Archive for the ‘hunger’ Category

10,000 Letters Campaign: Make Your Voice Heard

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Governor Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget would eliminate the California Food Assistance Program, cut Supplemental Security Income, and decimate the CalWORKS program and other vital services, all of which will exacerbate hunger in your community and throughout the state.

With just a short time left before Governor Schwarzenegger introduces his May Revision budget, it’s imperative that voices for health and human services are heard loud and clear in the Capitol! 

That’s why the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano is partnering with other human services organizations across the state in asking everyone to generate letters for the “10,000 Letters Campaign”.  Our shared goal is to generate 10,000 letters to members of the Assembly and Senate Budget Committees and other leaders in opposition to the Governor’s proposed budget as soon as possible! 

We know that several thousand letters have already been generated – NOW we need your help to ensure we meet (and hopefully surpass) our goal of 10,000! 

Please click on the links below for your legislators, print out, sign, record your name, city and zip code (below your signature), and mail or fax each letter as soon as possible. We urge you to ask your family members, friends, colleagues, and anyone else to do the same. Thank you!

Assembly Member Joan Buchanan
Assembly Member Noreen Evans
Assembly Member Nancy Skinner
Assembly Member Tom Torlakson
Assembly Member Mariko Yamada
Senator Mark DeSaulnier
Senator Loni Hancock
Senator Pat Wiggins
Senator Lois Wolk

To locate your State representatives, visit www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html. If you are having difficulty opening any of these documents, please email Patty McDowell at pmcdowell@foodbankccs.org.

Posted in California, action, advocacy, budget, hunger, legislation, need | No Comments »

Tune in to Idol Gives Back on April 21 and Support Your Local Food Bank

Friday, April 16th, 2010

The Feeding America nationwide network of food banks is among the charities that will benefit from this year’s American Idol fundraising special, Idol Gives Back. Be sure to tune in to Idol Gives Back on Wednesday, April 21 at 8/7c PM on FOX. We’re excited not only for their generosity, but also for this great opportunity to spread awareness about hunger in our country — a true national emergency! See how you can get involved in Idol Gives Back and support the fight against hunger in America.

The Emmy Award-winning television event and musical celebration will raise awareness and funds to benefit various U.S. and international charities, during the Top 7 Results Show.  Donations made to the Idol Gives Back Foundation will help the children and families most affected by these tough economic times. You can get more information about the event and hear from Season 9 Finalists on the new Idol Gives Back section of American Idol’s website (http://www.americanidol.com/idolgivesback/). Visitors to the page can make donations prior to the event or join the Help Me Give Back program and raise their own funds by creating individual fundraising pages or joining fundraising teams.

All of the funds raised by the Idol Gives Back Foundation and granted to Feeding America will support the campaign for a Hunger-Free America ensuring that the Feeding America network will continue the fight against hunger with innovative programming and persistent advocacy.

Posted in Feeding America, Give a Little Feed a lot, action, donation, event, hunger | 1 Comment »

Child Nutrition Reauthorization Advances to Senate

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

On March 24, the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry unanimously approved the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Bill.  The advancement of this critical piece of legislation is a step forward in achieving an end to childhood hunger by 2015, and has the potential to increase access to nutritious food for children during the school day, afterschool, in the summer, over weekends and extended school holidays. 

Now the current bill is moving to the full Senate for a vote later this spring or early summer.  So it is a critical time for us, as caring citizens, to ask our legislators for their support in fully funding Child Nutrition Reauthorization in order to end child hunger in this nation. 

We urge you to simply call the Congressional switchboard at 202-224-3121 and tell your senator “we need a strong Child Nutrition Reauthorization Bill as soon as possible at the President’s proposed level of $10 billion over 10 years so we can achieve the President’s goal of ending child hunger by 2015”.  A comprehensive and fully funded Child Nutrition Reauthorization Bill needs to pass quickly so that our children do not have to wait another year to have access to the nutritious foods needed to lead healthy and productive lives. 

For more information about engaging in advocacy efforts during Child Nutrition Reauthorization, please click here to join our mailing list.

George Miller reads a book about nutrition from children served by the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County in his office in Washington, DC.

Posted in action, advocacy, hunger, nutrition | No Comments »

One Man, One Bike, One Fight

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

Drew Marinelli was a Peace Corps volunteer in Niger, West Africa who became so concerned about hunger throughout the world that he decided to ride his bike from Key West, Florida to San Francisco to spread the word about steps people can take to help those in need. In doing this trip, he has connected with Rotary clubs throughout the US, and our Executive Director’s club in Concord hosted him on September 25.

Drew is also interested in the work food banks do to fight hunger, and he toured our facility before attending the Rotary meeting. Drew shared his observations on hunger in the world and about his bicycle ride with staff and volunteers.

Drew’s trip was featured on the 5 O’clock news on FOX2 that night. You can find out more on his website onemanonebikeonefight.com. Finally, I should note that Drew is 6 feet 9 inches tall, so we took his picture with Kathleah, our Accounting Specialist, who is less than 5 feet tall. :=)

Posted in Contra Costa County, education, hunger | 1 Comment »

Vallejo CROP Hunger Walk

Thursday, June 11th, 2009

Community organizers and everyday citizens helped to end hunger locally and around the world on Saturday, April 25, by taking part in the CROP Hunger Walk at the Ferry Terminal at the Vallejo Waterfront benefiting four local organizations including the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. Read more and see pictures here: http://www.vallejocropwalk.blogspot.com/.

Posted in CROP Hunger Walk, Solano County, action, event, hunger | No Comments »

See the Lemon Lady in the news

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

Anna, The Lemon Lady, spent the day with ABC7 talking about the work she does and the need for fresh produce at food pantries. Read more here: http://claycord.blogspot.com/2009/06/lemon-lady-of-claycord-on-abc7-news.html
and here: http://thelemonlady.blogspot.com/2009/06/exciting-day-with-abc-news-reporters.html.

Posted in Contra Costa County, donation, hunger, produce, volunteer | 1 Comment »

You’re invited!

Friday, May 29th, 2009

What: The first HUNGER FIGHTERS Community Advocates Against Hunger meeting.

Why: Learn what it means to be a community advocate and about the legislation the Food Bank supports. This is your chance to ask us questions!

When and Where: June 10 at 5:30 at the Food Bank warehouse in Concord and June 11 at 5:30 at the Food Bank warehouse in Fairfield. Visit our website for directions.

More info or to RSVP (by June 5): Lisa Sherrill, lsherrill@foodbankccs.org or 925-771-1304.

Posted in Contra Costa County, Solano County, action, budget, hunger, legislation, volunteer | No Comments »

Stamp Out Hunger this Saturday

Thursday, May 7th, 2009

Help the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger by placing nonperishable food items by your mailbox prior to your regular mail delivery on Saturday, May 9.

How to Participate:
1) On May 9th, simply place bags filled with nonperishable food items next to your mailbox. See our list of most-needed foods for suggestions.
2) Your letter carrier will pick your food donations up and the food will be delivered to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.
3) It’s that easy!
Learn more by reading stories from the frontlines: Letter Carriers who serve Contra Costa and Solano Counties.

Posted in Contra Costa County, National Association of Letter Carriers, Solano County, Stamp Out Hunger, food drive, hunger | 2 Comments »