Celebrating 10 Years of Health & Nutrition

We move. We shake. We innovate. Five days a week at nine different

locations across Sonoma County, our Megan Furth Harvest Pantry

program is combatting hunger, childhood anemia and obesity

through produce specific food distributions coupled with ZUMBA

workouts, walking groups, and health and nutrition lessons focused

on eating more fruits and vegetables.

In the beginning we were approached by Sister Michaela Rock,

Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Sister Michaela is a

mover and shaker in her own right, “I like to get things going,

build momentum, make sure there is a plan for success, and move

on,” which is exactly what she did. Sister Michaela along with

community partners identified that the rate of childhood anemia was

exceptionally high in Sonoma County and that something had to be

done.

In stepped the REFB. We provided a conceptual program

description, complete with distribution model, asset and staff needs,

and budget. With the help of Sister Michaela and support from the

Furth Foundation, we moved quickly to turn this idea into a program.

With the knowledge that fresh produce, rich in vitamin C, helps the

body absorb iron, we have continuously developed nutrition lessons

to increase the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables for low-

income children and their families.

Recently Bryanna Somborski, a U.C. Berkley graduate student-intern,

who created mini-lessons for the program. Her first, titled, “Fun with

Fruits and Veggies” is full of ideas to help parents introduce fruits

and vegetables to their children. “It can take from 3 to 15 exposures

before a child might even try a new fruit or veggie. Parents who have

negative reactions to fruits and vegetables are setting their children

up to mimic their behavior.”

It is of no surprise that obesity and poverty run parallel through low-

income communities.

Pound for pound, whole fruits and vegetables cost nearly 15 times more than processed foods of the equivalent weight. By providing access to healthy food, we are breaking down barriers and helping families provide the nutrition their children need to grow strong and be healthy.

REDWOOD EMPIRE FOOD BANK FALL 2014

1

1 10 Years Celebration

2 Neighbors Caring For Neighbors / Advocating for a Hunger-Free Sonoma County

3 Winter Food & Funds Drive

4 By The Numbers

5 Hunger-Free Summer

6 Breaking Barriers / Working Together

the redwood empire food bank

provides food in Sonoma County and

for hunger relief organizations in Lake,

Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte

Counties. The REFB is a member of Feeding

America and a member of California

Association of Food Banks.

In This Issue...

The end of the school year often means the end of free or

reduced-priced school lunches for over 30,000 Sonoma

County children. The Redwood Empire Food Bank is proud

to share that, after 11 years, the ConAgra Foods Foundation

Hunger-Free Summer Program concluded another successful

summer season by serving 85,863 meals that were both tasty

and nutritious.

Partnering with both the Healdsburg Unified School’s kitchen

and the Santa Rosa City School’s central kitchen, the REFB

served healthy lunches, made from fresh ingredients sourced

locally, at 47 different sites in 10 different towns. The Summer

Lunch Program isn’t just about offering a “free lunch”. The

program works with partnering agencies and volunteers

to include physical activity, educational and nutritional

components at many of the distribution sites.

“Our partnerships with the Santa Rosa City School and

Healdsburg Unified School kitchens are invaluable. The school

kitchens prepare all of the meals and in some cases coordinate

drivers to deliver the lunches to the sites. We are so grateful to

have this amazing collaboration working to feed these children

throughout the summer months” shared REFB Program

Manager Itzul Gutierrez. “This year we put our heads together

to come up with a menu that was appropriate, intriguing and

delicious for the kids. We found that the kids were a lot more

receptive to eating fruits and vegetables cut up into bite size

pieces.”

Science and eco-system based learning, added a fresh

component to the curriculum. In addition to popular activities

on growing and making your own food, kids participated in

hands-on activities about fat content in milk, created super-

sized science bubbles and learned about Sonoma County’s

mountain lions while decorating lion masks. Kids also enjoyed

physical activities like jumping rope and hula hooping.

Program highlights included presentations by the Marin/

It’s hard to make a 60,000 square foot facility feel abuzz,

but on September 10th – United Way’s 24th Annual Day of

Caring – that’s exactly how the Redwood Empire Food Bank

(REFB) felt. Over 110 individuals from various employers came

together to make a collective impact, and their energy could

be felt throughout the facility. In total, 550 hours were spent

volunteering that day and the manpower was put to good use.

Thanks to the hardworking volunteers:

• 4,800 loaves of bread were checked for quality, sorted

and packed into bins for distribution.

• 7,400 bags of carrots, apples and pears were packed

into “family sized” bags for our Farm to Family and

Back Pack programs.

At the end of this energetic day, these 110 volunteers positively

impacted over 12,000 households in our community, by helping

to prepare food for distribution.

“Hunger-Free Summer” Engages Our Community

Working Together to Make a Difference

(“Needed” continued on page 6)

NewsfeedThe

65

The Megan Furth Harvest Pantry is bringing

about healthy changes in the lives of people

who struggle to provide ample nutrition to

their children.

While we relish the past ten years of

success, we look forward to the next ten

years of contributing to the health of our

community.

22.4% Childhood iron deficiency anemia among low-income people in Sonoma County in has dropped from 22.4% at the beginning of the program (2004) to 16.1% in 2014.

16.1%

Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control, City

of Santa Rosa Creek Stewardship Program,

the Bookmobile and the very entertaining

Imaginist Theatre. The kids enjoyed learning

about good and bad pests, wildlife habitat

and environmental stewardship.

Not only were we able to provide thousands

of nutritious lunches to kids that would

otherwise go without, we found that the

distribution locations became a great

gathering place for the community; parents,

siblings, friends and neighbors accompanied

the children. At Bayer Farms, an adult meal

component was piloted with over 280

meals served to adults on Fridays so that

the whole family could enjoy a nutritious

lunch together. On Tuesdays bags of fresh

produce were on hand at two of the summer

lunch park sites. In total, 781 bags of produce

that include 4 – 5 different varieties of fruits

and vegetables were distributed to families.

All in all it was a great summer building

community, strengthening relationships and

providing children with the vital nutrition

they need to return to school healthy and

ready to learn.

Safety for Seniors (continued from page 5)

• Alliance Property Management

• City of Santa Rosa

• Codding Enterprises

• County of Sonoma

• Medtronic

• Sonic.net

• Sonoma Raceway

• Umpqua Bank

Thanks to these great businesses for participating!

Legacy Circle members are a dedicated group of Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB) supporters who have

committed to helping end hunger today and for years to come. By including the REFB in your legacy plan, you can

ensure that those facing hunger in the future have a safety net to help them through tough times.

The generous gifts made each year through wills are an invaluable resource and we’d love to know if you are

considering including the REFB in your plan. By knowing that we’re included, we can ensure that your wishes are

honored and that your intended legacy lives on through the REFB.

Your gifts turn hope into action. For more information on planned giving, please contact Hillary Jarcik, Development

Officer at (707) 523-7902 ext. 133 or email Hillary at hjarcik@refb.org.Leavin

g Y

ou

r M

ark

Volunteers show their collective impact during United Way’s Day of Caring.

Jeanne and her service dog Bailey leaving the CSFP distribution with her monthly food box.

Alfonso Alarcon, REFB Program Coordinator, leads a nutrition lesson at a local Harvest Pantry site.

Safety Net for Seniors

Each month, REFB volunteers pack nearly

1,500 boxes full of canned fruits and

vegetables, protein items, fresh produce

and other staple food items. The destination

of these food boxes? The kitchen tables of

low-income seniors who participate in the

Commodity Supplemental Food Program

(CFSP). “Seniors who struggle to make ends

meet have few chances to improve their

situation,” says REFB Executive Director

David Goodman. With little ability to earn

more income, receiving a monthly 30-pound

box of healthy, non-perishable foods plus

fresh and nutritious produce is a lifeline.

Breaking Down Barriers

As food bankers, we often think

about the barriers that our neighbors

experience when trying to navigate

the application and approval process

for CalFresh (formerly Food Stamps).

More than 65,000 low-income

people in Sonoma County qualify for

CalFresh assistance. However, many

eligible people are not receiving those

benefits. Why is there such a lack of

participation in a benefits program

that provides such vital assistance to

families struggling to put healthy food

on the table?

Stigma. Misinformation. Complicated

enrollment. Many barriers contribute to

low CalFresh participation.

We leave $45.3 million dollars in federally funded nutrition benefits on the table. These unused benefits equate to $81.2 million dollars in potential, additional economic activity for our county.

In January of 2015, in partnership with

the county, we will open the doors

to a satellite assistance office here

at the REFB. Imagine a place where

your neighbors can get help with

navigating the application process,

receive emergency food, and find out

about hunger relief programs and food

distributions in their neighborhoods.

Next door they can shop for healthy,

affordable and convenient food using

CalFresh and WIC benefits or cash at

our Value Market.

We will have two full-time employees

prescreening and assisting in navigation

of the application and submission

process.

REFB staff is working with the Human

Services Department of Sonoma

County to increase participation in

CalFresh. Other food banks across the

state, including the Alameda County

Community Food Bank, have seen

great success, including a 17% increase

in enrollment and a high percentage

rate of first time applicant approvals.

We know that implementing programs,

policies and procedures designed to

help low-income people complete

CalFresh applications is a critical

strategy in ending hunger. Our goal is to

improve the lives of low-income people

who are in need of food assistance.

Your input is welcomed and needed

to help make the REFB the best it can

be. Send your comments, suggestions

and questions to info@refb.org or mail

them directly to the REFB.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

This lifeline, provided by the REFB, has proven to be vital for

Jeanne. As her service dog Bailey leads her and her elderly

mother through a maze of parked cars to the long line of

people waiting to get food, you can feel the necessity of this

program. Jeanne never expected to need help with basics like

food, but when she suddenly lost her vision a few years ago,

it was the REFB that she turned to for food when money was

tight. Now, she and Bailey make their way to St. Peter’s Catholic

Church each month to collect her food box. And while she never

thought she would be in this situation, she says she is grateful

for the REFB and the monthly food she receives.

The REFB operates CSFP distributions at 50 sites throughout

Sonoma County, reaching nearly 1,500 seniors each month.

These seniors live on tight fixed incomes, making it hard to

cover basic life needs, such as food. This program ensures

participants receive healthy produce as well as shelf-stable

food items to help get them through the month.

432

• Go to www.refb.org and click on “Host a

Drive”

• Complete the online registration form,

rally your family and friends, and start

making a difference!

Save the Date

The Hunger Games Food & Funds Drive

(October 1 – November 5)

Join the fight against hunger! Donate at

www.refb.org and enter to win 5 tickets to see The

Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1.

Schulz Museum: A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

(Saturday, November 15)

Enjoy a rendition of Snoopy’s Thanksgiving meal

of toast, popcorn and jelly beans from the classic

television holiday special, along with hands-on crafts,

and other fun family activities! Bring 2 cans of food to

donate in exchange for 1 free child’s admission.

Thank You for Ending Hunger, Every Day

While many Food & Funds Drives happen during winter, we are grateful for those who host barrels all year long! Our

largest ongoing Food Drive hosts have donated the equivalent of 56,000 meals this year and counting! Thank you

to all of our ongoing Food Drive hosts for your continued support and efforts – you truly are helping to end hunger

every day!

29,000Wholefoods

1,500YMCA

11,000G&G Market

7,500Oliver’s Market

4,500CVS

3,000Grocery Outlet

Mealsprovided:

Summer Shout-outs!

NALC Food Drive: Stamp Out Hunger – 23,000 meals

The Artwork of John Lennon Exhibit – 14,000 meals

Sonoma County Fairgrounds:

Food Bank Fridays – 2,000 meals

Redwood Credit Union: Shred-A-Thon – 1,400 meals

“I donate because I believe that it is our responsibility to make sure our neighbors always have enough to eat.” - Jane Engdahl,

Special Events Coordinator | Sonoma County Fairgrounds

“We initiated the food drive at RCU’s annual Shred-A-Thon that draws over 1,200 people, because we know hunger is a real issue in our community.”

- Robin McKenzie, Senior Vice President

Marketing & Communications | Redwood Credit Union

This month I celebrate

20 years as a food

banker. During that

time, a great deal has

changed: personally,

p r o f e s s i o n a l l y ,

nationally, and globally.

On a personal note, I’m

20 years older, which

has been enough time to

see hunger in America

increase by more than

13 million people, now approaching an unimaginable

46 million (1:7). Professionally, the REFB has grown

from a grass roots hunger relief organization to a

formidable opponent against hunger – now helping

82,000 people every month who struggle to put food

on their tables.

Neighbors Caring for NeighborsLocal Philanthropy Leads to Local Change

Winter Food & Funds Drive Kicks Off November 1st

Sign up to host a Food & Funds Drive and help your neighbors in need. We make it easy! You

can create your own customized fundraising page and collect monetary donation and/or host

an orange barrel at your place of business, school, church or even your neighborhood to collect

food. Sign up online and start making a difference today!

• For every $10 donated, the REFB

is able to provide 20 healthy meals!

• Need help? Contact Dalton Wiley at

dwiley@refb.org or 707.523.7902 ext. 114.

The Redwood Empire Food Bank’s Community

Advocacy Committee (CAC) is a coalition of food

bank staff, volunteers, and agency representatives

passionate about making the issue of hunger a

priority on a local and national level. With a generous

grant from MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger,

the REFB is able to deepen our engagement in these

important issues. Over the last few months the CAC

has been busy organizing and participating in several

activities:

• “Super Pack Night” was a huge success this

year. The REFB welcomed city, county, state, and

Advocating for a Hunger-Free Sonoma County

Community Advocacy Committee members meet with Assembly

Member Chesbro in Sacramento during Hunger Action Day

(“Hunger-Free” continued on page 4)

By the Numbers

14,530,978

neighbors served monthly:

pounds of food distributed

s e r v i n g

p e o p l e / w e e k

of all food distributed is fresh produce

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

diabeteswellness

boxes

78,0002013

201482,000

373%growth this year

SUPPER PROGRAM

programs178 276

partner agencies

9,803

F a r m F r e s h produce p a n t r y

delivered monthly

Program statistics for the 2013-2014 fiscal year show the growing impact of our programs.Nationally, the partisan bickering has continued to

grow, with the well-being of low-income people often

used as cannon fodder or scapegoating for the societal

challenges we face. Globally, it’s become so complicated

that it’s difficult to figure out how we as individuals can

make a difference in the world.

Over the years, the only place I have witnessed real and sustained positive impacts is locally. The people who live in Sonoma County have continued to care for one another, regardless of the state of affairs in the larger arenas.

As I begin my next 20 years as a hunger relief worker,

I am hopeful that the pendulum of need will begin to

swing the other way, with more people living healthy

and productive lives. However, if my hopes are dashed,

I am comforted to know that people in our community

are in good hands, as the generosity and compassion

present here has always helped those in need.

Sincerely,

David Goodman

Executive Director

federal legislators to our facility to take a tour, learn

about hunger and then pack food boxes for our Senior

Security programs.

• In May, some of the Community Advocacy Committee

went to Hunger Action Day in Sacramento to lobby for

hunger relief policies. REFB representatives joined over

200 people from all over California, including California

Hunger Action Coalition and the California Association

of Food Banks, for an inspiring day of action.

• During the summer, California Assembly Member

Mariko Yamada volunteered at Alicia Park, passing out

lunches to kids as part of the REFB Summer Lunch

Program, sponsored by ConAgra Foods Foundation

Hunger Free Summer Program. She also handed out

senior Commodity Supplemental Food Program boxes

at the Middletown Senior Center, just one of the many

food distributions the REFB manages in Lake County.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

David Goodman

EDITOR Hillary Jarcik

CONTRIBUTORS Billy Bartz, Christy Gentry, David Goodman, Itzul Gutierrez, Hillary Jarcik, Jean Larson, Amy Schaner

DESIGN + PRODUCTION

The Engine Is Red

PRINTING O’Dell Printing

Jim Barnes | Sitzmann Morris & Lavis

Howard Daulton | Exchange Bank

Gary Edwards | Sage Marketing of Sonoma

Judy Farrell | University of San Francisco (Retired)

Barbara Graves | Sonoma County Health Services (Retired)

Brendan Kunkle | Abbey, Weitzenberg, Warren & Emery

Steven Maass | Oliver’s Market

Suzy Marzalek | Agilent Technologies (Retired)

Eric McHenry | City of Santa Rosa

Debbie Meekins | First Community Bank

Tad Shapiro | Shapiro, Galvan, Shapiro & Moran

Marie Scherf | Burr Pilger Mayer, Inc.

Barbara Spangler | Clinical Research Manager (Retired)

Robin Wendler | ZFA Structural Engineers

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT

David Guhin City of Santa Rosa

VICE PRESIDENT

Suzanne Smith Sonoma County Transportation Authority

TREASURER

Rebecca La Londe

Kaiser Permanente

SECRETARY

Jon Griffith Allstate Mortgage Co.

O U R M I S S I O N : T O E N D H U N G E R I N O U R C O M M U N I T Y

3990 Brickway Boulevard | Santa Rosa, CA 95403 | 707.523.7900 | refb.org

Food & Funds Drive

“Hunger-Free” (continued from page 2)

• In September, Nick Hromalik, a Petaluma native

now working for Congressman Jared Huffman in

Washington D.C., toured the REFB warehouse. Nick

has been an amazing advocate for legislation that

supports hunger-related causes.

Engaging in these activities has significant benefits,

including strengthening relationships and building

new connections to help advocate on behalf of

those we serve. The end result will be a stronger and

more robust safety net for those facing hunger in

our community.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Host a Food & Funds Drive: — Sign up online at www.refb.org — Call 707-523-7902 ext. 114 — Email dwiley@refb.org

• Make a Financial Donation: — Online at www.refb.org — Mail a check to the REFB — Return the envelope delivered with your Newsfeed

• Volunteer: — Individuals and groups can sort, pack,

deliver and distribute food — Visit www.refb.org/volunteer — Send an email to joberti@refb.org

• Like us on Facebook!