Style Magazine November 2020 RGBR

GIVING BACK
County, and guaranteeing
a daily safety net for people
struggling to make ends
meet. “In rural areas like El
Dorado County [hunger is]
often hidden, as the family
needing assistance may be
your neighbors, those you
go to church with, or those
your children go to school
with. Food insecurity is all
around but in a rural setting,
folks don’t want anyone
to know,” says General
Manager Jenna Sproull. The
organization’s unique No
Vet Goes Hungry program
ensures all veterans in the
county have access to food.
Their Mobile Pantry provides
year-round sustenance, and
they’ve also teamed up with
Shingle Springs Band of Miwok
Indians to help seniors aged
60+ with a Supplemental Food
program. Their Annual Holiday
Outreach on December 19 will
provide meals for over 1,000
families. foodbankedc.org
The Upper Room Dining
Hall in Placerville is a hot
meal program that partners
with over 16 local faith-based
and civic organizations to
provide services, meals,
and take-out lunches daily.
Prior to COVID-19, 9.8% of El
Dorado County residents were
living below the poverty line,
according to Chairwoman of
the Board Jennifer Mouzis.
Although statistics since the
pandemic are yet unknown,
“the number of people who
turned to the Dining Hall
almost doubled during the
summer,” she says. Every day
volunteers prepare and deliver
breakfast, lunch, and dinner to
vulnerable people, including
high-risk homeless citizens
housed in motels/hotels during
COVID-19. Food bank shortages
impact how much food they
receive and with fundraising
being cancelled, they’re
reliant on donors to keep free
programs running. “We are so
thankful that the community
[has shown] up to support us
and each other during these
challenging times,” says Mouzis.
upperroomdininghall.org
The Salt Mine in Lincoln has
a variety of food distribution
opportunities, including a
food closet that offers monthly
Pantry Boxes, weekly USDA
Emergency Food Assistance,
and three Fresh Food Giveaways.
“We commonly hear stories
of families having to choose
between food and paying
bills. Food is often seen as
a controllable variable in a
budget that can change month
to month, whereas rent, car
payments, electricity, etc. are
fixed. This often results in
food becoming last on the list
of priorities,” says Operations
Manager Stephen Hay. In any
given month, they have 12 fresh
food giveaways and any local
can receive items—including
dairy, eggs, and meat—as
often as needed. Since their
fundraising gala that normally
raises 75-100K was cancelled
this year, monetary donations
are their best bet for propelling
through the holiday season and
into next year. thesaltmine.org
Friends of Folsom is
basically a “framily” (friends
and family) that have united to
help causes in the community.
“[Food insecurity] is far more
prevalent…in our Folsom
bubble than most people
realize,” says President Jeff
Garcia. Having provided
meals for over 25,000 families
and funded dozens of local
charities, the volunteer group
puts together countless events
to raise funds. Their biggest
event, a turkey drive on
November 6 will be a socially
distanced, outdoor event
comprising auctions, raffles,
live music, giveaways, food,
and cocktails. Donations, word
of mouth, and participation
in the event will help sustain
their efforts. “It’s important to
understand that every little bit
helps with the cost to feed a
family at Thanksgiving…even
around $10. Many people can
help if willing,” says Garcia.
friendsoffolsom.org
Twin Lakes Food Bank
in Folsom serves perishable
and nonperishable groceries
Top left: Food Bank of El Dorado County
Top right: The Upper Room Dining Hall
Bottom left: The Salt Mine
Bottom middle: Friends of Folsom
Bottom right: Twin Lakes Food Bank
to over 20,0000 individuals
yearly in Folsom, Granite
Bay, and El Dorado Hills.
“We believe that access
to nutritious food is a
fundamental human right,”
says Executive Director Lisa
Tuter. The pandemic brought
over 400 new families,
many experiencing food
insecurity for the first time.
With three onsite drive-thru
food distributions every
week, one-third acre of an
organic garden, and grocery
deliveries to homebound
seniors and students, they
provide nutritious food to
over 1,800 people monthly.
Their virtual Twin Lakes Gala
on November 6 will include
an online auction and watch
party, and a Thanksgiving
Grocery Meal Drive-Thru
Giveaway on November 23 is
set to benefit at least 500 local
families. “The best way to help
during the holiday season is
by donating funds earmarked
for Thanksgiving or Christmas
that will enable the food bank
to purchase holiday groceries
for less, compared to going
to the store and purchasing
items yourself,” shares Tuter.
twinlakesfoodbank.org
Photos courtesy of their respective companies or organizations.
22 stylemg.com | NOVEMBER 2020 | /stylemg /stylemediagroup /stylemediagroup /stylemags