Handcrafted Jewelry on Sale to Support the River City Food Bank’s BackSnacks Program

Handcrafted Jewelry on Sale to Support the River City Food Bank’s BackSnacks Program
October 7, 2014 River City Food Bank

SACRAMENTO- A Sacramento jewelry designer has a great idea to raise awareness and money to combat hunger among children in Sacramento, and you don’t have to wear a common rubber wristband to participate.

Gretchen Schueller, owner of Piece of Mind Bead and Jewelry Studio, will be selling 500 unique, handcrafted beaded necklaces with all of the proceeds going to the River City Food Bank’s “BackSnacks” program.

The sale will take place July 12 at the Piece of Mind Studio in the Arthouse Building, near the corner of 10th and R, at 1021 R Street, during Sacramento’s “Second Saturday” Art Walk. 

“I know I will be wearing one of those gorgeous necklaces,” says Executive Director of the River City Food Bank Eileen Thomas. “And when I get the inevitable compliment, I will seize the opportunity to talk about what we do at River City Food Bank to help the working poor, the elderly, the sick and families down on their luck. I hope to see the necklaces on advocates all over the region.”

River City Food Bank provides backpacks full of nutritious snacks to children who are out of school and not benefitting from free or subsidized breakfast and lunch programs during the summer. The backpacks also go home on weekends during the school year. The BackSnack Program is one of many River City Food Bank platforms that provide assistance in various ways to combat hunger.

“We’re doing this because the kids deserve better and we want to help,” says Schueller.  “We hope this will inspire other communities to do similar projects.”

Schueller says the 500 necklaces initiative was inspired by Sacramento State student Christopher Thompson’s effort. He recently spent a year-and-a-half crafting 1000 bowls as part of his master’s of art studio program. Proceeds went to various nonprofits. River City Food Banks’ annual “Empty Bowls” event also mobilizes dozens of bowl makers to donate their wares to support the efforts of the River City Food Bank.

“To increase the number of children served, we need more funding,” added Thomas. “We are so grateful to Gretchen and her fellow designers for taking this project on.”

For a preview of the necklaces that will be for sale, visit http://500forhungrykids.blogspot.com.