Food Bank volunteer Nancy Milano sees the free food program as an important security net for the many Mendocino Coast residents living on the edge.
The number of hungry people seeking help this holiday season is up 17 percent, according to Executive Director Nancy Severy.
“The veneer in this society that separates the haves” from the have-nots” is very thin. Many people are just a paycheck away from bankruptcy, poverty and hunger. Many people also have medical problems and are unable to work. There are so many stories; but for whatever reason, the Food Bank is there to help them as much as they can,” Milano said.
The Food Bank currently has 32 active volunteers, who are the keys to getting the food distributed quickly to longer lines of the needy.
“Our volunteers make our operation work,” said Jean Jones, client coordinator at the Food Bank. “Without them we would not be able to do the things we do.
“These are the local volunteers; we also have sub-sites (Point Arena, Gualala, Covelo, Leggett, etc.) that distribute food throughout the county. They make it happen in those areas,” said Jones.
Milano says the rewards for helping with the hunger issue through the Food Bank are immediate.
“We must try to take care of our neighbors and the businesses and private individuals who do so, reap the rewards in their own personal well-being,” she said.
Jones said the volunteers are like a family, working together and then sitting down at the holiday dinner table.
“Some of these volunteers have been with us for over 20 years. Marie [Russert] uses a walker to get around and still comes in to volunteer. She”s our egg lady,” said Jones.
“Yukie [Holland] sees to it that we have a hot meal for our volunteers each day that we are open, and we sit down and eat together like a family,” Jones said.
Some volunteers are also clients. Some clients become volunteers. Although not among the hungry today, Milano has had personal experience with want.
“We didn”t have much money when I was a child, after World War II. I was raised by my mother, which was an anomaly in those days.”
Milano is just in her second year and says others have contributed much more. She says there are a “bazillion” things volunteers do every day.
“Everything from filling bags, to sorting vegetables, waiting on clients, sorting out large quantities into manageable portions, washing dishes, bagging coffee or just sorting cans,” Milano said.
Jones encourages people to join the fun.
“We are always taking applications for volunteers, as we are always in need. Some days we need more than others, but you always have the option to call in the morning to see if you will be needed or not. It”s hard work, but the rewards are great,” said Jones.
Milano said some of the food contributed is truly top quality. “We see fabulous organic or gourmet food,” but not all fits that description “Leftover candy from the holiday — cringe,” she said.
“I would always love to see better quality food given, just as I would like to be able to afford better quality items for myself. It can”t always happen, but when it does, it”s great,” Milano added.
She says the visible outpouring of holiday spirit by local people is refreshing.
“The amount of food given during the holidays by individuals is amazing.”
The Food Bank does have a nutritionist, available to the public, who gives classes to teach people how to make the most of their foods.
How does one become a food bank volunteer?
To apply you go to the front office and ask for a volunteer application,” explained Jones
“You fill it out at that time, or take it home, fill it out and bring it back. It is checked over, and if we need help at that time, we put you on the floor,” Jones continued. “You are taken to the kitchen and introduced to Gary [Watkins] and Yukie. They will show you what to do. You sign in and out when you leave in order to keep track of your hours.”
Food Bank Hours
The Food Bank office, 910 N. Franklin St., Fort Bragg, is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. It is closed on Tuesday.
Food is given out on Monday and Friday from noon to 3 p.m., and on Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m., with a special time for seniors from 10:45 to 11:15 a.m. all three days.
For more information, call 964-9404 or email foodbank@mcn.org.
How to help financially
Beginning in 1995, the Advocate-News and The Mendocino Beacon began sponsoring “Season of Sharing,” an annual community fund-raiser for the Food Bank.
Of the 60 or so very worthy non-profit organizations serving the area, the newspapers” publisher, Sharon Brewer, always puts her full support behind the Food Bank”s efforts, “Because they are addressing the most basic problems facing so many — hunger.”
“We support many community causes, but the Food Bank”s cause is the one we get entirely behind,” says Brewer. “We can”t address other problems, if hunger isn”t addressed first.”
Once again the Community Foundation of Mendocino County is administering the newspapers” fund-raiser free of charge, 100 percent of every donation to directly benefit the Food Bank.
Checks should be addressed to the Community Foundation of Mendocino County (CFMC), and mailed to Advocate-News, P.O. Box 1188, Fort Bragg, 95437, or The Mendocino Beacon, P.O. Box 225, Mendocino 95460. Donations may also be dropped by the newspaper office, located at 450 N. Franklin St., Fort Bragg.
The newspapers provide weekly updates on the total dollars raised, with the names of contributing individuals and businesses, unless they wish to remain anonymous. The fund-raiser runs through Jan. 31, 2007.
This week”s update
As of Tuesday afternoon, the Season of Sharing had raised $1,273.
Here”s the list of contributors who sent checks last week: Ginnette Messick, The Helping Hens and Marie Cattalini.
