand the budget issues our country faces, but anything that discourages people from giving to charitable organizations raises concerns.

 Nonprofit organizations do incredible work with limited funds. Faith communities and nonprofits are able to respond to concerns in local communities with speed and focus. We are able to carry out the work donors want to see done because we can directly respond to those who give us the funds we need. The issues we are facing today make collaboration between nonprofits and government necessary. This is not the time to limit the ability of the community to support organizations addressing the issues they see in the community.

To learn more about how you can help take action against these changes, contact Lisa Sherrill at the Food Bank: (925) 676-7543 ext. 206 or e-maillsherrill@foodbankccs.org.

 

 

Filed Under: Advocacy Tagged With: , , , ,

We Couldn’t Do it Without Our Volunteers

January 23, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Originally posted in the Vacaville Reporter: Because of support from a generous community, the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano has been able to increase the amount of food we distribute to people at risk of hunger.

We receive financial support from individuals and corporations, which helps us fuel our trucks and keep the lights on. We also have an outpouring of support with community food drives that add variety to the bulk items we purchase.

One of the most essential pieces of the support puzzle is the volunteer force that has answered the call to serve.

More than 50,000 volunteer hours are given to us each year — the equivalent of 25 additional staff members. Volunteers serve on our Board of Directors, help with office and fund development tasks, and help sort food. They help with food distributions and touch every program we run.

We have volunteers who hold doctoral degrees and volunteers who are developmentally disabled. Volunteers come with their Scout groups, their faith communities, their service clubs and their fellow workers. Some volunteers come once a year, some are here every week (or more).

Volunteers are important to us because they become our best advocates in the community. Volunteers have hands-on experience with our work, so they can speak with authority about what we do. They see us gather food, they see how effectively the Food Bank operates, and they see the people we serve.

Volunteers do hands-on work and know the commitment we have, as an organization, to our mission.

The Food Bank could not survive without the time and energy volunteers give.

Filed Under: Volunteer Tagged With: , , ,

Special Program Sees to Nutrition Needs of Seniors

January 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Originally posted in the Vacaville Reporter: I remember reading a quote from a political leader that said you can best evaluate a society by how well it takes care of its children and its elderly. From my experience with Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano programs, I am convinced our society can do better. The huge number of children and senior citizens coming to us for food assistance says that our social programs are not doing what they should.

One of the first direct distributions the Food Bank established was the Senior Food Program. In the early 1980s, it was obvious that Social Security benefits were not adequate to support an individual in the Bay Area. Seniors had to make difficult decisions about housing, medical care and the basics of life. When stories started coming back to us about people eating less to save money, we knew we should try to make a difference with the food donations available to us.

Beginning with 50 people, we have grown the Senior Food Program to 3,300 seniors at 28 sites in Solano and Contra Costa counties. Last year, more than 1.3 million pounds of food went to the senior citizens who participate in this program.

We are also working with those who are part of the Senior Food Program because they may be eligible to receive Cal Fresh (formerly food stamps) benefits. The people this program serves recognize that their health depends on their diet. If they are going to avoid significant medical costs, good food is important to their health.

I am grateful the community support we receive allows the Food Bank to make a difference in the lives of senior citizens.

If you are a senior who could use food assistance, or know someone who can, please go to www.foodbankccs.org/get-help/senior-food-program.html or call (toll free) (855) 309-3663.

 

Filed Under: Featured, Programs and Services Tagged With: , ,

Looking Forward to New Projects

January 8, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Originally posted in the Vacaville Reporter: Starting the New Year is a time to reflect on what we have done in the past and what we hope to do in the future. At the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, the New Year is more a check-in time for us because we are already implementing a three-year strategic plan. So the New Year is a time to reflect on where we will go as an organization in the coming year as we think about the exciting events that will take place.

Our most immediate accomplishment is that, within the next two months, we will begin Phase 2 of our Community Produce Program, starting produce distribution in Solano County and Western Contra Costa County. Two trucks full of fresh produce will be on the road five afternoons each week, bringing healthy food to low-income people.

We will also see our vision of working collaboratively with Solano and Contra Costa counties take a step forward in the work we do with CalFresh (the new name for food stamps) outreach. Grant funds have allowed us to add a person to our staff who can build on our solid working relationship, and we hope to be able to do preliminary enrollment for CalFresh participants online, making it easier for eligibility workers to enroll people in the program.

Finally, we will continue to work on our advocacy efforts. Because of the role we play in directly feeding people in need, we bring hands-on knowledge to any discussion about hunger in our community.

In tight budget times, the voices of those in need must be part of the conversation when decisions are made. Cuts made to programs that provide assistance to low-income people have a profound social impact. Elected officials need to understand that budget cuts are not just numbers, they affect people.

Stay in touch with the Food Bank by joining our online community and receiving occasional e-news related to you area(s) of interest at www.foodbankccs.org.

Filed Under: Programs and Services

Neighbors Encourage Each Other to Share

December 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Originally posted in the Vacaville Reporter: Solano and Contra Costa counties both have “closed communities” — areas where homes are behind gated access points. Because there are a limited number of entry points, these housing areas provide additional security to the residents.

Several years ago, supporters of the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano who live in these closed communities realized that the gates also presented them with an opportunity to persuade their neighbors to become donors.

In the Rancho Solano community in Fairfield, we found people who were willing to organize a food drive on our behalf. We provided them with printed food drive bags and they stapled flyers to the bags that made them stand out as part of the Rancho Solano food drive.

People went door-to-door distributing these bags to their neighbors, giving them a chance to talk about the Food Bank and the drive they had organized.

On the day of the drive, the Food Bank provided collection barrels and we brought a bobtail truck. As people went to work in the morning, or returned home at night, they went through the gates where their neighbors stood, encouraging them to donate food or money.

Now these food drives raise thousands of pounds of food and significant financial donations. The Rancho Solano drive is part of a larger effort in communities throughout Solano and Contra Costa Counties.

The Food Bank’s work is based on people sharing with others. I am convinced that people are willing to help others in need if they can see how to make it happen. In the closed-community drives the Food Bank organizes, people are reaching out to their neighbors so they can make a difference in the lives of people in need.

The author is executive director of the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, based in Concord.

Filed Under: Events

Realtors Meeting the Need

December 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano has received support from Contra Costa Realtors in Motion and the San Ramon Realtors Marketing Association for years.  Both these organizations are networking groups for the real estate industry and include realtors, banks, title companies, home staging companies, etc.  These people are very supportive of each other and the industry in which they work.

These groups have also seen their industry in its strong and weak phases.  They know their industry is an excellent indicator of the overall economy.  So like the economy as a whole, things are getting better for them, but they know they are not where they want to be.  This has made an already generous group even more supportive of the Food Bank’s work.  In addition to the support these associations provided to local schools, Toys for Tots and Christmas for Everyone, they recently donated over $8,000 to the Food Bank’s work, in addition to barrels full of nonperishable food.

This generosity is one more example of how people in the community come together to make a difference.  People come together in organizations because of a common interest, but they often look outside to the larger community.  The realty associations help us by stepping forward to make a difference in the community.

Filed Under: Events, Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,

Partnering to End Hunger

November 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Originally posted in the Vacaville Reporter: Working at the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano has taught me that trying to feed people in need is all about relationships. We try to run the best food distribution service we can, but accomplishing that depends on volunteer support, financial support and the generosity of the community.

One of the ways we increase the work we do is when we effectively link with community partners.

We always need additional supplies of shelf-stable food, and the holiday season is an excellent opportunity to ask the community to donate the food needed to support a hungry community.

We are able to join with Safeway and Kraft Foods to create an incredibly simple way for people to help.

Safeway offers shoppers a $10 bag of Kraft and Safeway-branded food items for purchase. Safeway allows the Food Bank to place collection barrels in all of its stores so that people can buy these $10 bags and drop them in our barrels.

In addition, the Food Bank asks people to bring other food donations to these conveniently located collection sites.

The cooperation is expanding as Safeway works with NBC Bay Area to help publicize the Safeway Help Us End Hunger food drive. NBC Bay Area has organized one major collection day this Saturday. Newscasters from NBC Bay Area will be joined by local Kiwanis clubs outside of Safeway stores talking to people about the need to help end hunger.

By raising the visibility of the issue of hunger and showing people how this drive helps us feed those in need, NBC Bay Area, Safeway, Kraft Foods and Kiwanis Club members are making a difference.

Collaborative relationships between food manufacturers, retailers, media and community groups make the Safeway Help Us End Hunger food drive a success.

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: , , , ,
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