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Interact Club of MVHS Takes on a Food Drive

Guest post by Ambassador Aaron Yuen: The Interact Club of Monte Vista High School in Danville once again is sponsoring a food drive. Last year, the … Read more

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Concord Egg Farmers Help Struggling Families with Donation of 25,920 Eggs

 Despite signs of economic recovery, record numbers of families in our community -- and across America -- are currently relying on food assistance.  … Read more

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Stamp Out Hunger

Two years ago the Letter Carriers Food Drive was ready to pass the 1 billion pound mark of food collected across the nation – quite an amazing … Read more

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Bring on the Cupcake War!

Back by popular demand – the Cupcake War at the Food Bank’s annual Admiral’s Garden event on June 24th on Mare Island in Vallejo!  There is a … Read more

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USF Grad Students Distribute Food

Guest post by Adrienne Sommer-Locey - I don’t know what I was expecting when my team signed up to bag food for the Vallejo distribution with Food … Read more

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Governor Releases May Revision to 2012-2013 State Budget

May 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The following is an excerpt from the California Budget Project’s report: Governor Releases May Revision: Tax Collections Down and Deeper Cuts Proposed, Highlighting Need for a Balanced Approach With Significant Additional Revenues. We have included information about cuts to the two programs most likely to impact Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano clients directly: CalWORKS and Medi-Cal.To read the full report, visit http://cbp.org/pdfs/2012/120514_May_Revise.pdf.

Governor Jerry Brown released the May Revision to his proposed 2012-13 budget on May 14. The May Revision updates policy proposals, revenue projections, and estimated expenditures for the current year as well as the upcoming budget year, which begins on July 1. The May Revision estimates a two-year budget gap of $15.7 billion, up from a $9.2 billion gap as estimated in January. The May Revision identifies lower-than-anticipated tax collections as the primary cause of the widening gap. The Governor outlines $16.7 billion in “solutions” to close the budget gap and provide a $1.0 billion reserve. Spending reductions make up nearly half ($8.3 billion) of the “solutions.”

In addition, the May Revision assumes that voters pass a tax measure that the Governor is attempting to place on the November 2012 ballot. The measure would temporarily increase personal income tax rates on very-high-income Californians and boost the sales tax rate by one-quarter cent, raising an estimated $8.5 billion in 2011-12 and 2012-13 combined. The May Revision specifies $6.1 billion in spending cuts – primarily to schools, colleges, and universities – that would automatically take effect in January 2013 if voters do not approve the proposed tax measure in November.

Regardless of whether voters pass the tax measure, the May Revision proposes deeper cuts to the Medi-Cal and In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) programs than those proposed in January. The May Revision also includes new proposals to reduce spending on state employee compensation by more than $400 million and to use the “cash assets” of redevelopment agencies – entities that were eliminated in February of this year – in order to offset $1.4 billion in state spending for schools and community colleges in 2012-13.

The Governor’s $16.7 billion in budget “solutions” include:

  • $8.3 billion in spending reductions, including a $1.2 billion cut to Medi-Cal, an $879.9 million reduction to the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) Program, and deep cuts to IHSS, child care, the courts, and the Cal Grant college financial aid program;
  • $5.9 billion in additional revenues, nearly all of which is attributable to the proposed tax measure;
  • $2.5 billion in fund shifts, loan payment deferrals, borrowing from special funds, and other onetime measures; and
  • A $1.0 billion reserve.

The following update provides a “quick and dirty” summary of key provisions of the May Revision.

California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) Program

The May Revision includes most of the deep cuts proposed in January for the CalWORKs Program, which provides cash assistance for 1.1 million low-income children while helping parents to find jobs and overcome barriers to employment. The May Revision retains the Governor’s proposed CalWORKs restructuring, while making modifications that reduce the 2012-13 cuts to $879.9 million, slightly less than the $946.2 million reduction proposed in January.

Medi-Cal Program

The May Revision maintains the Governor’s January proposal to shift more than 1 million seniors and people with disabilities who currently qualify for both Medi-Cal and Medicare – so-called “dual eligibles” – from fee-for-service Medi-Cal into managed care. However, the May Revision modifies or clarifies the original proposal in a number of ways, including phasing in the integration of long-term care services as each county transitions into managed care, delaying the implementation date from January 1 to March 1, 2013, and specifying that IHSS participants would continue to “select and direct” their home care provider. The proposal, as modified by the May Revision, is estimated to reduce state spending by $663.3 million in 2012-13 and by $887 million per year when fully implemented. However, budget documents indicate that implementation would depend on achieving a “six-month stable enrollment period,” as well as on securing an agreement with the federal government that would allow the state to share 50 percent of the Medicare savings that result from this proposal.

 

Filed Under: Advocacy Tagged With: , , ,

Farmers’ Markets for All

May 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By Heidi Kliner, AmeriCorps VISTA: There is a common misconception that farmers’ markets are just for the privileged due to the idea that farmers’ markets are significantly more expensive than grocery stores, but many studies have shown that farmers’ market prices are not much higher than supermarket prices, with many of the fresh, seasonal produce being comparable or even less expensive than the same items in the supermarket, and with the added benefit of better quality and a boost for local business and community.  In truth, farmers’ markets can be a great way for low-income individuals and families to access healthy food, especially if they have CalFresh (aka Food Stamps)!

The way it works is someone with CalFresh goes to the information booth and tells the market manager he or she wants to use their EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card.  The market manager then swipes the card on a POS machine for the amount the person plans on spending at the market, and then gives tokens, each worth a dollar, which can be used at the different vendor stands like cash.  These tokens can be used to purchase produce, dairy products, baked items, meat, seafood, and even plants for growing one’s own food.

Tips for saving money when using your EBT card at the market:

  • Ask about incentive programs for people using EBT.  For example, all the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association markets this year have the Market Match program, where someone spending at least ten dollars in tokens at the market will receive five extra dollar tokens to be used for produce.
  • Split up some of the shopping based on price.  If some of the items like the meat or baked goods seem more expensive than in the grocery store, consider splitting up your shopping by buying all your fruits and vegetables at the farmers’ market and your other items at the store.
  • Shop later in the day.  Vendors may discount their items near the end of the market day in order to get rid of it.
  • Buy a plant.  If you have a yard or a porch you can use for growing food, purchasing a plant at the market can be a low cost way of having several fruits or vegetables throughout the season (just be sure to look into whether your market is currently selling edible plants).

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

Interact Club of MVHS Takes on a Food Drive

May 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Guest post by Ambassador Aaron Yuen: The Interact Club of Monte Vista High School in Danville once again is sponsoring a food drive. Last year, the club collected 2,550 pounds of food, quite a huge accomplishment for a student organization which utilized only the lunch break to plan and launch the food drive.

To kick off the food drive this year, the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano was invited to give a talk to student members on Thursday, March 22. Having two graduates of MVHS in my family, I was delighted to take on the assignment wearing the MVHS colors of red and black and a Food Bank Ambassador badge at the same time.

The student members are very much into community service.  In addition to doing the food drive, the club is planning a car wash to raise funds to help fight teenage slavery trafficking.

Monte Vista received 15 barrels on Monday, April 16 and called to report that they are collecting food. They also mentioned they are not giving the barrels back until they are completely full.

Our future generation at work taking on current issues!

Admirable and inspirational indeed.

Filed Under: Education, Featured Tagged With: ,

Food From the Bar 21st Annual Fund Drive

April 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Contra Costa County attorneys will once again hold their annual competition to benefit the Food Bank from May 7th thru May 18th. Since its’ inception, this competition has raised more than $891,000 and collected 54 tons of food for hungry area residents. This is a great way for law firms to have fun while collecting food and raising money for the Food Bank. Law firms compete for the highest per capita contribution in their respective categories. Some firms form teams to compete and law offices use a variety of creative fundraising ideas like Bake Sales, Carnival Days, White Elephant Sales, Treasure Hunts, and Eating Contests. The Walnut Creek law firm of Archer Norris will once again organize a Walk-a-Thon around downtown Walnut Creek.

Even better – this year there is a Cyber Competition! You can fight hunger with just a click from your computer! Support your favorite attorney or law firm from the convenience of your home or office by donating online through Contra Costa County Food from the Bar’s Virtual Food Drive! Just go to www.bit.ly/foodfromthebarcc and choose from 10 different food staples, select a quantity and “checkout,” to donate! Select your lawyer or law firm from the Company drop-down menu to see who can donate the most. ! The Food Bank can make your dollar go further. Because of special agreements with manufacturers and buying in large quantities they can purchase at less expensive prices than you find in grocery stores. But make sure your donation is submitted by 4:30pm on May 18th!

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: , , ,

A Letter Carrier's Promise to Stamp Out Hunger

April 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Guest post by Raul Carabajal, a letter carrier from Suisun City. The big question… Why do I volunteer for the Letter Carriers Food Drive? It’s all from a promise to my grandfather when I was a young boy. He would come in my bedroom before I would go to sleep and read to me from the Bible. He would put his make-shift wood podium at the foot of my bed, place his Bible on top and read to me until I went to sleep. Sometimes I would ask him questions and he would answer. He told me that if I ever saw someone in need of food, please promise me you would help to feed them, and don’t let them go hungry. I ask my grandfather how I can feed them, I am a little boy? His answer was, you are a little boy, but in large numbers you are a big boy. I then fell asleep as he continued reading.

My grandfather passed away when I was eight years old, while I helped him at the gas station and a mechanic shop he owned. To this day I remember his instruction to help those in need of food, so when I have the chance to be a part of the annual food drive, I happily participate in his honor.

We as a community are much bigger than we are alone. It’s easy to help your hungry neighbors in need by participating in the Letter Carriers Food Drive on Saturday May 12th. Simply leave a bag or box of food by your mailbox and your letter carrier will pick it up then deliver it to the Food Bank. See you on the 12th!

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Delta View Elementary Gives from the Heart

April 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Our student council at Delta View Elementary in Pittsburg hosted a “Give from the Heart” Canned Food Drive during the month of February. First, Mr. Sly from the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano came to speak to us. He shared how many people need help with getting food these days.  Then we made posters and hung them around the school.  We also told our classes about the food drive. Mrs. Baum, our Principal, made an announcement during her Monday Morning Message. The barrels were delivered to the school and Ray, our custodian, helped us put the barrels around the school.  We were ready!

For first week of the drive we had a great idea – a “Drive-Through” Canned Food Drive. We passed out notes to moms, dads, grandmas, and uncles saying we would be happy to take their donations as they drove through to drop off their children the next morning. The following morning at 7:35 AM we waited with our teachers to collect the food. Some of us held up signs saying “Give from the Heart!” We were excited as bag after bag of food was handed through the car windows and we put them into the barrels. They gave us tuna, soup, tomatoes, and pasta. One mom opened her trunk and it was filled with canned baby food. She brought so much, we nearly filled one barrel just with baby food. In just twenty minutes, we filled three barrels. We had fun doing the drive-through and we were very happy with our filled barrels.

At the end of the month, the barrels were picked up. Then Ms. Tomasini wrote to let us know how much we had collected. We are proud to announce we collected 733 pounds of canned food! That is up from last year’s drive of 695 pounds. We know we have helped people. Delta View Stars showed their stuff. We all truly gave from the heart!

Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade Student Council Representatives
Advisors – Ms. Banks, Ms. Didion, Ms. Prado, Mrs. Van Tassell
Delta View Elementary, Pittsburg – Mt. Diablo Unified School District

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Better Homes Fills the Cupboards

April 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Last year, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Mason-McDuffie in Antioch conducted neighborhood food drives and stood in front of grocery stores to collect over 3,200 pounds of food. This year they were determined to go way above and beyond to collect over 6,000 items for their annual Company Giving Day on Saturday, March 10th.

Melisa Case spearheaded the drive which included some social media campaigning. On February 4th they started with 1 barrel and some paper bags, but with early success, they quickly added 2 barrels and 400 bags on February 21st, then 3 barrels and another 400 bags on February 23rd, and another 7 barrels and more bags on March 1st. Their final delivery meant 10 barrels were needed to collect all the food by only March 6th. Did they reach the 6,000 item mark? YES and every day they counted the incoming donations to keep the momentum going. This picture only shows part of the collection and all of the wonderful Realtors determined to fight hunger. Their slogan should be: Realtors not only show houses, they show they care about the community!

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Event Recap – Empty Bowls 2012

April 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The wonderful hand-painted bowls, which each guest takes home, symbolize all of the “empty bowls,” in our communities. This year, bowls were painted by Chevron and Diablo Magazine employees as well as Food Bank staff and volunteers.

Concord guests were treated to opening remarks by Stacy Moffit from Chevron, and Lori Castillo of Aim High Day Care was the featured speaker. Fairfield guests were welcomed by the Food Bank’s Executive Director, Larry Sly.  Larry Leach of Vallejo Seventh Day Adventist Community Services addressed the guests in Fairfield.  There were several raffle prizes as well as musical entertainment. Concord High Jazz Band performed at the Concord event and Crystal Middle School Band entertained at the Fairfield event.

Soup was provided by two of our agencies, Bay Area Rescue Mission and Loaves & Fishes as well as local restaurants (Old Spaghetti Factory, Tony’s, Huckleberry’s, Crepes and More, Sandy’s 101 Omelet’s). Coffee in Concord was donated by Starbucks (Locust Street in Walnut Creek) and Peet’s (Fairfield).

Empty Bowls has become one of the Food Bank’s most popular events and now sells out at the Concord location. This was the first year the event was held at the new Fairfield warehouse and it too was well attended. The agency was fortunate to have this year’s event sponsored by Chevron Corporation, with media coverage provided by CBS5 and Diablo Magazine, and print collateral sponsored by Mathew Rinn of State Farm Insurance.

Tell us your favorite thing about the Empty Bowls event in the comments.

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Concord Egg Farmers Help Struggling Families with Donation of 25,920 Eggs

April 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 Despite signs of economic recovery, record numbers of families in our community — and across America — are currently relying on food assistance.  In fact, one in eight Americans will receive help in 2012 from local food banks.  Among the most needed items are sources of high quality protein.

California’s own NuCal Foods donated more than 432,000 eggs to local food banks including a donation of 25,920 eggs to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano to help families struggling with food insecurity.

NuCal Foods’ efforts are part of a national effort, organized by the United Egg Producers and Feeding America.  For the fifth consecutive spring, America’s egg farmers are giving the Easter Bunny and families in need, a helping hand by donating nearly 10 million fresh eggs.  That brings the number of eggs farmers have contributed since 2008 to 60 million — equaling nearly 5 million dozen.

“NuCal Foods farmers are  third and fourth generation family businesses, and we are proud to be partnering with the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano to provide much needed protein to the most needy in our community, especially during the Easter holiday season,” said Jim Van Gorkom, VP of Sales and Marketing, of NuCal Foods.

High quality sources of protein, such as eggs, are especially needed and valued at food banks like ours.  According to the USDA, one large egg delivers six grams of protein, along with 13 essential nutrients, including choline, folate, iron and zinc.  After a review of the nutrient composition of standard large eggs last year, USDA concluded that the average amount of cholesterol was 14 percent lower, and vitamin D content was 64 percent higher, than previously measured.

We are grateful to receive such a generous donation from our local egg farmers.  It is a privilege to receive such a protein-rich, highly nutritional food to share with those in need in our community.

What is your favorite egg dish to cook?

Filed Under: Donations, Featured Tagged With: , , , ,

One Sunday Makes a Big Difference

March 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church (also known to the community as LOPC) has been a long time supporter of the Food Bank. They have collected food donations for many years and are one of our longest running food drives. LOPC is a huge presence in the community always working with local, national and international partners to help those in need. On Sunday February 27th hundreds of volunteers helped organizations with projects throughout our community.

A very ambitious group of volunteers led by “Team Leader” Kerry Kinrade were organized and ready to work. They were able to sort and box a considerable amount of donated food enabling us to serve those in need in our community.

For more about the LOPC visit them on the web. http://www.lopc.org/

Filed Under: Volunteer Tagged With: , , ,
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