ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Fresh, colorful paint has been added to Elk Grove’s landscape, this time brightening the Elk Grove Food Bank Services exterior with butterflies, ladybugs and larger-than-life sunflowers set against a baby blue sky.

In addition to the new mural, the local nonprofit xHope Inc. organization recently added artwork to its warehouse courtyard, featuring a mural of a girl on a swing titled “The Girl on a Swing.”

Both projects are part of Wide Open Walls’ ongoing mission to bring color and meaning to public spaces that celebrate the community. The Sacramento-based organization creates “art for all,” installing art across the region with a focus on schools and community spaces.

 

Here is one of the two new murals added to Elk Grove called "The Girl on a Swing," located at local nonprofit xHope, Inc. 

Elk Grove Food Bank Services, located at 9888 Kent St., celebrated the unveiling of its new mural, “The Sunflowers,” on Oct. 20. The event drew local leaders. including Sacramento County Supervisor Pat Hume, Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen, Vice Mayor Sergio Robles and Councilmember Rod Brewer. Members of the Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce and the food bank’s board also attended, as well as current food bank clients and community members.

Hume, who sponsored the mural and donated to support the food bank’s services, spoke at the event and reflected on its early days.

“I recall back when the food bank started out of the basement of the Methodist church on Elk Grove Boulevard, grew from there and outgrew the space they were in,” Hume said.

The supervisor also acknowledged Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper, who helped secure funding for the food bank’s construction and operation while serving as an assemblymember in 2019.

Hume said that his decision to sponsor the mural came from wanting to make the food bank a more welcoming place for those in need.

“Anything that’s going to brighten your day and make the experience a little more joyful, I think, is worth pouring into,” he said.

 

Pictured from left are Councilmember Rod Brewer, Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen, Wide Open Walls Founder David Sabon, Vice Mayor Sergio Robles and Sacramento County Supervisor Pat Hume. 

Singh-Allen thanked those involved with Elk Grove Food Bank Services for helping thousands of residents and noted that its client list continues to grow. She said that the mural’s bright, colorful imagery will offer clients and volunteers a sense of hope.

“It is such a joy to see this amazing mural that is also reflective of brightness,” Singh-Allen said. “So as clients and volunteers come here, you see something bright, something bright representing better days ahead. I always believe that the best is yet to come.”

The celebration also included a special moment honoring a longtime food bank client’s 100th birthday. The mayor presented a key to the city to centenarian Imgard Barnes, who celebrated her birthday in May and shared that she has been a client of the food bank for 107 months.

“She (Barnes) continues to come to the food bank for its services and as one of the seniors that absolutely need the services that the Elk Grove Food Bank provides, I think you just represent that bright light in our city,” Singh-Allen said.

 

Longtime food bank client and centenarian Imgard Barnes, left, holds a Key to the City recognition presented by Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen. 

Elk Grove Food Bank Services Chairperson Dr. Suman Singha thanked Wide Open Walls founder David Sobon and artists Tim Lindsey and Daniel Pedersen for bringing the mural to life, as well as the community for its ongoing support.

Singha then shared the inspiration behind the mural’s design and its connection to the food bank’s mission. While sunflowers are the favorite flower of Elk Grove Food Bank Services Executive Director Marie Jacinto, Singha said, their inclusion, along with the ladybug, carries a deeper meaning.

“Both the ladybug and the sunflower symbolize hope… the food bank tagline is ‘Fill the need, feed the hope,’” Singha said. “So, when people come here, regardless of whether they are seniors or regular working age, this place gives them a lot of hope for a better future.”

 

Elk Grove Food Bank Services Executive Director Marie Jacinto hugs Wide Open Walls Founder David Sabon at the mural unveiling celebration on Oct. 20. 

Since the unveiling of “The Elk” mural at Christopher Cellars in partnership with Bartholomew Family Vineyards last month, Sobon told The Elk Grove Citizen that the community’s response to recent murals has been overwhelmingly positive. Sobon added that Wide Open Walls hopes to soon bring a project to downtown Elk Grove.

“Our mission is kind of two-fold; it’s like art for all and transforming neighborhoods but it’s also the other part of this transforming that goes into the schools and uplifting children in Elk Grove,” Sobon said.

Although the city’s Arts and Creative Economy Commission ultimately recommended partnering with another arts organization for the city’s inaugural mural festival during its Sept. 10 meeting, Sobon said that Wide Open Walls continues to raise funds to bring more public art to Elk Grove and remains open to collaborating with the city on future projects.