As our COVID-19 response continues, we took a few moments to check in with staff members who manage and coordinate some of our various food programs. They interact with our neighbors of our community who need our services and witness firsthand the impact your generosity makes.
What are clients saying?
People are sincerely grateful for the produce they get through the Community Produce Program. We have seen more need, and we are working hard to meet it. There is so much gratitude; I hear “thank you” a hundred times a day! Many more people now simply can’t afford fresh fruit and vegetables. If they didn’t get it through us, they simply would go without.
What is the Community Produce Program?
The Community Produce Program gives out fresh fruits and vegetables at 140 distributions a month. Each person ends up taking home about 20 pounds of produce. It’s more essential than ever right now that people have access to healthy food so they have money for their other basic expenses.
What do you want people to know?
We’re always going to be here when we’re needed! With regard to safety, we keep the line moving smoothly to accommodate social distancing by letting people know how things work in both English and Spanish. There’s been an added bonus–we found that our new table layout actually is getting clients through the line faster, so we plan on keeping this new system!
Rumor has it, you add a little “flair” to your distributions?
Yes, I try to lighten spirits by playing music through my personal portable speaker. I find both our regular volunteers and the clients react positively when I put on something like the Earth Wind and Fire Pandora station.
For information about our food programs, please visit foodbankccs.org/getfood or call 855-309-FOOD.
Right now you can donate your vehicle and the proceeds will be used to provide food for the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.
Cars 2nd Chance accepts car and vehicle donations of ALL types and they will pick up your vehicle at no charge. Let them get it out of the driveway or off the street!
Call 925-326-5868 or visit cars2ndchance.com/donate.
“We are grateful to Cars 2nd Chance for selecting us as a beneficiary of the money they raise through fixing up and selling donated vehicles. This fundraiser has the potential to create upwards of a quarter of a million meals, which would really help us meet the increased need we’re experiencing due to COVID-19.”
-Joel Sjostrom, Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano President and CEO
About Cars 2nd Chance:
FAQ:
Q: Will they accept my vehicle if it doesn’t run?
A: That’s OK. They’ll still pick it up!
Q. Can I safely donate right now, even during the COVID-19 shelter in place?
A. Yes! Call for details.
Q: What can I donate?
A. They accept all types of vehicles including cars, boats, RVs, trailers, buses, and motorcycles.
How do we help seniors?
Senior Food Program distributions take place twice a month and are held at churches, senior centers and senior housing facilities. Seniors are able to get two bags of groceries which typically consist of items such as bread, pasta, canned goods, cheese and produce. We have 3500 households participating at 33 sites. It’s an incredible network.
What challenges are you facing in trying to feed seniors in this COVID-19 age?
We understand the concerns that seniors might have about leaving their homes to get food at a Senior Food Program distribution, and our response to that is we believe our sites are a safer alternative to going to a grocery store. Our distributions are held in large spaces and have fewer people. We control the supply chain and we control who is onsite volunteering. We understand we are serving a very vulnerable population, so we have put many safety protocols in place.
Who is eligible to participate in the Senior Food Program?
Anyone 55 or older who meets the income guidelines can come sign-up for the free program in their city or nearby city if they bring the following items with them:
For distribution times, dates and locations, please visit foodbankccs.org/getfood or call 855-309-3663 (FOOD).
Usually we bring a little extra food for walk-ups, so there is a good chance seniors could be given groceries the same day they register for the program.
What else should seniors know?
Adults qualifying for the Senior Food Program can also participate in the Food Assistance Program and our Community Produce Program. We want seniors to get enough proper nutrition to keep themselves as healthy as possible. Also, don’t forget that as of last year, seniors receiving SSI can also apply for CalFresh.
How do we nourish kids?
We’re continuing to partner with school districts in Contra Costa and Solano counties through our Farm 2 Kids program. Thankfully, all local school districts are stepping up and holding free lunch distributions for students during the school closures, and we’re providing them with weekly deliveries of supplemental food boxes and produce bags.
How have things changed because of the early school closures?
It was crazy the first two weeks after schools closed. Trying to quickly make a new plan in unprecedented circumstances with eight different school districts was definitely a challenge. Now that the initial logistical work has been done, it’s eased up a little. Our school programs have been established for a long time and usually run like a well-oiled machine. Things are a lot more fluid now; I’m constantly communicating with our district contacts and warehouse managers because sometimes we have to make changes with very short notice.
What about your job is most rewarding?
I get to leave work every day and think, “Well, that mattered.” I have gotten to know many of our clients, and when they tell me how much the food we give them makes a difference in their lives, or how excited they are about the new produce I picked for the month, it’s the best feeling!
What are your biggest challenges?
I struggle with knowing that even though food banks are meant to be a short-term emergency resource, many people are forced to use them as a long-term solution to the systemic problem of hunger. That’s why I love hearing about the great work Cassidie and Mary Ann (our advocacy team) are doing to fight for our community in the higher echelons of government.
There are a million different reasons why people are turning to the Food Bank right now…
“My husband just had an operation, so we do not have an income right now. I am his full-time caregiver and we are really grateful for the food.”
“This is my first time at a Food Bank distribution. I am a full-time nursing student here at LMC. I am looking for work, but it is hard to find anything right now. My brother, who helped support our household, was laid off, so this food really helps.”
“I work as a special needs paraprofessional for my local school district. I have not yet received the stimulus check, nor my unemployment like so many others in CA.”
And these are just a few of the people currently needing your help.
We’re going to be honest, we’ve never been in this position before. Having the need grow dramatically, while simultaneously having to cancel scheduled fundraisers (including our annual Nourish Gala) is really challenging to say the least.
Thankfully you Facebook fundraisers out there, you stimulus check “pay-it-forwarders,” you virtual food drive team leaders…you’re all coming to the rescue! Every dollar you are donating and every minute you are volunteering is making a difference.
To us and the people we serve–you are all heroes.
Here’s the thing though–our work is just beginning. The financial impact of this health crisis isn’t going away anytime soon.
We are in this recovery for the long haul, but we can’t do it without you. If you can help, please act now.
It’s your generosity and willingness to help that keeps us going both literally and figuratively.
Together we will nourish our community through these uncertain times.
Kim Castaneda
Development Director
Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano
Dear Food Bank Family,
We understand it’s more important than ever to stay connected in these uncertain times. The number one thing we want people to know is that as an essential service, we are working hard to continue giving out food through our regular programs. Our generous community is constantly checking in with us to see how things are going at the Food Bank and we really appreciate it, so here’s a brief summary of what’s currently happening:
Programs update: Meeting demand with emergency boxes of food
Though we’re hosting some drive-thru distributions now, like the one held at Los Medanos College this week, distributing emergency boxes of food through existing partnerships is proving to be also very effective at meeting the need. Some of our partnering nonprofit agencies are reporting a 180-200% increase in attendance.
Volunteer update: All volunteers are required to wear face coverings
To comply with the Contra Costa Health Office mask mandate, employees and volunteers are now required to use face coverings to help slow the spread of COVID-19. At this time we are not able to provide masks for our volunteers; all volunteers must bring their own face coverings. Click here for the CDC’s DIY tutorial on making masks.
Operations Update: The National Guard is still helping in Fairfield
We don’t know how long we will have the assistance, but for right now, the National Guard is still working out of our Fairfield warehouse. The incredibly streamlined effort is resulting in 1,000 emergency boxes of food being put together and 10,000 pounds of produce being bagged each day–five days a week! Watch KRON coverage of Bay Area Food Banks (our video is at the end).
CalFresh Update: CalFresh applications increase
Our CalFresh Outreach team helped 25% more people apply for the federal anti-hunger program. In April and May, some recipients will also receive an emergency allotment of extra funds.
Starting April 28, 2020, CalFresh recipients can now use their EBT card to purchase groceries online at Walmart and Amazon. This is great news for at-risk populations to continue getting healthy food without leaving home.
Advocacy Update: Evolving advocacy during COVID-19
Due to the precedence that COVID-19 has taken in our communities, our 2020 advocacy activities have been fully revised to predominantly focus on legislation and government funding that relates to the current pandemic.
Development Update: Gift matching more important than ever
The recently announced Lesher Foundation’s match still has not been met. To take advantage of this offer, you must use this link or mail a check to the Food Bank and write LESHER MATCH in the memo section.
Did you know that thousands of companies match donations made by their employees to organizations like ours? Find out if your employer has a matching gift program.
During these ever-changing days, we are more grateful than ever for your steadfast support!
Best,
Lisa Sherrill
Communications Director
Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano
Top: A drive-thru distribution participant picking up for his family of four.
Bottom: Volunteers bagging produce for school lunch sites. (Picture taken pre-mask requirement.)
Top: Program Director, Nora, keeping the drive-thru distribution running smoothly.
Bottom: A Community Produce Program volunteer who wants you to know “I’m smiling under here.”
For more photos of our COVID-19 response, check out our Facebook album. You do not need an account to view photos.
In the past two weeks, we have seen a dramatic increase in the demand for our services. We anticipate that need will grow exponentially as schools remain closed and paychecks disappear. As a supporter of the Food Bank, we wanted to give you an inside look at what it’s like to lead in a crisis and adapt our services to the ever-changing new normal.
In the past two weeks we have seen a dramatic increase in the demand for our services. We anticipate that need will grow exponentially as schools remain closed and paychecks disappear. As a supporter of the Food Bank, we wanted to give you an inside look at what it’s like to lead in a crisis and adapt our services to the ever-changing new normal.
What have been your biggest obstacles in getting food out to the people who need it? Initially, the biggest obstacle we faced was the fact that many of our core volunteers are in a vulnerable age group and could no longer help. It has been incredible to see our calls to the community for more volunteers being answered. We also needed to implement new safety measures at hundreds of direct food distributions to make sure that staff, volunteers, and clients are maintaining social distancing. One way we achieved this was by developing drive-thru food pickups! Additionally, we continue to work closely with our vast network of partner agencies to help them stay open in order to maximize our collective outreach.
You started your new role as Programs Director on March 2nd. Two weeks into your job, our community was in a shelter in place. What has that been like?
It has been quite an onboarding for sure as COVID-19 presents unique challenges! Thankfully, my background in nonprofit leadership taught me to be resourceful and flexible when navigating whatever needs and obstacles arise. I also want to say I have felt so supported by everyone coming onboard in the midst of this crisis. The staff and volunteers here are so driven by the mission to serve others that they are willing to really go the extra mile to help out.
What might our supporters find surprising about the people attending our food distributions?
I remember meeting a woman at one of our Community Produce Program distributions who had just come from work as a cashier at a high-end specialty grocery store. She shared with me that she had just spent the day helping customers who were able to fill up their carts with food, but having fallen on hard times, she couldn’t afford to do the same. She was used to being a donor, not a recipient of Food Bank services. Her experience really resonated with me in how everyone’s situations are so fragile and with some bad luck or a layoff, anyone could be in a situation without enough food to eat. Sadly, more and more people are finding themselves in this woman’s shoes because of the economic impact of COVID-19.
In the past two weeks we have seen a dramatic increase in the demand for our services. We anticipate that need will grow exponentially as schools remain closed and paychecks disappear. As a supporter of the Food Bank, we wanted to give you an inside look at what it’s like to lead in a crisis and adapt our services to the ever-changing new normal.
What keeps you going during these uncertain times?
Things have been very stressful, but what motivates me is simply thinking about people going to bed hungry–especially children because I am a father. Being at a food distribution and seeing how excited some kids get over the opportunity to eat fruit–as though it’s Christmas–just makes me want to do more. Ensuring our staff and clients are safe also really drives me.
How have the last seven years at the Food Bank prepared you for something of this scale?
I have been in food banking for 20 years and honestly, nothing can fully prepare you for this. I’d say having prior strategies in place on how to best reach our hardest-hit communities is helpful and utilizing our established partnerships in the community is key!
You wear a lot of hats, from being in charge of warehouse operations in both Concord and Fairfield, to managing the technology needs of the organization, what have some of your challenges been?
Due to supply and demand, we’re running into many shipping delays for the food we are ordering. On the technology side–to keep our employees as safe as possible, we’re allowing those who can do their job from home to do so. That has required purchasing additional equipment and investing time getting those staff members up and running so we can continue our services.
