Two Cents a Meal Grant

February 23rd, 2010

Rockville Presbyterian Fellowship Deacons, Dan Sanders and John Schmidt are here with church members Duncan Miller and John Hom presenting a check for $2,000.00 to Barbara Stanley of the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.

Rockville Presbyterian Fellowship in Fairfield presenting a donation check to Barbara Stanley

Rockville Presbyterian Fellowship in Fairfield presenting a donation check to Barbara Stanley

This check represents a ”Two Cents a Meal Grant” from the Presbytery made possible through their congregation’s donations to 2 Cents-A-Meal every second Sunday. The monies collected also help Rockville Presbyterian Fellowship feed the hungry through their Community Out Reach Programs at Mission Solano and their Nomadic Program on the third Friday of each month.  A BIG thank you to all Rockville Presbyterian Fellowship members and volunteers.

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Helping Keep Pets And Their People Together

February 19th, 2010

More and more pets are finding themselves homeless because their families are facing tough economic times.  AniMeals Pet Food Bank is a partnership of Contra Costa Humane Society, the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, and Pet Food Express that helps financially challenged families and individuals keep their pets in the home.

AniMeals works with community groups, local businesses, and compassionate individuals to collect pet food and, through partnership with the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, distribute these goods to our community’s neediest families.

The PMI Group in Walnut Creek is hosting an ongoing Pet Food Drive and so far has collected 79 pounds of pet food for the AniMeals program. The Contra Costa Humane Society estimates that 1,000 pounds feeds 100 medium-size dogs/300 medium-size cats for about a month.

AniMeals takes donations of unopened and unexpired dog and cat food here at the Contra Costa Humane Society office in Pleasant Hill as well as at other pet-friendly sites around the county.

You can find AniMeals barrels in the nine Contra Costa County Pet Food Express stores as well as several local vets and pet food/supply stores. (Pet Food Express offers 20% discount on any AniMeals donations

AniMeals also offers other opportunities for support, including monetary donations, sponsorships, hosting your own food drive, and volunteering.

To donate to AniMeals, click here.  For more information and opportunities with the AniMeals program, please email animeals.cchs@sbcglobal.net.

Please help us keep pets and their people together!

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Holiday Food and Fund Drives

February 17th, 2010

Take a look at just some of the many ways the community supported the Food Bank during the Holiday Season. Please browse our blog to see other ways individuals, businesses and groups have been helping the Food Bank.

During the holiday season, ABC7 and Safeway sponsor the Share Your Holiday food drive in local stores. This year it brought in over 92,000 pounds of food — a tremendous help throughout the winter months. Community members purchase non-perishable groceries and put their bags into the barrels in the front of Safeway stores. In addition, ABC7 and Safeway sponsor a one day event in which the Food Bank teamed up with the Alameda County Community Food Bank at the new Safeway Store in San Ramon. This one day we were able to raise over $128,220 and 5,747 pounds of food. We are truly grateful to all those involved in this event for their time, hard work and energy to make the event successful.

Beginning on November 1 all bay area Whole Foods Markets kept barrels in their stores to receive non-perishable food donations for the holiday months during the CBS5/Whole Foods Market Food for Bay Area Families food drive and collected 3,728 pounds of food.  On Dec. 8, Whole Foods held a 5% Day in support of Food for Bay Area Families which made a donation of $8,697. During the entire drive, CBS5 also ­generously provided on air-time to ­recognize donors.

For many years, ABC7/Safeway Thanksgiving Meals has continued to help us raise the money needed to make the holiday baskets for our neighbors. This year, we were able to make over 19,000 holiday food baskets! Our special donors — who gave $28,238 and 827 turkeys — had the honor of having their names announced on the 6:00 evening news by ABC7’s Spencer Christian.

In an effort to lend a helping hand this holiday season, CVS pharmacy stores partnered with local food banks to aid in the fight against hunger during the NBC Bay Area’s Holiday Food Drive. Volunteers at bay area stores handed out information and asked for food donations on November 21, making a huge impact to this food drive. The drive collected, 16,115 pounds of food that will be distributed during the winter months to those desperately in need.

Other Holiday Food drives include Travis Credit Union: 5,267 pounds, Food Maxx: 3,562 pounds, Save Mart: 2,360 pounds, and Lucky: 26,454 pounds. Over 800 community food drives were held during the 2009 holiday season and every single one made a difference to the Food Bank and the people we serve. Many thanks to all of those involved for the much
needed food.

Throughout the year the Food Bank is the beneficiary of so many wonderful events and food drives thanks to our generous community.

CBS 5 recognizing the Student Food Drive

CBS 5 recognizing the Student Food Drive

ABC’s Laura Anthony and County Connection

ABC’s Laura Anthony and County Connection

Creekside

Creekside Church at ABC7 and Safeway's Share Your Holiday event

Travis Credit Union

Travis Credit Union decorated their food drive barrels for the holiday season

Moraga CVS Store

Moraga CVS Store with the store manager and volunteers from Key Club and Kiwanis

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Helping our Neighbors in Need

February 12th, 2010

Throughout the year the Food Bank benefits from many wonderful events and food drives thanks to the generous community. Every holiday season, several communities in Contra Costa and Solano counties host neighborhood food drives. The spirit of these neighborhoods is what the season is all about!

Food Drive Monetary Donation Food Donated
Apple Hill $                                445.00 2614
Blackhawk $                          47,696.54 11344
Brickyard Landing $                                315.00 615
Country Club Cleaners $                            2,955.00 1628
County Connection $                                260.00 1735
Crow Canyon $                            2,101.00 2033
Diablo $                            1,985.00 1768
Kensington Vet Hospital 166
Kensington  Ace Hardware 103
Kensington Mechanics Bank 89
Magee Ranch $                                180.00 1156
Promontory $                                  55.00 253
Rossmoor $                          16,854.50 11240
Round Hill $                            4,125.00 2376
Stonegate/Stonebridge $                            3,630.00 1681
WestCAT $                                100.00 377
Whitegate/Bryan Ranch/Bryan Meadow $                            4,960.37 2586
Crow Canyon

Crow Canyon

Whitegate

Whitegate

Diablo

Diablo

Magee Ranch

Magee Ranch

WestCAT

Round Hill

Stonegate

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Pound For Pound Challenge

February 4th, 2010

For the second consecutive year, Feeding America will partner with General Mills, Subway, 24 Hour Fitness, Walgreens, The Biggest Loser to encourage Americans to lose weight through the Pound For Pound Challenge. The program is built around the incredible success of The Biggest Loser, a reality show that challenges and encourages overweight contestants to shed pounds in a safe manner through diet and exercise. Individuals can go to www.pfpchallenge.com to pledge their weight-loss goals or donate money to the challenge online. (Remember every $1 donated to the Food Bank provides 3 meals to people in need in our community.) For every pound pledged, the Pound for Pound Challenge sponsors will donate 14 cents to Feeding America, up to a maximum donation of $800,000. We even have a facebook group you can join to share ideas and get support.

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Cupid’s Cash

January 21st, 2010

Looking for the perfect low cal Valentine gift?  Purchase Cupid’s Cash for your loved one!  Available exclusively at California Pacific Federal Credit Union, 4075 Nelson Ave. Suite E, Concord.  This is real United States currency….bankable and spendable!  All proceeds benefit the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.  Only $2.50 includes Valentine greeting card, envelope and $1 Cupid’s Cash!

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Cast your vote for the 2010 Stampy Awards

January 20th, 2010

The nominees are in…let the voting begin!  California Food Policy Advocates have received nominations from across the state to honor the efforts of individuals working to improve the Food Stamp Program in California.  Please help our very own Kathi Kelly from Contra Costa County win! By voting, you are rewarding efforts to improve the program, as well as identifying actions and attitudes you want replicated. The winners will be announced at the 11th Annual Food Stamp Forum on Thursday, February 18, 2010 in Sacramento. To cast your ballot, go to http://www.cfpa.net/2010FSForum/forms/2010stampyballot.html, check the box by Kathi Kelly and click “SUBMIT” at the bottom of the page.  Polls will close at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 31, 2010.

Here is why we think Kathi should win:

Kathi has been an outstanding advocate for improved access to Food Stamps.  In the past four years, she has trained hundreds of employees from the county and community based organizations by partnering with the Food Bank to presently “Myths and Facts of Food Stamp Eligibility” on a quarterly basis.  She regularly prepares and shares additional materials to explain food stamp eligibility at quarterly luncheons where people working on food stamp outreach gather to share experiences.  Kathi continually strives to interpret the FS regulations in a way that improves access.  She developed a countywide mail-in application process that allows people to complete the DFA 285 A1 and mail it to her.  She then sends it out to the appropriate district office.  While the number of applications coming in through this effort are small (an average of 35/month) this has been a valuable tool for food stamp outreach workers to use.  Kathi’s sensitivity to the needs of Food Stamp clients is shared by the EBT team in Contra Costa County who managed the September transition to a new vendor with an absolute minimum of disruption to the clients.  During a time of county cuts in staffing, Kathi’s continual “can do” approach and her openness to questions and concerns of advocates has truly made a difference in Contra Costa County where Food Stamp enrollment is up over 25% from last year.

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Las Lomas Lends a Helping Hand in Food Drive

January 13th, 2010

Although the current economic crisis has lead to more donations to local charities and food banks, there are more people who need the donated food more than ever. “We are serving over 108,000 people, 30 percent more than two years ago,” said Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano’s community relations manager Lisa Sherrill. “People are coming to us because they have been laid off and can’t find work or they just don’t make enough to make ends meet. In Contra Costa County, it would take four full-time minimum wage jobs to earn enough for the basic necessities.” Approximately 33 percent of the people served at the local Contra Costa and Solano county Food Bank are children.

Las Lomas helped the cause with its annual Food Drive, which ran from Nov. 9 through Nov. 20. According to Community Service Commissioner Natalie Herndon, the school raised 2200 pounds of food this year. “With the shape of the economy, this year we were not expecting a very big food drive, but we were pleasantly surprised,” said Herndon. “The student body really helped out at a time when the food banks need it most. And I wish everyone could understand how grateful the Contra Costa Food Bank is for all donations.”

Junior Anna Jameson spent long hours along with the Community Service Board to help make this year’s Food Drive the best it could be. “Planning the food drive was a lot of fun and hard work,” said Jameson. “We visited the food bank for ideas and were able to put a lot of those ideas in action.”

Leadership separately rewarded the two classes that brought in the most cans and the most money for the Food Drive with a pizza party.

James Morgan’s Chemistry class raised over 1,700 cans, winning the pizza party. “I was very proud of how my class raised to the challenge. They were truly Knights,” said Morgan. “I have a history of winning the can food drive in my previous teaching assignment. It was for a great cause and I was able to crush Mr. Schreiber class like a bug.”

Sophomore Miranda Fulks donated 40 cans, contributing to the class’s win. According to a text, Fulks said, “We were proud we won. We brought in so many cans. Most of us brought like 40 cans each. And it felt good to donate and help a lot of people out.”

Japanese teacher Andrew Schreiber’s Japanese 3 class also won a pizza party for bringing in the most money among all of the classes. “My classes in the past have chosen to donate; however, this year was very special,” said Schreiber. “With many parents and families being hit by the financial downturn, to donate to people in need is wonderful”.

By Erin Weckel, guest blogger and Los Lomas student

Posted in Contra Costa County, donation, food drive, schools, youth | 1 Comment »

Pound for Pound Challenge Kicks off on The Biggest Loser

January 6th, 2010

New Year’s is approaching! What’s your resolution? To hit the gym more often, shed those extra pounds that have been pestering you, to give back to your community or all of the above? You’ve come to the right place.

“The Biggest Loser” on NBC is sponsoring the 2nd Pound for Pound Challenge. General Mills has been gracious enough to donate 14 cents per pound pledged on the Pound for Pound Website. The Challenge Kicks off on The Biggest Loser tonight at 8 p.m.

Let’s make the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano the #1 food bank in America! We are already second in California! So go ahead and think about your goal, pledge the pounds, and let your friends and family know! Remember- for us to get the credit, one must type in a Contra Costa or Solano County zip code. We have until May 2010 to meet our goals.

Together we can change our lifestyles and help those that need it most. Let’s show America that we can be THE BIGGEST LOSERS!

Sign up for the Pound for Pound Challenge.

Good luck and most importantly… HAVE FUN!

Please let us know if you have any questions about the Pound for Pound Challenge at lsherrill@foodbankccs.org or 925-676-7543.

Posted in Pound For Pound Challenge, action, physical activity | No Comments »

Lollipop Lane

December 29th, 2009

As you approach Lollipop Lane in Vacaville every December, the first thing you notice is the sound of holiday music blaring from outdoor speakers, and the blur of lights as you turn onto the street (known January through November as Shady Glen Avenue). Every house is decorated in the lollipop theme, Food Bank donation barrels are placed in front of many of the homes, and there, in front of the McKimmy home is Santa, listening to children’s wishes and letting out a right jolly laugh every now and then.


For the past eight years, Don and Yukiko McKimmy have encouraged visitors to Lollipop Lane to donate food and money to the Food Bank. With help from neighbors and numerous others, Don has made Lollipop Lane and Candy Cane Lane (one street over) a must-see destination each December. Appearing twice during the month are the Fellowship of the Ringers, a local bell ringing group that have volunteered their time for the past six years and perform their repertoire of holiday music for the hundreds of visitors who come by. This year, Lollypop Lane collected over 707 pounds of food!

Posted in Solano County, donation, food drive, holiday food drive | 1 Comment »

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