Rebuilding the food bank with help from the Metro Chamber

Rebuilding the food bank with help from the Metro Chamber
November 14, 2011 Betsy Stone

A little is enough if enough people do it.”  – Project Inspire motto [check it out and join the 2012 project!]

As Crystal Say (pictured above) swept stray top soil off the street next to River City Food Bank‘s new home last Friday, she explained that she had come to know the organization by participating in RCFB’s Harvest for Hunger in October through her involvement in XOSO sports league, which provided cleanup volunteers for the event.  She’s been receiving RCFB’s periodic e-newsletters and now, she says, “I love this organization.”  Lots more pictures here.

Randy Sater and Eileen Thomas

Thursday night, the Sacramento Metro Chamber celebrates the conclusion of its first Project Inspire effort, which has helped to convert a 3,275 square foot former agency for the hearing impaired into a food bank that is ready to serve the growing population of Sacramentans in need of emergency food.  Randy Sater, who was the Sacramento Metro Chamber Chair when the program kicked off last year, puts the value of the project at over $250,000, including a $10,000 cash award and LOTS of in-kind donations.

River City Food Bank asked the Chamber for $75,000 in in-kind help to improve the building that was purchased after its operational home was lost to arson on Oct. 21, 2010.  Since it was picked from 48 applications last February, a group of committed Metro Chamber volunteers has been busy behind the scenes helping River City Food Bank to secure the permit to operate as a food bank, plan the new space, and recruit companies and individuals to donate materials and labor toward the effort.

Kyle Glankler

As with any building project, the RCFB project took longer and cost more than anticipated.  Kyle Glankler of Roebbelen Contracting Inc. steadily pushed the project forward as a key volunteer leader of the effort, cajoling community partners and Metro Chamber members to support the effort. Wayne Kirkling of Teichert also had a big hand in securing partners that delivered top soil and trimmed trees last Friday.  Paula Desideri of Lionakis, who spearheaded space planning, got so involved that she’s since joined the RCFB Board.

ADP volunteers

Last Friday, more than 50 people added their sweat equity to the effort by sweeping, digging, trimming, prepping, hauling, pouring and compacting soil, hauling and washing.  Lots of pictures are on our flickr site, here.  The volunteer effort was followed this week by interior and exterior painting.

Take a minute to look over the list of the great and giving people and companies who stepped up to do a little – and in many cases, a lot!  We’ll continue to add to this list as we identify more of the many companies and people who have been helping to rebuild this important part of Sacramento’s food safety net.

  • Project Inspire/RCFB Project Committee: Roebbelen Contracting Inc., 3fold Communications, Carpenter’s Union, Downey Brand LLP, Lionakis, Northern California Construction Trades, Sutter Health, Taylor & Wiley, and Teichert
  • In-kind donors (those *asterisked contributed $5,000 or more in goods and services)
    • 3fold Communications
    • Air Systems*
    • AP Thomas
    • Atlas Disposal
    • Bonney Heating and Air*
    • Capital Engineering Consultants
    • Carpenter’s Union
    • Chipotle
    • Downey Brand LLP*
    • Fallen Leaf Tree Service
    • Green Acres Nursery
    • Harry A. Yee and Associates*
    • Hastie’s Capitol Sand and Gravel
    • JD Pasquetti General Engineering
    • KHS&S Drywall
    • Lionakis*
    • Nohoch Production
    • Pacific Coast Building Products
    • Roebbelen Contracting Inc.*
    • Rosendin Electric*
    • StoneBridge Properties
    • Summit Air
    • Sutter Health*
    • Taylor-Wiley*
    • Teichert-Capitol Builders Hardware
    • Turman Commercial Painters*
    • Winzler & Kelly
  • Volunteers on 11-11-11:  Nor Cal Construction & Training Program students, The Berejikian-Lack family, Deirdre Bigus, Mike Borchard, Giselle Carrillo, Kristin Casey, Joe Cava, Allie Cole, Neil and Susan Cunningham, Marie Fiore, Kevin Garvin, Andrew Geniesse, Kyle Glankler, Luanne Hansen, Peggy Hoyt, Nicole James, Antonio Jimenez, Kristian Jimenez, Hanna Kauffman, Scott Kauffman, LaSheathe Lampkin, Steven Livingston, Karl Lohse, Mona Lucero, Gregory Moore, Mike Norris, Sean O’Brien, Ron Parsons, Liz Purcell, Shareen Rendon, Judy Robinson, Delilah Rojo, Randy Sater, Crystal Say, James Schubert, Katherine Sherman, Michael Smith, Shirley Smith, Larry Stanfill, Keri Thomas, Scott Thomas, Heidi Thomas, John Thomas, Sheree Thornton, Elise Walden, Kerri Warner and Laura Wilder

Project Inspire is a program of activities focused on promoting community through inspiring civic-minded leadership, volunteerism, and philanthropic giving in the Sacramento region.  Anyone can join in this collective effort to do good for a donation of $250 or more!  The Metro Chamber is offering organized group volunteer activities, opportunities to contribute to a philanthropic giving circle, and recognition of giving efforts of businesses addressing the greatest social needs of the region. The program’s goal is to encourage participation by businesses and individuals, and to make it easier to give time, knowledge, talents and donations.

Want to get involved in 2012?  Secure donations may be made through the Sacramento Region Community Foundation’s website or by sending a check to the Sacramento Region Community Foundation earmarked for the Inspire Giving Fund.  Any business or community member who becomes a member of Project Inspire gets a voice in deciding which charity or charities will receive funds in the next funding cycle.

The need for River City Food Bank’s services has skyrocketed this year, especially for seniors and children.  By the end of 2011, an estimated 47,000 people will have turned to the food bank for emergency food assistance. Thirty percent of the meals provided now go to feed children, and the number of seniors served has climbed 55% since January of this year.

River City Food Bank, an independent 501 (c)(3), is completely funded by individuals and corporate donations and grants. Senior Gleaners and Sacramento FoodLink help supply RCFB with food, along with businesses that provide day-old items, frozen food and fresh fruits and vegetables. Individuals and groups donate non-perishable food, fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as formula and diapers for families with infants and young children. The organization is governed by a vibrant and skilled 16-member Board of Directors.

Posted by: Philanthrophile, also known as Betsy Stone