ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - As Elk Grove continues to celebrate its 25th anniversary, the milestone underscores how the city has grown through diversity, inclusion and forward-thinking efforts.

That foundation is reflected in the work of organizations such as Elk Grove Food Bank Services, which remain vital to the city’s progress as it receives and provides essential support to residents.

The food bank’s service dates to 1974, when it began operating out of Elk Grove United Methodist Church long before the city incorporated in 2000. It has grown alongside Elk Grove’s expanding population and rising needs, distributing 4.2 million pounds of food between 2023 and 2024.

 

Shown are boxes of food for Elk Grove Food Bank Services with its logo and motto “Fill the Need, Feed the Hope” distributed for Thanksgiving on Nov. 22. 

Its role has become even more critical in recent months, following setbacks tied to the federal government shutdown and its effect on food benefits and income for federal workers. The food bank saw record demand in November with about 200 new unduplicated households seeking assistance. In October alone, about 9,942 unduplicated individuals visited the food bank at least once for services.

“It’s counting everyone that’s been here at least one time. When we start counting how many people have come at least once but more than once, the number is close to 21,000,” said community outreach manager Valerie Erwin.

Along with food assistance, the food bank operates a clothing closet and offers pet food. It also conducts distributions at senior complexes and schools for residents who cannot reach the main distribution site at 9888 Kent St. off Waterman Road.

 

Volunteer Michael Won holds a frozen turkey during the Elk Grove Food Banks Services Thanksgiving food distribution on Nov. 22 at Creekside Christian Church. 

Executive Director Marie Jachino said the community responded immediately when the food bank announced its need for help to meet the growing demand for services.

“We have so many community-based partners and just honestly, I don’t even know how to thank them, they’ve just been so generous,” Jachino said. “It’s been overwhelming to see the outpour of donations.”

Jachino noted that the level of support has surpassed what the food bank saw during the pandemic, but the growing need has matched that generosity. At times, lines of vehicles waiting for assistance have become long enough to cause traffic and have prompted staff to direct cars.

 

City Councilmember Darren Suen addresses chamber members, food bank board members and staff at the Nov. 18 mixer. 

To help boost support, the Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce hosted a joint mixer with the food bank on Nov. 18, bringing chamber members together for an evening of small bites, music and community service. Several city officials attended, including City Council members, representatives from the fire department and the community service district, all highlighting the importance of ongoing community involvement to keep essential operations such as the food bank strong.

Elk Grove Food Bank board member Candance Lawson said that the event and the chamber’s strong support were a “testament to who we are,” emphasizing how the organization, as a long-time chamber member, received backing from the local business community with members coming together in numbers and seeing firsthand the impact of their support.

“The need now is just incredible. We’ve doubled the amount of people that we’re feeding and there is no way for us to know that if we don’t gather,” Lawson said.

Executive Director Marie Jachino dances with Cosumnes Fire Chief Felipe Rodriguez at the Nov. 18 mixer held to boost support for Elk Grove Food Bank Services.

Elk Grove Chamber ambassador Robert Rhymes said his role allows him to help connect local businesses and organizations that share a commitment to serving the community.

“I enjoy being an ambassador with the Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce,” Rhymes said. “It gives me the opportunity to work with local companies and organizations within Elk Grove to come together and support the Elk Grove Food Bank by providing must need donations during this critical time of need.”

Rhymes said he was proud of the support generated for the food bank through the mixer.

“Food insecurity is at an all-time high and I’m proud to know that we were able to be a part of the solution,” he said.

Jachino added that the food bank spent about $100,000 on groceries earlier this year due to a drop in donations, a challenge she said that many nonprofit organizations in the area are also facing. Even so, longtime supporters and residents like Kate and Gil Albiani, along with local businesses such as Republic Services, as well as the city, the mayor and other elected officials, have stepped in to help fill the gaps as demand has surged.

That support was on full display Nov. 22 during the food bank’s annual Thanksgiving distribution at Creekside Christian Church, where thousands of turkeys and holiday sides were handed out. Food bank board members, staff, city officials and community volunteers arrived early to help load food into vehicles driving through to pick up food.

“Since the government shutdown, the Elk Grove Food Bank has seen a dramatic increase in clients and as mayor of the city, I sort of put out a call to a lot of my friends and donors to step up and help,” said Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen, who joined distribution efforts at Creekside alongside City Councilmember Darren Suen and Vice Mayor Sergio Robles.

 

Here are boxes of frozen turkeys for distribution at Creekside Christian Church on Nov. 22. 

Singh-Allen highlighted a $50,000 donation from Wilton Rancheria, along with about $50,000 raised from friends and supporters, emphasizing not only the importance of financial contributions but also the volunteers doing hands-on work to serve the community.

“It takes a community and what I’m proud of is look at the volunteers that are here. It takes all of us to help our neighbors and friends in need,” Singh-Allen said.

The Elk Grove Food Bank relies on ongoing support to sustain its operations, both through donations and volunteers. Non-perishable food items such as canned meats, peanut butter, pasta, rice and cereal are always in demand. The food bank is also seeking donations for culturally-diverse foods to better serve Elk Grove’s diverse population.

To learn more on how to help the food bank or about its services for those in need, visit elkgrovefoodbank.org or call 916-685-8453.