In the Adult Education program at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS), volunteers sit side by side with the clients they are assisting, often developing rapport and trust with one another. Volunteers are essential in creating a welcoming, nonjudgmental learning environment. Two of the friendly volunteers one may encounter in the Adult Education program at SFBFS’ main facility in Oak Park are Leslie Marria and George Langley. This dynamic duo has been carpooling from Folsom to Oak Park for the last two years to volunteer. But don’t call them tutors. “I don’t consider myself a tutor,” says Leslie. “We’re doing a lot of mentoring.” George agrees. “We don’t teach people, we help the

The third annual Race for the Ring is coming to Sacramento on May 21, 2011. This text messaged based treasure hunt on bike through downtown Sacramento is sponsored by Rogers Jewelry Company and directly benefits programs at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. Teams of two will pedal, scoot and wheel their way through downtown Sacramento guided by text message clues in search of over $35,000 in prizes. Each week leading up to the event, we will interview someone who is involved in the race to find out why they are racing for a reason. This week’s interview is with Tessie Ernst, who has worked for the Xerox Corporation for 24 years and is currently on a one year Social Service Leave of

Charlotte Hansen is one of those “can’t live without her” volunteers. She has been volunteering at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) in the Mother-Baby program for just over one year, and the program staff cannot imagine the program without her. “Her commitment to the Mother-Baby program is fantastic,” says Lorena Carranza, Mother-Baby program manger. “She does it all.” Indeed, Charlotte wears many hats in the Mother-Baby program. She can be found on Mondays and Thursdays in the Mother-Baby clothing area, sorting baby clothing, hanging items, talking to new mothers and babies, training volunteers, and more. You may also find her sitting down with a new parent in the mentoring

The third annual Race for the Ring is coming to Sacramento on May 21, 2011. This text messaged based treasure hunt on bike through downtown Sacramento is sponsored by Rogers Jewelry Company and directly benefits programs at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. Teams of two will pedal, scoot and wheel their way through downtown Sacramento guided by text message clues in search of over $35,000 in prizes. Each week leading up to the event, we will interview someone who is involved in the race to find out why they are racing for a reason. This week’s interview is with Jackie Goree, the Database Manager at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services.  She has been an employee with SFBFS for a ye

What do Joe’s Crab Shack and Cinco de Mayo have in common? Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services' fundraiser night, of course! Please come out and join the fun on Thursday, May 5 between 5:00pm and 11:00pm. You can enjoy a delicious meal while helping raise funds for a worthy cause. Simply bring THIS FLIER with you to dinner and present it to your server. It is that easy. At the end of the night, 10% of your evening’s total will be donated to Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. We included three coupons on this flier so you can post a few at work, give one to a friend or share with a fellow diner. Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services has been making a difference in our community si

The third annual Race for the Ring is coming to Sacramento on May 21, 2011. This text messaged based treasure hunt on bike through downtown Sacramento is sponsored by Rogers Jewelry Company and directly benefits programs at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. Teams of two will pedal, scoot and wheel their way through downtown Sacramento guided by text message clues in search of over $35,000 in prizes. Each week leading up to the event, we will interview someone who is involved in the race to find out why they are racing for a reason. Today's interview is with Pat McManus, a volunteer from last year’s event. Pat was born in the Midwest, but moved to Sacramento in 1987. She and her husb

The third annual Race for the Ring is coming to Sacramento on May 21, 2011. This text messaged based treasure hunt on bike through downtown Sacramento is sponsored by Rogers Jewelry Company and directly benefits programs at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. Teams of two will pedal, scoot and wheel their way through downtown Sacramento guided by text message clues in search of over $35,000 in prizes. Each week leading up to the event, we will interview someone who is involved in the race to find out why they are racing for a reason. Interview with Chris Wallis, a  participant in last year's event and a member of the 2nd place finishing team in the 2009 event. Chris is a researcher an

The third annual Race for the Ring is coming to Sacramento on May 21, 2011. This text messaged based treasure hunt on bike through downtown Sacramento is sponsored by Rogers Jewelry Company and directly benefits programs at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. Teams of two will pedal, scoot and wheel their way through downtown Sacramento guided by text message clues in search of over $35,000 in prizes. Each week leading up to the event, we will interview someone who is involved in the race to find out why they are racing for a reason. This week’s interview is with Lily Calderon-Huezo, a full time student at the Art Institute of California, Sacramento majoring in Game Art and Design. Li

The third annual Race for the Ring is coming to Sacramento on May 21, 2011. This text messaged based treasure hunt on bike through downtown Sacramento is sponsored by Rogers Jewelry Company and directly benefits programs at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. Teams of two will pedal, scoot and wheel their way through downtown Sacramento guided by text message clues in search of over $35,000 in prizes. Each week leading up to the event, we will interview someone who is involved in the race to find out why they are racing for a reason. Interview with Jason Hone, who placed in last year's event with his wife Stephanie. Both Jason and Stephanie hail from Southern California’s Inland Empir

Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) embarks on a new partnership with the EarthSave International, a non-profit organization that will launch an exciting new program called Meals For Health (MFH) on April 8, 2011. MFH is a 30-day intervention that provides low-income families with education and support to eat a healthy, low-fat, plant-strong diet in order to dramatically improve their health. There is no cost to participants and all support, food (donated by Whole Foods) and materials will be provided. MFH participants are individuals who currently receive services from one of SFBFS’ programs such as Adult Education, Mother-Baby or Women’s Wisdom Art. Health improvements, weigh

During the Christmas season of 2009 a strong desire came over Becky Starr to help a family in need. She knew she wanted to give back somehow and immediately went on-line in search of volunteer opportunities. Having worked in the food industry for 30 years, Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) seemed like an obvious fit.   However, after attending SFBFS’ volunteer orientation, Becky realized she might fit better into the services offered in the Mother-Baby program. “I have a four year old granddaughter and a two year old grandson that live in Champaign, IL and I don’t get to see them much,” confesses Becky. “I liked the idea of working with women and children, so when the Volunte

The third annual Race for the Ring is coming to Sacramento on May 21, 2011. This text messaged based treasure hunt on bike through downtown Sacramento is sponsored by Rogers Jewelry Company and directly benefits programs at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. Teams of two will pedal, scoot and wheel their way through downtown Sacramento guided by text message clues in search of over $35,000 in prizes. Each week leading up to the event, we will interview someone who is involved in the race to find out why they are racing for a reason. Interview with Tom and Jessica Pearson, finishers in last year's event. Tom hails from eastern Washington and fancies himself a bit of a mountain man. Je

Fans of TV’s globetrotting race game can now test their game play right here in Sacramento! Rogers Jewelry Company is preparing to host the 3rd annual Race for the Ring on May 21, 2011 to benefit Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS). 2,000 Sacramento area residents are expected to turn out for this exciting, location-based game where clues and answers are sent via text messages. Participants race from location to location in Downtown and Mid-town on foot and bike solving riddles and challenges while earning points. The team with the most points at the end wins! Prizes include over $30,000 worth of jewelry from Rogers Jewelry Company. The $40 registration fee for any team include

Father Dan Madigan founded Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) in the basement of his Oak Park church in 1976. Pained by watching so many people go hungry on the streets of Sacramento, he called together a small cadre of compassionate volunteers to tackle the problem. Over time, the number of facilities, staff and volunteers grew to meet the ever increasing need in Sacramento. His passion for helping individuals and families in need is still alive and well in the wide array of programs and services offered by SFBFS. SFBFS currently operates two large facilities, in Oak Park and in North Sacramento, serving neighborhoods with families experiencing some of the highest rates of po

The third annual Race for the Ring is coming to Sacramento on May 21, 2011. This text messaged based treasure hunt on bike through downtown Sacramento is sponsored by Rogers Jewelry Company and directly benefits programs at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. Teams of two will pedal, scoot and wheel their way through downtown Sacramento guided by text message clues in search of over $35,000 in prizes. Each week leading up to the event, we will interview someone who is involved in the race to find out why they are racing for a reason. Interview with Peter Skipper, a finisher in last year's event. Peter teaches 5th grade math in Brooklyn, New York. In his free time, Peter writes screenp

The third annual Race for the Ring is coming to Sacramento on May 21, 2011. This text messaged based treasure hunt on bike through downtown Sacramento is sponsored by Rogers Jewelry Company and directly benefits programs at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. Teams of two will pedal, scoot and wheel their way through downtown Sacramento guided by text message clues in search of over $35,000 in prizes. Each week leading up to the event, we will interview someone who is involved in the race to find out why they are racing for a reason. Interview with Cristina Stoyle , a participant in last year's event. Cristina is the Veterinary Advocacy Coordinator for Humane Society Veterinary Medica

The thrid annual Race for the Ring is coming to Sacrament on May 21, 2011. This text messaged based treasure hunt on bike through downtown Sacramento is sponsored by Rogers Jewelry Co and directly benefits programs at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. Teams of two will pedal, scoot and wheel their way through downtown Sacramento guided by text message clues in search of over $35,000 in prizes. Each week leading up to the event, we will interview someone who is involved in the race to find out why they are racing for a reason. Interview with Dave Katten participant in last year's event. A bit about our racer Former Sacramento resident and connoisseur of fine Californian burgers. Oh

The thrid annual Race for the Ring is coming to Sacrament on May 21, 2011. This text messaged based treasure hunt on bike through downtown Sacramento is sponsored by Rogers Jewelry Co and directly benefits programs at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. Teams of two will pedal, scoot and wheel their way through downtown Sacramento guided by text message clues in search of over $35,000 in prizes. Each week leading up to the event, we will interview someone who is involved in the race to find out why they are racing for a reason. Interview with Michelle McCauley, contestant in last year's event. A bit about our racer Michelle grew up in Southern California and moved to Northern Califo

After graduating from Chapman University with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science and Criminal Justice, Christina Ubaldo began working in the childcare department of a local gym in early 2010. She enjoyed working with children, but saw the role as temporary employment until she could return to school to further her education. She worked well with children and adults alike and was quickly promoted to Childcare Manager, even helping to open a new location. However, by February 2010, Christina decided to make a change. She quit her job to pursue her dream of attending law school. While researching schools, filling out applications and preparing personal statements, Christina sought a way t

The Volunteer Spirit Awards are a yearly opportunity for organizations throughout Sacramento to recognize the accomplishments of outstanding volunteers. On October 29, 2010, staff and volunteers from various programs at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) attended the 10th Annual Volunteer Spirit Awards luncheon the Grand Ballroom in downtown Sacramento. This event, put on by the Volunteer Center of Sacramento, is the largest volunteer recognition ceremony honoring Sacramento area volunteers. Nominees come from a wide range of local agencies, with areas of volunteerism ranging from education, animals, heath, family services, hospitals, seniors, counseling and more. SFBFS program