Blog - Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano

Meet the Advocates-Keva

September 15, 2021 By Bob Rilling-Smith

CATEGORY: HUNGER FIGHTING

Continuing with profiles of our outstanding volunteer advocate team, this month we’d like to introduce 2020 Speaker Series graduate, Keva Dean! Keva was born and raised in the Washington Metropolitan Area and moved to the Bay Area in 1989. She has worked with numerous Bay Area ministries and community organizations as a social worker, family development worker, advocate, fundraiser/outreach, worship leader, bible teacher, seminar leader, prison ministry, counselor, and ministries of giving throughout her lifetime. We sat down with Keva for a quick Q&A, so you could get better acquainted with an integral member of our team.

What inspired you to become a hunger-fighting advocate?
I suppose my mom. She was always taking in kids from the neighborhood and giving them things that they needed…she just inspired me to help others.

What is something you wish others understood about hunger?
I think what people don’t understand about hunger is that when you’re hungry you can’t think of anything else. Hunger speaks louder than anything else in your life. And to prove that…people steal food because they are hungry; they do things out of their character because they are hungry.

Can you think of one hunger-related experience that sticks with you most?
The story is about my daughter; she was shamed for not being able to pay her school lunch bill, and had to go hungry because the school wouldn’t provide her food.

What’s the highlight of your time as an advocate so far?
Speaking to the community and the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors at the Measure X Committee as a resident speaker and Food Bank advocate.

CATEGORY: FREE-TIME

Favorite movie?
I really like Gladiator and Ever After…I’m a romantic, I think I’ve watched that more than anything. But I think my favorite movie is Iron Man 3.

What’s your Starbucks order?
Hibiscus Lemonade

Best book you read in the past year?
Jonah’s Gourd Vine by Zora Neal Hurston.

Favorite TV show?
King of the Hill! I’m a cartoon girl!

What do you like to do for fun?
I make everything I do fun! But, I love to teach, whether it’s music or bible study.

Favorite vacation spot?
I just cannot get Barbados out of my head!

Coffee or Tea?
Tea

Kindle or paperback?
Paperback

Geo: Hunger Action Month

September 1, 2021 By Ian Magnuson

Honestly, I felt a little shame. It was hard waiting in line for an hour to get food. But within one or two times of visiting, I realized no one is here to judge.

Since he was a kid, Geo has loved sharing food. “I’ve always known one of my languages (of love) was giving food to others. If you met me in high school, I would have a case of cupcakes because I made too many and wanted to give them out.”

Geo grew up in Vallejo where his family struggled financially. “We lived in a house with a total of 13 people. There were times where we needed to go somewhere to get a little assistance. I didn’t fully understand it when I was a kid.”

While attending college, Geo had to also work full time to support himself, but it wasn’t enough. “That was when I thought, “I do need help. I need help financially. I need help getting the food I need.” So, he sought out help.

Through his professors, he learned about the college pantry. “It took a few announcements for me to even consider going there. Honestly, I felt a little shame. It was hard waiting in line for an hour to get food. But within one or two times of visiting, I realized no one is here to judge. Those people waiting in line that I was talking with are here for the exact same thing. Other classmates in my courses, they need the exact same type of help. And I got over that shame and ended up going there and getting food from there the entire two years I was at San Jose State.”

“It was such a relief to know; one, there is fresh food to eat in my pantry, and two, it gave me a stability in my mind that I didn’t have to sacrifice something else in my life just to know where my food is coming from.”

Geo is the Food Bank’s new Mobile Distribution Program Coordinator, and a big part of his job is to give out food.

“Whenever I put food in someone’s trunk, I always catch myself thanking them. We’re the ones giving food to them, but they are giving us the opportunity to help them… I like to think that out of all those hundreds of people, there are others that struggle with that shame that I once felt, and hopefully with these distributions, they feel that same sense of acceptance and same sense of comradery in the community to help others that are asking for help.”

Two months ago, Geo returned to Vallejo for his first food distribution in his new role. “After, I called my partner when I was still in the parking lot and told her, ‘Hey, I just finished serving a hundred families in Vallejo. This feels like a great job.’ She was so happy for me. She sees it, too, that this is one of my callings… Looking back on it, and my experiences in college, it made me realize there is no shame. There is no shame about using a service that is to help a community.”

Meet the Advocates–Jenny

August 18, 2021 By Bob Rilling-Smith

Say hello to Jenny! Over the next few months we will share the stories and backgrounds of the volunteer advocates who are so instrumental to our advocacy work.

This month we’d like to introduce our 2020 Speaker Series graduate, Jenny Berten! As a nurse and community health advocate and Food Bank volunteer advocate, she believes all college students should have healthy meals, which will help them succeed.

We sat down with Jenny for a quick Q&A, so you could get better acquainted with an integral member of our team.

CATEGORY: HUNGER FIGHTING

What inspired you to become a hunger-fighting advocate?

I initially joined because my daughter got involved. Since I’m an advocate for health, I really thought I could make a difference in advocating to end hunger too. I’m glad I did because I ended up loving it!

What is one aspect about hunger that you wish was better known by others?

Access to CalFresh for college students. I really hope that all students who qualify for CalFresh are able to access the program. I have actually called LaLisha Norton, the Food Bank’s CalFresh outreach program manager to order posters to post in our college clinic rooms to raise CalFresh awareness among students.

Can you think of one experience that sticks most with you?

We went into Berkeley with our 10,000 lunches program from Moraga and delivered 400 lunches to people who are unhoused, and I thought, “wow, that is going to make such a difference,” but really—given the size of the encampments—you realize how small the impact is. However, it really fueled my interest to learn more about hunger efficacy and how to speak to our legislators on behalf of hunger.

What’s the highlight of your time as an advocate so far?

Formulating the “why” in the Speaker Series program and presenting to Senator Glazer was very humbling and empowering. Further, understanding how legislation is drafted and how to create an “ask” was phenomenal because we all have that power to have that voice to make a difference. Click here to see Jenny’s speech to Senator Glazer

Given your background in health, how has the pandemic impacted the nutrition of college students? And what are some policies that have helped?

For low-income families, job-loss has had a huge impact on families’ ability to pay for food. Many students have had the dilemma of choosing between paying rent and paying for food, which has led to food insecurity. That is why government programs to help augment or replace people’s incomes are so crucial so people don’t have to make these difficult choices. Raising awareness for programs like food banks is important, too.

CATEGORY: FREE-TIME

Favorite movie?
La La Land.

What’s your Starbucks order?
Simple latte.

Best book you read in the past year?
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Favorite TV show?
Never Have I Ever.

Preferred pastime?
Spend time with friends, travel to Hawaii and walk my golden retriever

High School Helpers

August 11, 2021 By Jasmina Breen

Vacaville High student Akim Torres first got involved with the Food Bank in 2019 when he was inducted into the San Francisco Giants Community Fund’s Junior Giants Scholarship Program.

Akim played baseball with the Junior Giants until he aged out of the league; at that point, he switched over to coaching younger kids and became involved as a scholar. To receive a $5,000 scholarship, Akim has to maintain a passing GPA and volunteer a minimum of 30 hours per year in the community. After striking out in search of volunteer programs open to minors, Akim, along with his mom, Maria, scored big with the discovery of the Food Bank’s consistent volunteer opportunities.

Akim plans to use the scholarship to pay for medical school and one day become a surgeon, transitioning from serving the community to saving lives!

Akim’s favorite part of volunteering has been helping at the Senior Food Program at Epiphany Episcopal Church in Vacaville, thanks to a lively group of regular volunteers that make volunteering fun.

As a player, coach and volunteer, Akim has come to learn you’re only as great as your team! We welcome passionate students needing to complete community service requirements for graduation, scholarship applications or simply out of a desire to be of service. If you are ready to join OUR team, sign up today at foodbankccs.org/volunteer; weekend and night shifts are available.

The art of giving

August 11, 2021 By Jenny

The Food Bank is honored to be included in this new youth-made mural outside Lifelong William Jenkins Health Center!

Richmond’s Lifelong William Jenkins Health Center is one of our nonprofit partners and a recent recipient of a Food Bank agency enhancement grant. Read this heartfelt letter from Alma, their pantry manager, to learn about the impact you make when you support the Food Bank:

Thank you so much for the enhancement grant for our agency, Lifelong William Jenkins Health Center. We are truly grateful for the support your staff has provided to us before and during the pandemic. The families in our community are truly thankful and appreciative of all the food provided on a weekly basis. Many of our families in the community of Richmond/San Pablo had lost their jobs during this pandemic and food insecurity became more of an issue. Your staff, organization, and donors gave us a sense of hope in this pandemic. If it wasn’t for you all, we would not have been able to serve families the way we did and have.

In honor and tribute to all the staff from the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, our high school student interns and I have added your organization to our city mural in Richmond (displayed in our clinic parking lot 150 Harbour Way, Richmond, CA 94801). We have been working on it for the past 1.5 years from designing to executing it. This is our way to say thank you for being a great asset in our community and for caring.

Amy, Theresa, Petrus, Octavia, Erin, Paco, James, and many others have been very helpful with resources for our families and agencies. The exceptional execution of weekly food distributions for all agencies is always fair and accessible. We also value the training that your staff has provided for the agencies. It allows us all to work together to address and mutually provide aid for families in dire need.

Sincerely,
Alma Andrade
Pantry Manager
Lifelong William Jenkins Health Center

The Food Bank Welcomes, Bob Rilling-Smith!

July 22, 2021 By Guest

The Food Bank Welcomes, Bob Rilling-Smith!

Please join us in welcoming our new Legislative Advocacy Associate, Bob Rilling-Smith, to the Food Bank family. Bob holds a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University and a master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University. He brings over seven years of experience in public policy and advocacy in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors.

We sat down with Bob for a quick Q&A session, so you could get acquainted with the newest member of the Food Bank’s advocacy team.

CATEGORY: WORK-RELATED

What excites you the most about working for the Food Bank?

I had the honor of working on a political campaign in 2020, and being able to hear people’s stories and experiences was incredibly motivating. Now at the Food Bank, I am lucky to have a similar experience with the added benefit of pursuing specific policies that have a tangible, real impact on our community members’ lives. It’s very exciting!

What’s the best part of your job?

This one is easy! I love working together with members of our community in pursuit of ending hunger; the environment gives me so much energy every single day!

Have there been any surprises so far?

Yes! I am continually amazed by not only the scope and scale of the Food Bank, but also the efficiency as well. I come from the private sector, and I can tell you, the private sector could stand to learn a lot from how the Food Bank operates so efficiently.

CATEGORY: OFF-THE-CLOCK

Favorite movie?

A tough one, either The Terminator or Terminator 2—I go back and forth depending on which one I’ve seen last! Also, anything with Tom Cruise!

What’s on your podcast list?

This is a snowballing list…My list right now: “Morning Joe,” “The Ezra Klein Show,” “Pod Save America,” “Hell & High Water with John Heilemann,” “The Bulwark with Charlie Sykes” and “Hacks on Tap”.

What’s the best book you read in the past year?

“Black Reconstruction in America” by W.E.B. Du Bois.

What is your favorite TV show?

Of all-time? The West Wing. My favorite show that’s currently running is Billions on Showtime.

What do you do for fun?

I’m from Cleveland, OH and I love baseball so you can usually catch me watching the Indians during the summer. I also enjoy hiking and losing to my wife in tennis!

Favorite vacation spot?

Ixtapa, Mexico—the beach town where my wife and I were married.

CATEGORY: THE SPEED ROUND

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee in the morning, decaf tea in the afternoon.

Kindle or paperback?

Kindle.

People Magazine or The Economist?

The Economist.

You can contact Bob at [email protected] or 925-791-1965.

Celebrating Wins for Fight Against Hunger in CA State Budget!

July 15, 2021 By Cassidie Bates

Thanks to the power of our collective advocacy, policy partnerships and drive to end hunger, we are witnessing historic investments in the state’s food bank system, food assistance programs, and the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. Not only are the investments themselves substantial, this funding further expresses the values of our state: that ending hunger for all Californians is a top priority!

To add to the celebration, every budget request that our food bank engaged with this year landed in the final California budget, showing the efficacy and necessity of our larger advocacy network. The anti-hunger priorities are historic for another reason: California will be the FIRST STATE in the nation to implement Universal School Meals (Skinner SB 364), which will provide free breakfast and lunch to ALL K-12 California students regardless of family income or immigration status.

The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano is fortunate to have community advocates deeply involved in our advocacy efforts. A focal point of our advocacy is to incorporate the voices of those in our community who have experienced food insecurity, and support them in effectively sharing their powerful stories with our organization, elected officials and our extended community. Our advocates have been instrumental this year in helping achieve our policy goals by bringing the qualitative aspect to our policy steering.

This success wouldn’t be possible without the support of our incredible community, which has shown up to fight hunger, advocate and educate in so many ways. It was not just our advocacy that made these funding investments possible; the long-standing engagement and support of our larger network paved the way for these historic outcomes.

Here are some highlights of the funds that will benefit our network, the Food Bankand food assistance programs:

$110 Million: a one-time investment to support food banks in purchasing food due to the increased need triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic
182 Million: one-time support for California food banks specifically in capacity and infrastructure,such as increased storage, refrigeration space, trucks for distribution, etc.
- The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano will also receive direct funding to expand and improve transportation logistics and volunteer services.
$32 Million: this is an investment in disaster resiliency for our state’s food banks. Food banks are emergency providers, and the last few years have shown that we need to be prepared for any emergency so we can respond to the best of our ability.
CalFresh:
- Simplified application for seniors/those experiencing disabilities
- Outreach for older adults
- College students: eligibility expansion and expanded enrollment

In celebration and gratitude,

Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Advocacy Team

With questions or comments please reach out to Cassidie Bates at 925-334-2766 or [email protected]

The “Yes, you CAN!” Summer Challenge is here!

June 9, 2021 By Jenny

We were recently inspired by a story about a quick-thinking mom who turned trips to the store with her two young children into a chance to give back. After repeatedly saying “no” to their requests (for seemingly everything in sight), she said “yes”—but there was a catch. She tasked them with picking out a can of food for their local food bank, and they enthusiastically accepted the mission!

The mom reported that subsequent shopping trips to the store with the kids have been enjoyable because they are busy focusing on selecting food for others to enjoy instead of asking for stuff for themselves. Her four-year-old would even enthusiastically explain the purpose of food banks to the cashiers. This isn’t only a parenting win, it’s a good way to fight hunger this summer and it’s the inspiration behind our #YesYouCan challenge.

This summer, we encourage you to say “Yes, you CAN” when grocery shopping with young kiddos and let them pick out items to donate from our most-needed food list for our food-insecure neighbors.

Tag us @foodbankccs with #YesYouCAN to encourage others families to join the challenge!

When we encourage kids to help others, we foster a compassionate generation.

Questions? Email us at [email protected].

Need help explaining how the Food Bank works to kids?

FOOD BANK INFOGRAPHIC

Why CalFresh Matters

May 6, 2021 By Jenny

Food Bank Senior Calfresh Outreach Coordinator Robert Gama will never forget the woman who gave him a grateful hug in the Food Bank lobby after he helped her sign up for CalFresh benefits. Robert, who has been helping people navigate the CalFresh application process for six years, recalls the memory:

“I could tell Sheila* had been crying. I took her application, told her the next steps and she seemed a lot calmer afterward. She got a quick approval because we turned in everything she was supposed to. A couple of weeks later, Sheila came in, and when she saw me, she was beaming! She was all smiles and told me, ‘I just need to tell you that I am really grateful to you because I honestly didn’t know how I was going to feed my kids. Once I got approved, it was a weight off my shoulders.’ And since it was pre-COVID, she asked me if she could give me a hug; she was super grateful!”

CalFresh is California’s version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and it was created to do the heavy lifting when it comes to fighting hunger in our communities. It provides nutrition benefits to assist food-insecure families with stretching their food budgets and helping them afford healthy food. The program offers working families the flexibility they need to get groceries before or after work and allows for a more extensive selection of nutrition than food banks can provide.

The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano advocates and performs outreach for CalFresh because we see how it transforms lives firsthand. Recent data shows that CalFresh keeps over 800,000 people per year from falling below the poverty line.

Experts estimate that 30% of qualifying households are not enrolled in CalFresh even though it is the single most effective hunger-fighting tool available in California. The Food Bank educates the public and dispels myths because we know the average monthly benefit of $166 can be the difference between eating and skipping meals.

Potential applicants are often surprised to learn that having children is not a requirement to qualify; applying doesn’t take away benefits from others; owning a car or home doesn’t automatically disqualify them, and (now) it’s okay to be on SSI. It’s also crucial for us to break down stigmas, so everyone gets the benefits they deserve. For example, did you know most of the people on CalFresh are from working families?

To help with what can be an overwhelming process, the Food Bank’s trained bilingual staff and volunteers help applicants assemble the documents they need, explain what to expect after they submit their application and assist them through the appeal process, if necessary.

Last year the Food Bank helped over 1000 people apply for and receive their benefits. But for Robert and the rest of the CalFresh Outreach Team, it’s not about the number of applications approved—it’s about improving lives and bringing some relief to people who need it most.

“The people we serve are often going through so much. It brings me a lot of joy to let them know about CalFresh because when they no longer have to worry about having enough to eat, it helps them better cope with their other struggles,” Robert shared.

May is CalFresh Awareness Month, but the Food Bank, with the help of our hunger-fighting community partners, educates neighbors about this impactful program year-round. Not only does CalFresh have the power to change the trajectory of someone’s life—like Sheila’s—it strengthens communities.

*Name changed to protect privacy

Meet our new Communications Director

April 6, 2021 By Jenny

We are excited to introduce our new Communications Director, Diana Brennan, who joined the Food Bank family in February. Diana brings with her more than 20 years of experience in communications and marketing at Sonoma Raceway, so it makes sense that she’s done an amazing job at “getting up to speed.”

We sat down with Diana and conducted a little Q&A session, so you all could get acquainted with the newest member of the Food Bank’s leadership team.

CATEGORY: WORK-RELATED

Have there been any surprises so far?
I’m simply blown away by the size and scope of the Food Bank’s work. I’ve been a long-time donor, but I really had no idea how many different ways they serve the community every day.

What’s the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is doing something I love professionally (communications and public relations) and applying it to support a cause and organization that I believe in personally – ending hunger.

What are you looking forward to?
I’m most excited to get more hands-on experience with all the Food Bank does. I’ll be there for our first in-person fundraiser since 2019, the Nourish Gala Drive-in to End Hunger, and I can’t wait to get out to visit more of our food distribution sites and partner agencies to get to know the people we serve!

CATEGORY: OFF-THE-CLOCK

Do you have any guilty pleasures?
I’m a sucker for Taylor Swift’s two newest albums.

What’s on your podcast playlist?
I absolutely love podcasts! I always have a handful ready to listen to on a walk or long drive. My go-to’s are “This American Life,” “Terrible, Thanks for Asking” and any of the serial-format true crime stories.

What is your must-see TV?
Binging “The Great British Bake-Off” got me through the early months of the pandemic.

What do you do for fun?
I love walking, yoga and barre classes for fitness and hiking with my husband and son. I’ve also become an avid ice hockey mom since my son started playing a few years ago (go Vacaville Jets!).

CATEGORY: THE SPEED ROUND

Bakery or ice-cream parlor? Ice cream

Coffee or tea? Both most days

Books or Audible? Books

Camping or glamping? Glamping

Thanks for taking the time to get to know Diana a bit; she can be reached at [email protected].

The Food Bank Welcomes, Bob Rilling-Smith!

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