About Us
River City Food Bank alleviates hunger in Sacramento County by providing healthy, nutritious food to anyone in need. In 2022, we provided 2,495,687 pounds of healthy food to 292,033 people facing hunger.
River City Food Bank’s Staff
Amanda McCarthy, Executive Director
With a passion to build healthy communities, Amanda began her professional career working for a food bank in Seattle, Washington. What started as a position in program management, quickly grew into a lifelong passion for hunger relief and social justice. Amanda has experience developing programs, leading operations, and building collaborative relationships to increase awareness and achieve goals for food banks and nonprofit organizations. Committed to alleviating hunger in Sacramento County, she will work to advance River City Food Bank’s mission through continued focus on providing emergency food and resources for families and individuals needing assistance.
Erika Fatula, Director of Fund Development
Growing up on the east coast, Erika developed a deep passion for helping others, and experienced firsthand how compassion and kindness transforms lives. After graduating from Rutgers University, Erika made the move to Sacramento, starting a career in the human services field. As Director of Fund Development, Erika manages all fundraising, marketing and communication efforts to ensure that we can effectively serve our neighbors in need and fulfill our mission to alleviate hunger in our community.
Paula Jenkins, Operations Administrator
Paula started with River City Food Bank in 2010 shortly after the fire destroyed our location on 27th Street. She started as an Administrative Assistant and has moved into the position of our Operations Administrator, providing support to the operations of our Midtown location. In addition, she oversees the financial and personnel responsibilities of both locations of our food bank. She is frequently referred to as our “Computer Whisperer” and is the go-to person for troubleshooting equipment issues, building maintenance and ordering office supplies. Paula believes that everyone brings something unique to the table and values helping others. She believes in the core values that are practiced by River City Food Bank staff and volunteers…Dignity, Understanding, Mutual Respect, Health and the ability to receive nutritious food as a basic human need… Because no one should be hungry.
Jena Edoho, Operations Director
Jena Edoho came to River City Food Bank through the Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network (LEVN). Since graduating from Auburn University in 2009, she has worked for numerous non-profits fulfilling her passion to help marginalized people. Her passion for food justice started as a little seed in an urban garden in Nashville, TN and has grown to managing food programs, volunteers, food drives and more at River City Food Bank.
Amy Dierlam, CalFresh Outreach Director
Amy has strong roots in social service, a background that helps her to be especially sensitive and helpful to people needing CalFresh assistance. Before coming to Sacramento, she was a social worker for a foster care agency in Butte County, and then transitioned to work for the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California, coordinating youth and young adult ministry. Amy volunteered at the River City Food Bank intake desk for a year before accepting the CalFresh outreach assistant position in the summer of 2011.
Shannon Steffy Watkins, Marketing Coordinator
Shannon comes to River City Food Bank with over 10 years of experience working with nonprofits. Her passion for creating a compassionate world is demonstrated through her passion for plants, photography, health, and her children. Throughout her life she has experienced changing culture and economic diversity, this has led her to an understanding of the importance of community assistance programs like the food bank, a place bringing everyone together in need and service.
Pamela Dupzyk, Volunteer Coordinator
Pamela comes to RCFB as a third generation in Sacramento and has returned to California after a 15 year sojourn in New Mexico. As a volunteer coordinator, cultural interpreter, and educator, she has worked in museums, nonprofits and for the National Parks helping people connect with their community and environment. Her engagement with food banks started in New Mexico where Pamela was the co-director of an AmeriCorps program focusing on food security and food justice. Her personal passion is also food – growing, shopping, cooking, and eating it. There isn’t a fruit or vegetable or starch that she doesn’t love! She is also a bit of a bookaholic and have an incredibly adorable kitty.
Julie Oliver, Program Coordinator
Julie comes from a background rich in passion for bringing people together with food, fun or philanthropy. Her degree in culinary arts has fueled several of her businesses in addition to running the Nutritious meal program at Wellspring Women’s Center for nine years. Julie can also be found hosting friends for get togethers on her porch or gathering the people of Sacramento together for BikeParty Sacramento!
She is excited to manage River City Food Bank’s satellite programs and offer support to the mission of all that we do.
Fred Gorsira, Operations Coordinator- Arden Site
Fred found his way to River City Food Bank after years of living in the Bay Area and running his own business in the legal field. His passion is to help those less fortunate, and he feels privileged to work alongside staff who give so much to making a difference in so many lives. “It feels good to be of service to our community.” Outside of work, his focus is to raise his daughter with the same sense of compassion and giving back.
Brandon Ralph, Operations Coordinator- Midtown Site
Brandon is originally from Southern California and has a professional background in management in the skilled trade and floral industries. He is passionate about helping those in need and enjoys working in a position that helps provide food security to so many families. Outside of work, Brandon is an avid reader and an enthusiastic fan of live music.
Donnie Salgado, Operations Assistant
Donnie Salgado is originally from Salinas, CA. He came to RCFB from Goodwill, a partner of River City Food Bank. Donnie enjoys the physical aspects of his position as well as driving. In his spare time Donnie likes to work out and play sports.
Josh Frazier, Operations Assistant
Born and raised in the Central Valley, Josh has observed both the abundance of an agricultural epicenter alongside poverty and hunger due to lack of accessibility. He hopes to bridge the gap and help people connect to the food and resources they need here in Sacramento. After volunteering at River City Food Bank amidst the pandemic, Josh is thrilled to join the team!
Mizzie Martinez, Operations Assistant
Born in Mexico City, Mexico, Mizrraim “Mizzie” Martinez and his family built a life in South Sacramento. Mizzie came to River City Food Bank after recently earning his undergraduate degree from California State University Sacramento in International Relations. He loves meeting new people and is a self-described extrovert. You can find him outdoors walking his dogs and enjoying photography.
Ahmad “AJ” Jami, Operations Assistant
AJ was born and spent his childhood in Heart Province before his family moved from Afghanistan to the U.S. by the SIV Program. AJ is currently studying computer science at American River College, and in his free time he enjoys playing tennis, focusing on healthy habits, and watching movies. AJ shares, “RCFB is a place where people are helped. I am happy to work in this community and have a share in doing this humanitarian work.”
Isaiah Marshall, Operations Assistant
Meet Isaiah, first generation college Sacramento State graduate!
Prior to receiving his degree in Public Relations in 2018 Isaiah was rooted in South Central Los Angeles watching the Lakers and loving sports, music, and enjoying movies. As he continues to grow and move forward, Isaiah found River City Food Bank as a place he can help those in need of essential items and provide a resource for the community to receive help. Isaiah continues to evolve in an everchanging world and River City Food Bank appreciates the care he give our guests and smile he carries with him.
Karlen Bell, Operations Assistant
Karlen Bell comes to RCFB with compassion and experience, ready to use his hard work ethic to serve our neighbors.
He recently graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Business Economics and is bi-lingual in English and Mandarin. While volunteering at South Sacramento Christian Center every Saturday, he developed an understanding of food distribution which matched with his love of serving the community.
Hashem Ebrahimi, CalFresh Outreach Assistant
Mohammad Hashem was born and raised in the Middle East where he received his college degree as a RN (Registered Nurse). He speaks five languages fluently and worked with US military forces and ISAF in Afghanistan for nine years as an interpreter, translator, and liaison officer. Mohammad Hashem came to the United States in 2017 and is honored to work at River City Food Bank where he can make a difference in the community.
Amalia Canseco Cruz, CalFresh Outreach Assistant
Amalia has come to River City food with the drive to help her community and become a resource for Sacramento. Although she has lived in Sacramento most of her life, Amalia was born in Oaxaca, Mexico. Amalia is fluent in Spanish and has received her Bachelors in Psychology from UC Merced. Since then she has served with City Year Sacramento as a Corps member and Team Leader. She has discovered her passion for helping others in need.
Stay Connected
Sign up for email newsletter.