February Volunteer Updates

Happy February - We appreciate you! Historically, this time of year had been hard to find enough volunteers but you all continue to keep the holiday giving season momentum going. We are excited to share the ways that your time has impacted the Redwood Empire Food Bank over the last few months.

• In 2022, you helped us feed more than 117,000 people needing food assistance, providing 21 million meals worth of food.
• Since last fall, our W5 (participant check-in) volunteers have helped us identify the military status of participants at our food distributions. This data will help the Redwood Empire Food Bank better serve and connect with the Veteran population in our community who are in need of our services.
• Chef Don and his devoted group of volunteers have 1,000s un-brie-leavable On-the-Spot snacks in our Kitchen Collective program. These nutritious snacks are made with love! Talk about cooking from the heart, check out this fantastic interview with Chef and ABC7 news. 
• Our very own volunteer Russ D. made the news in December! He shared his empowering story about life after a stroke and volunteering with the Redwood Empire Food Bank. "We all bring our strengths and limitations," Davidson said. "And for me, what it does is, it's given me some confidence back. And it enables me to serve the public once again, which is something I've made a lifetime out of doing." You can watch his interview at CBS News 
• Stay up to date with all of the latest Redwood Empire Food Bank news and media coverage on our website!

Announcements

Civil Rights Training- In compliance with the California Department of Social Services, the Redwood Empire Food Bank is required to have each of its volunteers complete the Civil Rights training each year. The goal of the Civil Rights training is to ensure fairness and equity of treatment and benefit delivery to the participants we serve. To complete the Civil Rights form, please initial next to each section and sign the 'Level 1 Training Certification' section. Completed forms can be printed and returned to the Redwood Empire Food Bank, handed to your distribution site coordinator, or emailed to Kai at kporter@refb.org. Download and sign: Civil Rights Training English -PDF

Holiday Closure- The Redwood Empire Food Bank will be closed and will not have food distributions on Monday, February 20th in observance of President's Day. 

Sonoma County Restaurant Week- Good food and good deeds - the perfect combination! During Sonoma County Restaurant Week (Feb. 20-26), dine at participating restaurants and support the Redwood Empire Food Bank with a donation. Anyone who donates will be entered to win restaurant gift cards, wine experiences, and other prizes! Visit http://socorestaurantweek.org to check out the menus and make your reservations!

Kitchen Collective- Our Kitchen Collective has a new schedule! We are now open Tuesday-Saturday and would love to have your helping hands as we prepare On-the-Spot nutrition for our participants waiting in line for food. Food handlers certificates are required and easy to obtain. Please reach out to Liz at Lberry@refb.org for more information.  

Volunteer Love:

Keep Punching out Hunger for a chance to win one of February's prizes! 

$50 Mary's Pizza Shack Gift Certificate

$25 The Wurst Gift Certificate

$15 Swirl Time Gift Certificate 

February Spotlight- This month we'd like to spotlight three of our amazing volunteers: Dannie, Zuli, and Leslie. These ladies have been volunteering together with the Redwood Empire Food Bank for over 3 years. Zuli and Leslie are both students who are committed to serving their community. Dannie has been helping at our Food Connections Resource Center multiple days a week. The three are likely to be found together helping at a Distribution Site where they have been trained in W5 sign-ins. They have also enjoyed helping distribute Summer Lunch meals and support distributions as far as Lake and Mendocino Counties. Thank you, Dannie, Zuli, and Leslie for your continued support to end hunger in our community!

Are you feeling Lucky? In addition to the Punch Out Hunger raffles, we have started going to two random distribution sites a month to raffle off some Redwood Empire Food Bank branded swag. In January, we held pop-up raffles at the Santa Rosa Vets AM & PM distributions. So far in February, we've done our first raffle at the Redbud Park distribution in Clearlake! Will you be at the next raffle? 

Hunger Relief Volunteers on Facebook! A group made for volunteers just like you. Be a part of the conversation and meet others who volunteer at the Redwood Empire Food Bank. https://www.facebook.com/groups/redwoodempirefoodbankvolunteer/