Blog - Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano

5 ways to a happier 2021

January 12, 2021 By Jenny Leave a Comment

Need a mental health boost? We get it! A lot of things feel out of our control, but there are things you can do to feel engaged and connected to one another–while remaining safe! Here are five ways to make 2021 a happier year for you AND the people who turn to the Food Bank!

VOLUNTEER: The act of volunteering helps counteract the effects of stress, anger, anxiety and depression, improves self-confidence and provides a sense of purpose.
BE SOCIAL: Follow us on social media at @foodbankccs and see with your own eyes the good work being done in our community! It’s good for restoring your faith in humanity.
BRING OUT THE BEST IN OTHERS: Encourage your friends, families and colleagues to get involved in their community by starting a food drive. By nature, most people want to help, and sometimes all they need is a call to action and a little nudge.
ENTER OUR RECIPE CHALLENGE: Submit a healthy 10-ingredient-or-less recipe to the Food Bank at [email protected] and it could be featured in an upcoming edition of REfresh. You just might become Food Bank famous!
LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR: Check on your neighbors, friends and family and if they are struggling financially, let them know about resources available to them at foodbankccs.org/getfood.

A New Year’s Message from our CEO

January 4, 2021 By Joel Sjostrom

Most of us are happy to have 2020 in our rearview mirror, but honestly, many of its challenges, as they relate to hunger, are going to continue to be a part of the narrative for 2021. One good thing about the year-that-shall-not-be-named is that the long-standing issue of hunger in America is now in the national spotlight. Hunger is often highlighted during the holidays, but it’s actually a year-round national crisis. Now that hunger is in the headlines, we must help fill the immediate need, while also creating long-lasting changes.

There isn’t a vaccine for hunger, so it will take us all working together to make this a better year for our food-insecure neighbors. When it comes to fighting hunger, don’t forget that YOU ARE ESSENTIAL.

We can’t be sure of how everything will play out in 2021, but we are certain of a few things:

Unemployment and underemployment will remain.
Inequities in food access will still exist.
We will have to contend with another fire season.
People will continue to turn to the Food Bank for help.
The Food Bank WILL be there for our community, just like it has been for the past 45 years.

As we move forward, let’s bring with us the biggest lesson learned last year: we can achieve incredible feats when we work together! You answered our call for help time and time again and it’s this unwavering support that keeps us going.

As opportunities to be a part of the solution present themselves this year, we encourage you to act upon them because there is still a lot left to do.

What do you say? Let’s roll up those sleeves, pull up those bootstraps and get to work!

Joel Sjostrom
President and CEO
Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano

The impact of your kindness

December 8, 2020 By Jenny

What does a single mom of five children, a man being treated for blood cancer and a college student in his 50’s all have in common?

They are among the 270,000 of our neighbors you have been nourishing through this pandemic.

The single mom? She recently shared with us, “This food is the main reason why my kids and I are able to eat so well–especially because of the fresh produce. I no longer have to go hungry so my kids can eat.”

The man with blood cancer? He was “very concerned about bringing home the virus” because he’s immunocompromised. He found our new contactless drive-thru distributions to be “very helpful.”

Oh, and the non-traditionally-aged college student? He’s graduating this month with his bachelor’s degree and described the food he received as being “pivotal” to his success!

When you support the Food Bank, you’re not just feeding your neighbors–you are reducing their stress levels, improving their health and allowing them to better cope with whatever challenges they are facing.

Your ongoing kindness is reassuring our clients–both old and new–that even though we may be apart, they are not alone!

What’s best: Traditional or Virtual Food Drives?

December 8, 2020 By Jasmina Breen

Virtual fundraising has become our main priority thanks to the ease and effectiveness of online giving during socially-distanced times. However, we ARE still accepting traditional food drive donations and here’s why.

Traditional food drives are a good way to get kids involved.

Traditional food drives serve as a great way to nurture the next generation of hunger fighters. A hands-on approach allows kids to feel more connected to giving. It’s hard to explain conceptually to a 5-year old that you’re fighting hunger from behind a computer screen. However, the memory of collecting food and dropping donations off at the Food Bank can make a lasting impact on a child.

Traditional food drives provide variety to our clients.

We distribute the food received through traditional food drives with the help of our partner agencies. The clients really enjoy receiving different types of food than our bulk purchasing typically allows. More variety means a more diverse diet!

Our warehouses have implemented strict COVID safety protocols to ensure donated items are safe and sanitized before reaching our clients. Our volunteers are given thorough instructions on how to properly wipe down food items and are required to wear gloves at all times.

Reminder–when donating to a traditional food drive, refrain from including glass containers or homemade items.

During these pressing times, we appreciate your show of support in any form. Monetary donations and virtual food drives are especially impactful, but traditional food collections serve as a great alternative or additional way to get involved. Check out our Food Drive FAQ for further information.

Volunteers are Essential

December 7, 2020 By Rachel

Dear Rachel,

The Food Bank continues to be an essential service that will remain fully operational through the current shut-down to ensure everyone in our community has access to nutritious food.

We want to reassure you that the safety of our volunteers, staff and clients are our top priority. The Food Bank is following requirements from the CDC and local public health authorities that will allow us to continue operating as an essential service. Here are a few of the safety measures we’ve been implementing:

Mandatory face coverings at all food distributions and inside our facilities
Limiting the number volunteers for each shift and practicing social distancing
Increasing the already high standard of cleanliness in our facilities

With the need for our services skyrocketing, volunteers like you are essential to meeting the increased needs of the 270,000 people we are serving monthly. Our ability to continue providing food to the community at this level relies heavily on our volunteer support.

Our community food distributions and volunteer needs are not canceled but we understand if you would like to reschedule your upcoming volunteer shift. Please give us 48 hours notice if you are unable to volunteer so we have adequate coverage. Changes can be made here on your volunteer portal account foodbankccs.org/volunteer.

Sincerely,
Your Food Bank Family

5 Ways to fight hunger this holiday season

November 11, 2020 By Jasmina Breen

When many of us think about the holidays, we envision feasts, family and fun times! However, for the 270,000 of our neighbors grappling with hunger, the oncoming holidays deliver a much different mood. Fortunately, there are simple ways each of us—including kids—can lift up members of our community who are struggling. In addition to monetary giving, here are five other ways you can help out during the holidays:

1) Collect and Countdown with Holiday Calendars!
Get the whole family involved with our special holiday-themed donation calendars featuring a reverse advent Christmas downloadable calendar or our 8-Days of Giving Hanukkah downloadable calendar.

8 Days of Giving

These kid-friendly countdowns are the perfect opportunity to teach the younger generation about the issue of hunger in our community. Simply collect the shelf-stable food indicated each day, add it to a donation box and drop the food off at the Food Bank once completed!

2) Start a Virtual Food Drive
In lieu of exchanging presents this year, ask friends and family to contribute to a Virtual Food Drive. Launch your own fundraiser with just a few clicks at foodbankccs.org/virtualfooddrive. Thanks to our bulk buying power, your funds go further—every $1 donated provides enough food for 2 meals for families in need.

3) Shop for the Cause (at Amazon, Grocery Stores, Crate & Barrel)
You can give back by gobbling down when you shop at Safeway, Sprouts, or Whole Foods this holiday season! Whole Foods and Safeway will be accepting donations at the register while Sprouts will have $10 bags of pre-packed groceries for purchase at checkout, which will be donated directly to the Food Bank.

Combine your holiday shopping and hunger fighting with the click of a button when you shop online through AmazonSmile. Simply log in through smile.amazon.com and select the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano from the list of charitable partners. The Amazon Foundation will donate 0.5% of your purchase price on eligible products to the Food Bank.

If shopping at Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek, you can swing by Crate & Barrel and donate to the Food Bank at checkout.

4) Trot Together
Some traditions never go out of style. Forma Gym’s Annual Turkey Trot is back for its 28th year, and in true 2020 fashion—it’s gone VIRTUAL! Register online and choose from several events including a 5k and 10k Run/Walk, Kids Fun Run, and 26.2 Run/Ride. Participants will receive goodies like an official race shirt, bib and sticker to rock during the run. Get your friends involved and make it a team affair! Proceeds from registration fees benefit the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.

5) Volunteer!
Especially during the hectic holiday season, the Food Bank relies on extra help from incredible volunteers to meet the need in our community. Choose from a variety of shifts and donate your time by helping us sort, package or distribute food at one of our warehouses or distribution sites. Visit foodbankccs.org/volunteer for information about upcoming opportunities.

What makes this time of year so special is the spirit of interconnectedness we experience amongst our families, dear friends and neighbors. We can preserve the spirit of magic and giving when we come together to lift up those in need!

We need volunteers!

November 11, 2020 By Jasmina Breen

There is no denying the holidays will look different this year.

Volunteering can be a wonderful way to restore hope for ourselves and for others. At a time when much of what is happening in the world feels outside of our control, we can lean in to the small acts that make a big difference.

We rely on the support of more than 1,000 dedicated volunteers each month to sustain the fight against hunger. The gifts born from acts of service are priceless, just ask Maggie Petersen, who is one of the Food Bank’s loyal volunteers.

“If you are thinking about volunteering somewhere, and the issue of hunger touches your heart, consider the Food Bank. This is a place where it truly does take a village of volunteers and staff working together everyday to address food insecurity. There are a variety of volunteer opportunities.”

Maggie joined the Food Bank’s “Wednesday Regulars” in 2006 and now performs several functions, including an ongoing role on the “Boxing Team” and Tuesday stints dedicated to sorting and packaging donated baby food.

Maggie chooses to donate her time to the Food Bank because the mission appeals to her and the work is rewarding. “There is so much food insecurity in the communities we serve. I feel good knowing that our efforts directly affect people’s quality of life. I’ve met some really neat people, and enjoy interacting with my fellow volunteers and Food Bank staff. Plus, for me, it’s fun!”

She and other volunteers spend each shift packaging anywhere between 400-1,200 boxes. “The food that goes into these boxes is purchased by the Food Bank, generally weighs about 30 pounds each, and contains staples such as cereal, canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, tomato products, pasta, beans, etc.,” explains Maggie.

COVID-19 has caused a dramatic spike in demand, with the number of individuals we serve each month skyrocketing from 178,000 to 270,000. That’s why we need volunteers now more than ever. If you’re looking for a way to help heal your community, fill time, and feed families this holiday season, visit foodbankccs.org/volunteer for a breakdown of available opportunities and to learn about our COVID-19 Volunteer Safety Protocols.

Registration is required; you can sign up for one shift or become a regular volunteer. No training is necessary, just a kind heart and giving spirit!

Community Produce Program Goes Mobile

October 10, 2020 By Jasmina Breen

As part of our COVID-19 response efforts, we’re now giving away boxes of shelf-stable food at 25 of our Community Produce Program distributions. This program normally focuses on fresh produce, but supplemental boxes have been added temporarily in an effort to address the pandemic’s impact on struggling families.

Of these 25 sites, eight have been converted to twice-monthly drive-thru distributions. The pandemic, heatwaves and poor air quality have made leaving home more difficult, but the need for food still exists. Our drive-thru pop-ups make delivering food to our neighbors in need simpler and safer than ever!

Anyone needing assistance can drive up to any of our eight mobile sites throughout the Bay Area to receive free groceries. Families receive 20-30lbs of mixed fruits and vegetables, a box of shelf-stable items (i.e. pasta, peanut butter, canned foods) and a box of fresh foods (i.e. milk, cheese, eggs).

The food boxes were incorporated in October and include food supplied by the USDA as part of the government’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. The USDA purchases over $300 million per month of nutritious items directly from farmers. The boxes are then dispatched to food banks and other nonprofit aid organizations for dispersal. The emergency response program supports farmers while also helping address the growing need for food in our communities.

Participants have expressed their gratitude for the ability to receive much-needed support without ever leaving the safety of their car. Thanks to this new format and the work of our incredible volunteers, we are successfully serving 60% more families within a one-hour window!

Check for upcoming program dates and times at foodbankccs.org/getfood.

Partner agencies shower blessings in a crisis

October 9, 2020 By Rachel

Above: Anna is grateful for the food she receives from our partner agency, Shower of Blessings.

For 45 years our partner agencies have been fighting hunger alongside us with a common goal of nourishing our neighbors in need.

In early March, with COVID-19 spreading and businesses closing, we quickly realized the Food Bank would be called upon to meet a new and growing need. Our objective was safely scaling our operation in the face of many unpredictable and changing circumstances.

As first responders in this crisis, we needed all hands on deck. Leveraging our existing network of 240 nonprofit partners to distribute additional emergency food boxes and produce quickly became a top priority. Shower of Blessings in Antioch is one of those partners who stepped up during this very chaotic time. Their pantry has doubled the number of people they are serving. They now serve 100-200 families during the three days a week they are open.

Kindness and gratitude radiate from everyone at the agency and even a mask can’t hide Pastor Sylva’s smile as he shares how Shower of Blessings has been able help. “It is wonderful that we are here and the Food Bank is here to serve the community.” Sylva points out, “Sometimes we come across people who don’t appear to need help, when really they are living in their car.”

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. We don’t look down until we can pick you up. This can happen to anyone.” -Pastor Sylva

When asked how they are meeting the increased need, Pastor Sylva credits dedicated volunteers–many who came from the line–and the partnership with the Food Bank. Every week volunteers from the organization pick up food at an agency distribution which includes produce and emergency food boxes. Other volunteers safely conduct prearranged grocery recovery pickups from retailers like Costco, Target and Safeway, saving the perfectly edible food from being discarded.

The group thoughtfully assembles food boxes with a variety of produce and meat, so families can make complete meals from the offerings. As a volunteer named Beverly tells us, “There is always enough food for everyone.” Paula, another volunteer, adds she recently was told, “This is a blessing for me today because we didn’t have any food and now I can feed my family.”

As we navigate this new COVID-19 world, we will continue to foster these critical partnerships to serve the most at-risk communities including families experiencing hunger for the first time.

Children Making Change

October 8, 2020 By Jasmina Breen

If you don’t think kids can make a difference, let us introduce you to Austin Brannan. The inspirational eleven-year-old from Alamo was motivated to take action after being introduced to a “21 Days of Kindness” program at school. The program was designed by the volunteer organization, KindSpring, to teach kids how daily acts of kindness have the potential to change the world.

After learning about the importance of kindness, Austin brainstormed small ways to make a big difference in his hometown. Austin sent KindSpring a message outlining his mission to spread kindness by purchasing groceries for the elderly. In return KindSpring sent back a $100 check to help launch his plan. Austin decided to put the dollars to good use by supporting the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.

In addition to raising funds via an online Virtual Food Drive, he also held a Food Drive in his neighborhood. Over 1,500 pounds of food and $1,000 later it’s safe to say Austin’s small act of kindness blossomed into a much larger deed. Austin and members of his community ended up contributing over 2,000 meals to their neighbors in need!

We are thankful to our supporters of all ages who are finding a way to make an impact on their community!

Kick-off your own kindness challenge by organizing a virtual food drive in your community (every dollar donated helps provide 2 meals!). Visit foodbankccs.org/virtualfooddrive to get started.

Stay Connected

Join our E-News list