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Stacks of boxes line one wall, color coded for home delivery to specific clients. Canned goods are sorted and boxed. Nutritious snacks are ready to fill the tummies of students across Nevada County.
This is the warehouse of the Food Bank of Nevada County. Toni Thompson, executive director, is proud of the variety of healthy food that this nonprofit provides. Although much of the food would be considered staples, there are also unique items, such as wheat flour; crème fraîche; organic seeds like flax, fenugreek, Quinton and amaranth; and ready-made bags of salad.
"We've been called the 'gourmet food bank of California' by other food banks," Thompson said.
Recipients of the Food Bank's provisions are pleased to see that the food they receive isn't just a helter-skelter can of this and a bag of that.
"We pride ourselves on giving people a box that provides a full meal," Thompson said. "If we give pasta, we give the sauce that goes with it. A lot of care goes into the packaging."
Some items are provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. But since the Food Bank tries to supply nutritious foods, some must be purchased - especially for the children's programs.
"We try to provide information on nutrition and good health because there is a high rate of obesity and diabetes now," said Jackie Witkofsky, secretary of the Food Bank. "We have to buy some items, like string cheese and yogurt."
This is the warehouse of the Food Bank of Nevada County. Toni Thompson, executive director, is proud of the variety of healthy food that this nonprofit provides. Although much of the food would be considered staples, there are also unique items, such as wheat flour; crème fraîche; organic seeds like flax, fenugreek, Quinton and amaranth; and ready-made bags of salad.
"We've been called the 'gourmet food bank of California' by other food banks," Thompson said.
Recipients of the Food Bank's provisions are pleased to see that the food they receive isn't just a helter-skelter can of this and a bag of that.
"We pride ourselves on giving people a box that provides a full meal," Thompson said. "If we give pasta, we give the sauce that goes with it. A lot of care goes into the packaging."
Some items are provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. But since the Food Bank tries to supply nutritious foods, some must be purchased - especially for the children's programs.
"We try to provide information on nutrition and good health because there is a high rate of obesity and diabetes now," said Jackie Witkofsky, secretary of the Food Bank. "We have to buy some items, like string cheese and yogurt."
During the summer of 2005, the Food Bank prepared and served approximately 3,400 healthy lunches and snacks for the children at five different park and recreation sites - Ridge School, Memorial Park, Chicago Park School, Western Gateway Park and Pioneer Park. Before, many children who attended the programs would come without any lunch or snack for the six-hour day.
The Food Bank also provides more than 650 healthy snacks per week to classroom and after-school programs at Hennessy, Clear Creek, Grizzly Hill and Ready Springs School. The goal is to create a program for the children that will include healthy meals, nutrition education and a physical activity program.
Melissa Fowlkes, a teacher at Hennessy School, appreciates what the Food Bank does for her students. Fowlkes says she began noticing that many of her students came to school hungry and some would even hoard food in their desks. She called the Food Bank and they began bi-monthly snack-food deliveries to her classroom.
"The effect has been dramatic," said Fowlkes. "Students are more focused throughout the day, their problem-solving skills are more patiently used, and they put forth more effort in their work and in our discussions."
To help fund the classroom and park and recreation summer programs, the nonprofit has a fundraiser underway called Project Hope for Our Future. Members of our community can sponsor a child for $214 a year. This will provide $1 a day toward a healthy snack for a child during the 180 school days and $1 a day toward a healthy lunch and snack for a child during the 34 summer days at one of the park and recreation sites. In exchange for $214, the sponsor receives an anonymous biography of a child currently being served by the program. All of the $214 goes toward the food for the child.
Funding by individuals in our area is important to the Food Bank. Seventy-two percent of its budget comes from individual donors. Additional funding comes from the U.S.D.A., the United Way, F.E.M.A. and Nevada County. A holiday food drive from Thanksgiving through Christmas and the Postal Letter Carriers' food drive on the Saturday before Mother's Day contribute toward the Food Bank's stash of non-perishable foods.
The Food Bank provides food in three ways: monthly distribution at five sites throughout Nevada County, a home delivery "outreach program" to around 40 home-bound clients, and emergency food pick-up at the warehouse, which is by referral only.
The Food Bank also provides more than 650 healthy snacks per week to classroom and after-school programs at Hennessy, Clear Creek, Grizzly Hill and Ready Springs School. The goal is to create a program for the children that will include healthy meals, nutrition education and a physical activity program.
Melissa Fowlkes, a teacher at Hennessy School, appreciates what the Food Bank does for her students. Fowlkes says she began noticing that many of her students came to school hungry and some would even hoard food in their desks. She called the Food Bank and they began bi-monthly snack-food deliveries to her classroom.
"The effect has been dramatic," said Fowlkes. "Students are more focused throughout the day, their problem-solving skills are more patiently used, and they put forth more effort in their work and in our discussions."
To help fund the classroom and park and recreation summer programs, the nonprofit has a fundraiser underway called Project Hope for Our Future. Members of our community can sponsor a child for $214 a year. This will provide $1 a day toward a healthy snack for a child during the 180 school days and $1 a day toward a healthy lunch and snack for a child during the 34 summer days at one of the park and recreation sites. In exchange for $214, the sponsor receives an anonymous biography of a child currently being served by the program. All of the $214 goes toward the food for the child.
Funding by individuals in our area is important to the Food Bank. Seventy-two percent of its budget comes from individual donors. Additional funding comes from the U.S.D.A., the United Way, F.E.M.A. and Nevada County. A holiday food drive from Thanksgiving through Christmas and the Postal Letter Carriers' food drive on the Saturday before Mother's Day contribute toward the Food Bank's stash of non-perishable foods.
The Food Bank provides food in three ways: monthly distribution at five sites throughout Nevada County, a home delivery "outreach program" to around 40 home-bound clients, and emergency food pick-up at the warehouse, which is by referral only.
Contact Info
<B>Food Bank of Nevada County</B>
9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday <B>Physical Address:</B> 12048 Charles Drive #9 Grass Valley 95945 <B>Mailing Address:</B> PMB 187, 578 Sutton Way Grass Valley 95945-5306 <B>Online</B> <A HREF="mailto:foodbanknc@nccn.net">foodbanknc@nccn.net</A> <A HREF="http://www.nccn.net/~foodbanknc" TARGET="NEW">www.nccn.net/~foodbanknc</A> 272-3796 |
"If they call and say 'We have hungry kids,' we'll do our best to see that they are fed," Thompson said.
Currently, the Food Bank is making sure that 870 families in Nevada County are being fed. Of those families, only 11 are on welfare.
Thompson calls some of the people being helped "the working poor." It's not people who are sitting around waiting for a handout. It's single parents, seniors, the disabled and families who are just having a hard time making ends meet.
A close-knit family of around 70 people keeps the Food Bank going. Phil Kruse is warehouse manager. With volunteers Walt and Sonny, the five warehouses utilized by the Food Bank are kept in order and the delivery trucks are in good running condition.
Irmela Lathe, secretary and all around "jack-of-all-trades," can find the best deals on food anywhere in the United States. If there's a good price on turkeys out there, she'll find it.
Susan Escano is part-time consultant and Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) coordinator. Richard Haworth, builder extraordinaire, has constructed space for upper offices and designed a kitchen that is practical and nice. Judie Rae, a teacher at Sierra College, is the Food Bank's grant writer. Bob Flanigan, board president, began by volunteering in the outreach program.
"I'm here because I enjoy it," Flanigan said. " I've made a lot of friends."
Currently, the Food Bank is making sure that 870 families in Nevada County are being fed. Of those families, only 11 are on welfare.
Thompson calls some of the people being helped "the working poor." It's not people who are sitting around waiting for a handout. It's single parents, seniors, the disabled and families who are just having a hard time making ends meet.
A close-knit family of around 70 people keeps the Food Bank going. Phil Kruse is warehouse manager. With volunteers Walt and Sonny, the five warehouses utilized by the Food Bank are kept in order and the delivery trucks are in good running condition.
Irmela Lathe, secretary and all around "jack-of-all-trades," can find the best deals on food anywhere in the United States. If there's a good price on turkeys out there, she'll find it.
Susan Escano is part-time consultant and Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) coordinator. Richard Haworth, builder extraordinaire, has constructed space for upper offices and designed a kitchen that is practical and nice. Judie Rae, a teacher at Sierra College, is the Food Bank's grant writer. Bob Flanigan, board president, began by volunteering in the outreach program.
"I'm here because I enjoy it," Flanigan said. " I've made a lot of friends."
Monthly Distribution Schedule
Emergency food at warehouse—by referral only
Grass Valley, Veterans Memorial Building—4th Tuesday, 10 to 11:30 a.m. North San Juan, Activity Center—2nd Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to noon Penn Valley, Community Church—2nd Tuesday, 10 to 11 a.m. Washington, 31625 Relief Hill Road—3rd Thursday, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Truckee, Community Center—3rd Tuesday, noon to 1 p.m. <B>Gift and Thrift Shop</B> 13467 Colfax Highway 274-7037 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday |
Only a few are paid staff. But, like Thompson says, nobody is there for the money. They all receive joy and gratification through what they do and bond closely with recipients. When one of their elderly outreach clients passes away, it's a bad day at the Food Bank.
Thompson is concerned that people might get the Food Bank of Nevada County confused with other food banks. For example, not long ago, the Food Bank of Northern Nevada was soliciting in this area. Since the name is so similar, many contributors were confused. Our Food Bank only has two mailings sent out per year - one in the spring and one in the fall. Carefully check the name and make sure it's from here in Grass Valley.
The Food Bank opened a "Gift and Thrift Store" last March. Located at the Cedar Ridge Y, the store accepts donations of gently used clothing, household items and, especially, furniture. Pick-up service can be arranged. Several of the thrift store's nicer items have been placed on eBay.
Because of work schedules, it's hard for many of the Food Bank's recipients to come in during the week and pick up food. So starting on the first Saturday in January, the Food Bank will be open specifically for working families who can't come during the week. Call first, though. They need to know you're coming.
As long as the Food Bank is open, there won't be many hungry tummies in Nevada County. Not as long Toni Thompson and her volunteers have supplies in their warehouse.
<I>Pam Fortner is a freelance writer in Grass Valley. Her column on nonprofits appears each Monday. Deadline for information is 5 p.m. each Wednesday. The column will appear in the following Monday edition. Send information to Pamela Fortner at The Union, 464 Sutton Way, Grass Valley 95945; e-mail nonprofits@theunion.com; or fax to 477-4292.</I>
Thompson is concerned that people might get the Food Bank of Nevada County confused with other food banks. For example, not long ago, the Food Bank of Northern Nevada was soliciting in this area. Since the name is so similar, many contributors were confused. Our Food Bank only has two mailings sent out per year - one in the spring and one in the fall. Carefully check the name and make sure it's from here in Grass Valley.
The Food Bank opened a "Gift and Thrift Store" last March. Located at the Cedar Ridge Y, the store accepts donations of gently used clothing, household items and, especially, furniture. Pick-up service can be arranged. Several of the thrift store's nicer items have been placed on eBay.
Because of work schedules, it's hard for many of the Food Bank's recipients to come in during the week and pick up food. So starting on the first Saturday in January, the Food Bank will be open specifically for working families who can't come during the week. Call first, though. They need to know you're coming.
As long as the Food Bank is open, there won't be many hungry tummies in Nevada County. Not as long Toni Thompson and her volunteers have supplies in their warehouse.
<I>Pam Fortner is a freelance writer in Grass Valley. Her column on nonprofits appears each Monday. Deadline for information is 5 p.m. each Wednesday. The column will appear in the following Monday edition. Send information to Pamela Fortner at The Union, 464 Sutton Way, Grass Valley 95945; e-mail nonprofits@theunion.com; or fax to 477-4292.</I>
