About Us
Overview
Many of the people who seek our help have been keeping their heads above water until something unexpected happens. Car expenses. Medical bills. Higher gas prices. Reduced hours at work. River City Food Bank helps many people who are “working poor”, as well as people on fixed incomes and those facing serious illnesses. Click here to read more about our history and mission.
Supporting Partners
River City Food Bank extends thanks to all of their supporting partners:
Staff and Board of Directors
River City Food Bank is a grass-roots community effort, but these professionals make sure that our program is run with integrity and efficiency. Meet our small but mighty team:
Eileen Thomas
Executive Director
Eileen has deep roots in the Sacramento community, as a fourth generation resident. After serving as the admissions director for a local Catholic girls’ high school, Eileen joined RCFB as its executive director in 2003. Eileen sees the executive director position as a way to use her professional skills, and serve others in need.
Steve Anderson
Program Director
Since 1998, Steve has run the day-to-day operation of River City Food Bank, overseeing the process of client intake (to verify eligibility), food distribution and other services. Steve has a deep understanding of the reasons people need help from organizations like RCFB, having served as an RCFB volunteer before being invited to become a staff member.
Edith Martinez
Food Stamp Outreach Coordinator
Edith grew up in the Bay Area and attended UC Davis, where she became involved in a clinic serving the uninsured population of Sacramento. Upon graduation, she sought to continue to serve the Sacramento community. As Food Stamp Outreach Coordinator for River City Food Bank, her goal is to reach out to families and individuals in need and to help those who are eligible for Food Stamps enroll and access healthy food for their families.
Paula Jenkins
Administrative Assistant
Officers |
Board Members |
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| Jordan Blair, President Jesuit High SchoolDoug Bayless, Vice President Bayless Properties, Inc.Diane Cummins, Treasurer State of California (retired)Kevin Davis, Secretary BoutinJones, Inc. |
Garry Cox Westminster Presbyterian Church (retired)Matt Decker, J.D. Downey BrandSusan Doris Results Marketing and PRJoe Mendez Goodwill Industries of Sacramento Valley & Northern Nevada, Inc.Jiwon Jeong Pricewaterhouse CoopersBritt Olson (TRC), Secretary Episcopal Diocese of Northern California |
Kiren Rizvi, M.P.A. Sutter Medical FoundationChris Swanson Sutter Medical Center, SacramentoSusan Timmer, PhD UCD Medical CenterMarion Welch, DCA Board of Barbering & CosmetologyTony Whittaker CB Richard Ellis |
FAQ
What is River City Food Bank?
What are River City Food Bank’s plans in the wake of the October 2010 fire?
Where does the money come from to operate River City Food Bank?
Why is River City Food Bank needed, if there are other food banks?
How is the face of hunger changing?
Does food assistance encourage dependence?
What does RCFB provide to people who are looking for food assistance?
Who is eligible to receive food assistance from RCFB?
How can volunteers get involved?
How can an organization sponsor a food drive?
How can people donate to River City Food Bank?
How much of each donated dollar goes to overhead?
Does River City Food Bank coordinate its activities with other charitable organizations?
Is River City Food Bank affiliated with a church?
What is River City Food Bank?
A community-based 501 (c)(3) that serves anyone experiencing hunger, from anywhere in Sacramento County. RCFB offers a nutritionally-balanced three-day emergency food supply up to once a month to those who are eligible. River City Food Bank is the only Sacramento-area food bank that is open every weekday to anyone who lives in Sacramento County.
Based on our records up to the date of the October fire, River City Food Bank was projected to serve 41, 250 people by the end of 2010. The number of people seeking food assistance has been increasing steadily. The 2010 total is an increase of approximately 5,000 people over 2008.
What are River City Food Bank’s plans in the wake of the October 2010 fire?
Our first priority was to be able to resume distribution of three-day emergency food supplies. We were able to begin distribution out of a truck during our regular hours, thanks to Goodwill, eight days after the fire. On a temporary basis, we will operate in space donated by Sutter Medical Center at the corner of 27th and N Streets. We are also aggressively exploring options for our location, long-term. The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California, which allowed us to operate rent-free in their now burned-out building at 1322 27th Street, is also working on their long-term plans for the site.
Where does the money come from to operate River City Food Bank?
River City Food Bank is funded almost entirely by private donations and grants. Our supporters include businesses, community groups, foundations, and individuals, as well as a large number of faith-based organizations. FEMA has funded RCFB each year since 1997 through its Emergency Food and Shelter Fund. Senior Gleaners and Sacramento FoodLink help supply RCFB with food, along with businesses that provide day-old items, frozen food and fresh fruits and vegetables. Individuals and groups can help by donating non-perishable food, fresh fruits and vegetables and formula, baby food and diapers for families with infants and young children. Cash donations and grocery gift cards are also important to help fill out RCFB’s stock of nutritionally-balanced groceries.
Why is River City Food Bank needed, if there are other food banks?
River City Food Bank is different in two important ways. First, we are the only food closet that operates every weekday to provide nutritionally balanced food to people who live anywhere in Sacramento county. Most food closets serve a very limited geographic area defined by zip codes. Several food closets, for example, serve the downtown area, but recent data collected by the prominent Brookings Institution shows that there are as many poor people now living in suburbs as there are in inner cities (even though the percentage is higher in central cities). As another point of difference, we put a lot of effort into trying to provide a three day supply of nutritionally balanced food. It’s easy to send someone away with bags full of carbohydrates, but we are trying to provide food that is healthy and more nutritious — food that is fuel for children who are growing and in school, and fuel for hard-working adults! We often provide recipes, too, in case someone hasn’t used a particular ingredient that we supplied.
How is the face of hunger changing?
When the recession began, the number of people looking for food assistance jumped. The need for help continues to grow, but now we see people who have never needed help before. Their hours or pay has been cut and they are taking advantage of food banks so that they can keep up with rent and utilities. Seniors, too, are facing the brutal choice of paying for life-sustaining medication or getting enough to eat. Hunger is often associated with homelessness, but the reality is that people who experience hunger are young and old, suburban and urban, working and non-working. One in six children in America live at the poverty line – which the federal government defines as a having income below $22,050 for a family of four. About 30 percent of the meals distributed by River City Food Bank goes to feed children.
Does food assistance encourage dependence?
The assistance given by River City Food Bank is intended to foster self-sufficiency, by helping someone get through a rough time. Many of the people who seek our help have been keeping their heads above water until recently. Three-day emergency food supplies from River City Food Bank can help people get by, so that they can remain independent. A little help, and a little compassion, can make a big difference.
What does RCFB provide to people who are looking for food assistance?
A family or individual who reports income at or below the poverty line can receive a three-day supply of nutritionally-balanced food up to once a month from our location on 27th Street, between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. each weekday. Families with small children also receive non-food items such as diapers, baby food and formula.
Who is eligible to receive food assistance from RCFB?
Anyone who lives in Sacramento County and reports that they or their dependents are living at or below the federal poverty line. Adults are asked to show photo identification and medical IDs or birth certificates for all dependents.
How can volunteers get involved?
RCFB volunteers contribute 11,000 hours to stock food, prepare three-day food supplies, help with client intake and computer data-entry, and support administrative activities and education. Most volunteer opportunities are on weekdays. Click here for many ways to volunteer.
