STORIES

FOOD BANK HEROES SHARE THEIR STORIES

Loading

“COVID HAS MAGNIFIED THE EXISTING HEALTH AND INCOME DISPARITIES IN THE COMMUNITY.”

LUCIA RUIZ, PROGRAM COORDINATOR

“Going out to visit our partners has always been a highlight of this job for me. I find it inspiring to see the amazing work our partners do in the community and have missed connecting with these partners and participants as I did before COVID.”

Thinking about the impact it has had on her work and the community she serves, Lucia is flooded. “COVID has magnified the existing health and income disparities in the community I support. This has been a devastating blow, which often causes me to feel both sadness and anger.”

But despite the challenges, “It has been inspiring to see community organizations and the Food Bank rise up to support during this difficult time. I am humbled and grateful for the amazing work being done to support those most impacted by the effects of COVID.”

CODY JANG, SENIOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

“I WAS AT WORK WHEN NEWS OF THE PANDEMIC CAME IN. WITHIN HOURS WE HAD LOST CLOSE TO 3,000 VOLUNTEER RESERVATIONS.”

“I was at work when news of the pandemic came in. Within hours we had lost close to 3,000 volunteer reservations. We were worried about how we would complete the work without volunteers,” said Cody. “We worked with county staff, job training programs, volunteers, and everyone in between. We launched new volunteer software. We built a tent, took it down, and opened a new warehouse. We launched almost 30 pantries. We doubled our distribution and volunteers. And it’s been exhausting. But we keep bouncing back.”

“We know something is going to go sideways every week. We don’t know what it is, but we know it’s going to happen. It’s disconcerting to anticipate but not be able to plan, we’re just riding the wave,” he said. “I’m proud of us!”

“Personally, I have to remind myself how good I have it – I have a job and my health. I lost my job during the previous crash and that was awful. So, I know the hurt people are experiencing and working to give other people some comfort is one of the things I rely on. I started running much more, and that exercise has been really helpful. Still, this has been a high stress year for what seems like the entire year.”

“THERE IS SOMETHING INSIDE ME THAT WANTS TO HELP OTHERS. THE FOOD BANK OF EL DORADO COUNTY IS A VEHICLE TO HELP THOSE THAT STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET. TOGETHER WITH THE COMMUNITY I MAKE A DIFFERENCE RIGHT HERE IN MY OWN BACKYARD EVERY SINGLE DAY! THIS GIVES ME SOMETHING I CAN'T FIND ANYWHERE ELSE.”

MIKE SPROULL, FOOD DUDE

JENNA SPROULL, GENERAL MANAGER

“WORKING AT THE FOOD BANK IS IMPORTANT TO ME BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN THE FACES IN NEED. IT'S NOT WHAT EVERYONE THINKS, IT'S NOT JUST HOMELESS YOU SEE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT'S MOMS AND DADS THAT NEED TO MAKE THE DECISION WHETHER TO PAY THE POWER BILL OR BUY FOOD. THERE ARE KIDS AT SCHOOL THAT GO WITHOUT, OR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES THAT SERVE OR HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY. MY JOB IS NOT A "JOB", THIS IS WHAT I LOVE TO DO.”

DAVID MORLA, WAREHOUSE STAFF

“WORKING AT THE FOOD BANK IS IMPORTANT TO ME BECAUSE GROWING UP MY FAMILY RECEIVED HELP FROM FOOD BANKS SO I KNOW FIRST HAND HOW MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE IT REALLY MAKES AND I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A PASSION TO HELP OTHERS AND WORKING HERE GIVES ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT AND MORE.”

Colby-D-Onfrio-CalFresh-Nutrition-Education-Coordinator

COLBY D’ONFRIO, NUTRITION EDUCATION COORDINATOR

“HERE IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY, WE HAVE 10 FOOD DESERTS AND THAT’S WHY I LIKE TO GO OUT WITH OUR MOBILE PRODUCE PANTRY TO DELIVER FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES TO THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES.”

Everyone To The Table is a statewide public engagement campaign built to raise awareness of the ongoing hunger crisis in California and provide ways that everyone can be a part of the solution. The campaign features the dedicated food bank staff and volunteers – who work every day to feed our communities. Everyone to The Table is fueled by the California Association of Food Banks (CAFB), California’s leading anti-hunger nonprofit organization that works alongside its 41 member food banks and on behalf of hungry Californians.
For more info, visit https://www.cafoodbanks.org/contact-us

STORIES LEARN ACT GIVE

Food Bank Login

STORIES

FOOD BANK HEROES SHARE THEIR STORIES

CONNECT WITH US:

#EveryoneToTheTable #EndHungerCA