River City Food Bank’s Staff

Administration

Amanda McCarthy

Executive Director

Amanda McCarthy

Executive Director

Amanda McCarthy believes meaningful change starts with collaboration, thoughtful solutions and a deep respect for community. For more than 20 years, she’s worked throughout the West Coast to address food insecurity and support efforts that build healthier, more connected communities. A University of Oregon graduate with a degree in Journalism, Amanda brings a strong background in nonprofit leadership, operations and public engagement to her work. As Executive Director of River City Food Bank, she focuses on practical, people-centered approaches to meeting urgent needs while building long-term stability. Outside of work, Amanda enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, their two teenage sons and their dog, Sheldon. Her work is grounded in a belief that everyone deserves access to basic human rights—and the dignity that comes with them.

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Paula Jenkins

Operations Administrator

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.

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Operations and Distribution

Jena Edoho

Operations Director

Jena Edoho

Operations Director

Hailing from Orlando, Florida, Jena graduated from Auburn University (Alabama) and has since been working for various non-profits with the personal and professional goal of helping others improve their lives. Jena started with River City Food Bank in 2012 as an intern through the Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network. During her tenure she has done all things Operations including driving trucks, making food deliveries, coordinating volunteers, organizing food drives as well as managing programs, projects, events and staff. In her current role as Operations Director, she strives to uplift her (amazing!) team so RCFB can continue to better serve the greater Sacramento community.

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Donnie Salgado

Operations Coordinator

Donnie Salgado

Operations Coordinator

Donnie Salgado, Operations Assistant Originally from Salinas, California, Donnie moved to Sacramento in 2012 after high school. Joining RCFB as a driver, he found a perfect blend of helping people and contributing to the community. Donnie takes pride in providing healthy, sustainable food to those in need and enjoys the physical aspect of staying active on the job. Outside of work, he loves BBQ, time with family, and managing the chaos of their six dogs. Donnie also stays connected to his sports roots, playing slow pitch softball and participating in a men’s basketball league.

Fred Gorsira

Operations Coordinator- Arden Site

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.

Lauren Graffigna

Volunteer Coordinator

Lauren Graffigna

Volunteer Coordinator

Lauren Graffigna brings a passion for people and a flair for the arts to her role at River City Food Bank. A proud graduate of Sacramento State with degrees in Organizational Communication and Theatre—Stingers Up!—Lauren is as comfortable engaging volunteers as she is captivating an audience. You may have seen her performing at B Street Theatre or bringing Shakespeare to life on stage. Originally from Irwindale in Southern California, Lauren has called Sacramento home for nearly 15 years. She and her husband Giancarlo live in Colonial Heights with their beloved dogs, Captain and Odin. When she’s not supporting the incredible volunteers and staff at RCFB, Lauren enjoys playing board games, sipping local craft beer, dining out, and spending time on the water—especially in Lake Tahoe. Whether she’s building community connections or performing under stage lights, Lauren brings warmth, creativity, and heart to everything she does.

Brandon Ralph

Operations Coordinator- Midtown Site

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.

Ahmad “AJ” Jami

Operations Assistant

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.”

Karlen Bell

Operations Assistant

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

Operations Assistant

Hashem Ebrahimi

Operations 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.

Thomas Hatch

Operations Assistant

Thomas Hatch

Operations Assistant

Thomas Hatch brings a diverse background in food service, facilities support, and hands-on trades. Prior to joining RCFB, he spent several years in the food and beverage industry, most notably as a bar manager with a focus on craft cocktails and rare whiskey selections. Thomas is also experienced in electrical work, staging, and art handling—skills that make him a versatile and dependable member of the operations team. Outside of work, he enjoys music, baseball, cycling, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. His energy, adaptability, and resourcefulness support RCFB’s mission to serve the community with compassion and efficiency.

Development and Marketing

Erika Fatula

Director of Development and Marketing

Erika Fatula

Director of Development and Marketing

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.

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Shannon Steffy

Marketing Coordinator

Shannon Steffy

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

Dev Shokar

Development Assistant

Dev Shokar

Development Assistant

A proud Sacramento native, Dev Shokar is passionate about giving back to the community that raised him. After earning a degree in Political Science from St. Mary’s College of California, Dev set out to make a meaningful impact in his hometown. Inspired by his parents’ careers in healthcare and their commitment to service, he brings compassion and purpose to his work every day. Dev was drawn to River City Food Bank’s strong reputation and vital role in the community and is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to its mission. In his free time, he enjoys exploring new places with his girlfriend and spending quality time with his twin brother.

CalFresh Outreach

Amy Dierlam

CalFresh Outreach Director

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.

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Amalia Canseco Cruz

CalFresh Outreach Coordinator

Amalia Canseco Cruz

CalFresh Outreach Coordinator

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.

Staff

River City Food Bank’s Staff

Administration

Operations and Distribution

Development and Marketing

CalFresh Outreach

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