Author: Cady Osgood-Otis

Betania’s Story | A Better Life

May 31, 2017

It’s been said that all mothers have one true wish — to see their children grow and thrive. You can count San Francisco resident Betania among them, although her pathway to realizing this wish has more obstacles than most.

The single mother left her home in El Salvador a few months ago with hopes of building a better life for her children in the U.S.  As her family strives adapt to a new culture and Betania looks for  work, they are staying with an aunt who lives in San Francisco’s Excelsior neighborhood.

“It’s very difficult to be living in San Francisco as a single mom,” Bettina says. “There were days I wouldn’t eat any food just so I could be sure that my kids were okay. That’s how it should be though – making sure your kids have food first.”

Betania was relieved to find out that the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank operates a pantry at Hillcrest Elementary School, where her daughter attends second grade. Now she’s able to pick up 30 pounds of fresh groceries every Thursday when she dops her daughter off at school.

The biggest relief was when she learned that the Hillcrest pantry would stay open during the summer months, even when school is out of session.  “I don’t know what I was going to do without those groceries. But now I can count on the fresh produce and other items all summer long.”

The timing couldn’t be better. Betania describes her growing son’s hobbies as playing with a soccer ball and eating. “He loves all the fresh fruit that we get. I know that the chicken and other items will help him and his sister grow.”

Eager to find a good paying job, Betania searches every day, aiming to strike out on her own soon. With help from the Food Bank, she is less stressed about feeding her family, and has a little more breathing room to find a good job.

“Thank you, Food Bank! God has given you a heart to give out so much food and to help the community like this,” she says.

If you’re interested in helping someone like Betania nourish their children, click here and donate.

 

Meet Jayden, a Hunger Hero

May 26, 2017

Fifth grader Jayden and his family rely on weekly food assistance from the Food Bank, but his superpower is giving back. This little hero wakes up every Monday morning, two hours before school starts, to volunteer with his grandmother at their neighborhood food pantry.

When we asked him whether it’s hard to get up early, he says, “I do it to make sure that everyone who comes to school won’t be hungry.”

All year, kids like Jayden step up to help their families and community face hunger. But when schools close for the summer and families lose access to school meal programs, childhood hunger reaches its peak. Right now, proposed cuts to food assistance programs threaten to make childhood summer hunger even worse.

Luckily, today you have twice the power to fight childhood hunger. Through June 15th, PG&E is matching all gifts to the Food Bank. Please make a gift today and be a Summer Hunger Hero for kids like Jayden. Please donate here.

CalFresh Success Story | “Food stamps helped me stay in school.”

May 4, 2017

When 29-year-old Julia was in her last year of nursing school, she finally succumbed to the stark reality of her situation. Her husband had recently been laid off from his engineering job, and with bills piling up, the couple wasn’t sure if they could afford for Julia to finish school. They were also struggling to put food on the table for their kids.

“It got pretty scary for a while,” Julia recalls. “My husband and I were just trying to feed our family. We were so careful with our spending, but it just wasn’t enough.”  

After maxing-out their credit cards, Julia realized it was time to reach out for help. They applied for CalFresh, a federally-funded nutrition program (formerly called Food Stamps) that helps low-income households buy healthy foods.

Getting enrolled made a quick but lasting impact on Julia’s family. “I remember how we immediately all started eating better food. We’re talking about fruits and vegetables we had been skipping. And, food stamps helped me stay in school and earn my degree,” Julia says.

After Julia graduated, she landed a job as a labor and delivery nurse at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. With her steady income and her husband back at work, the family no longer needed CalFresh. But it’s not far from her mind: part of her job at the hospital is to help new mothers with financial challenges sign up for the program.

“If you’re not doing very well, and you’re not making enough money, CalFresh is one of the best ways to help you get by until you can get back on your feet.  It certainly helped me and my family get over the hump,” she says.

The Food Bank’s CalFresh Team is dedicated to getting eligible families like Julia’s connected to this valuable food assistance program. Last year, we helped 2,144 households apply for CalFresh, and families enrolled by the Food Bank were awarded over $5 million in benefits to buy groceries. Because CalFresh brings federal dollars into low-income communities, it is one of the best tools we have to end hunger.

Donate to our programs that help neighbors like Julia.

Learn more about our CalFresh Outreach. 

Thank you, Volunteers!

April 28, 2017

A message from Paul Ash, Executive Director

Happy National Volunteer Week!  This is the week when we at the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank celebrate our amazing volunteers – even more than we usually do.

Our staff has created a special video to thank our volunteers. Click below to view.

When I first came to the Food Bank nearly 30 years ago, I had one goal in mind – to end hunger here in our community. While our staff was small, the need for our services was not.  It was clear right from the start that we would need the support of volunteers.

Year after year, as we grow and innovate, volunteers continue to be the cornerstone of our work. They are essential connectors between the fresh food that arrives in our warehouses every day and the children, seniors and families who rely on us daily for nutritious food.  With the support of our volunteers, the Food Bank will nourish 225,000 neighbors this year. 

Because of our volunteers, we have never wavered in our belief that we can provide food for all. For that, we say thank you.

Nutrition Education | Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies

April 28, 2017

The day you find out you or your partner is pregnant is one of the true joys in life. It can also be a time of great stress, especially for first-time moms.   There are new health and nutrition issues to think about, not to mention big changes to your body and your lifestyle.

Fortunately, the Food Bank is here to help!  This year our Nutrition Education Team launched its first-ever Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Program.  It’s aimed at helping new mothers and their children be healthy and well nourished.  We are pleased to share the important nutrition tips that they are teaching moms.

When assembling a menu, pregnant women should look for “The Mighty Four”:

  1. Protein: found in lean meats, poultry and eggs, beans, seeds, nuts and nut butters, and tofu. Protein gives moms and babies the power to grow muscles and tissue, essential parts of a baby’s development
  2. Calcium: found in dairy, dark leafy greens, fish, and fortified cereals and beverages. Calcium keeps teeth and bones strong. If mothers do not get enough calcium during pregnancy, the developing baby uses calcium from the mother, making her bones weaker, which can lead to osteoporosis.
  3. Iron: found in dark leafy greens like spinach and kale, beans, and lean red meats. Iron helps create red blood cells, which are essential during pregnancy due to increased blood volume.
  4. Folic Acid: found in beans and legumes, dark greens, citrus, and nuts. Folic Acid is important for neural tube development, which later becomes the baby’s spinal cord.

“Good nutrition is essential during pregnancy, especially in the very first months,” said Nalleli Martinez, Senior Nutrition Education Coordinator for the Food Bank.  “Our hope is to provide tips and resources that will help moms and caregivers more easily make healthy food choices during and after pregnancy.”

Want nutrition tips for the whole family (whether you are expecting or not)? Sign up for our monthly newsletter here.

Food Banker Spotlight | Nalleli Martinez-Prieto

April 19, 2017

Meet Nalleli Martinez-Prieto, Senior Nutrition Education Coordinator

What does a typical day at the Food Bank look like for you?

When asked this question, I can honestly say there is no “typical day” within Nutrition Education. Our work encompasses such a wide array of programming. One day I can be updating signs with nutrition tips on our shop floor in San Francisco, the next I might be in Marin leading a class about whole grains for seniors, and the following day I’m at a San Francisco school leading a kid’s class about “eating the rainbow.” However, I can say that a typical day always includes some form of communication, not only with the community, but in the community, and that to me is gold!

What’s your favorite thing about working at the Food Bank?

Being constantly present in the community. I’ve never been a fan of sitting behind a desk, so frequently engaging in two-way learning with community members is what I appreciate the most. I like having the opportunity to create empowering environments for our class participants to help them elevate the skills they already have. When I get to witness their success in trying a new food or preparing a new meal, I know I’ve succeeded.

Have you been personally impacted by your experience at the Food Bank?

I grew up in a food desert and never really knew it. My neighborhood was surrounded by every fast food option you can think of and only one grocery store within walking distance from home. My mom didn’t drive back then and getting fresh food was always a mission. Back then, I never considered what a food bank could do for us, but now that I know, I’m an advocate for the work that we do. The Food Bank is a bridge that gives people the opportunity to struggle less. My family had limited access to healthy food and little to no knowledge of what “healthy” was, and so I now strive to  share with others the valuable resources that are available that I wish my family knew about. The Food Bank has shown me how to be a passionate advocate for the work that I do, and it’s one of the reasons that I enjoy serving the community.

What motivates you to do what you do?

The small successes experienced every day by our class participants and agency partners motivate me. Nutrition is such a personal topic, which is so important for me to acknowledge every time I step out into the community. For example, in a previous class, I had a participant share that she used to drink three sodas a day and she accomplished the goal of reducing that to one. Change looks very different for each individual, and when I can encourage that change, it motivates me to continue doing what I do.

What’s something people might not know about you?

I know that some people already know this about me, but I’m a gamer.  It’s a big part of my self-care. I make sure to set some time aside each year to attend gaming expos. I love the nature of immersive storytelling that can be experienced via gaming and if you’re ever interested in chatting about it, come find me!

Tell us your best joke.

I’m not a fan of jokes, but can I share my favorite quote? “May you live every day of your life.” — Jonathan Swift

Food Banker Spotlight | Henry Randolph

March 31, 2017

Meet Henry, Shop Floor Manager

What does a typical day at the Food Bank look like to you?

I start work at 5:30am every weekday morning on the shop floor, which is a separate part of the warehouse where dozens of nonprofit agencies are able to visit and pick up weekly groceries. These account holders include local churches, homeless shelters and community centers that help feed neighbors in need.  My first order of business is to start restocking the shopping floor shelves.  I’m also building orders for after-school programs.  At 8am, the Shop Floor opens and agency representatives start to arrive.  I assist the shoppers with their needs and do whatever else is asked throughout the warehouse to get food out to the community.

What’s your favorite thing about working at the Food Bank?

It gives me the opportunity to work with so many great people in the community and throughout the organization who all share the same common goal and moral obligation to help improve the quality of life of those in need.

Have you been personally impacted by your experience at the Food Bank?

Yes. Working here is like a dream come true. As a young boy growing up in SF in the 60’s and 70’s I saw the struggles and heartaches that individuals and families faced in the communities that I lived in.  I made a commitment to myself at an early age to give a hand to those who are less fortunate. Working here at the Food Bank for the past 20 years has helped me to fulfill one of my life goals.

What motivates you to do what you do?

I love providing services to people in need, it’s a great feeling and very rewarding. I truly care about the communities of San Francisco, a city I love dearly.

What’s something people might not know about you?

I was an All-City and All-State high school basketball player, as well as an All American JUCO player. One year I lead the state in rebounds.  I was also nominated to tryout for the 1976 Men’s Olympic Basketball team.

Tell us your best joke.

Knock! Knock? Who’s there? Handoff. Handoff who?  Handoff to Randolph!!!

UPDATE:

The Food Bank is proud to announce the Henry was recently chosen as a Walmart Community Playmaker for good deeds carried out in the community. Henry was handed the award, and honored before thousands of fans at a recent Golden State Warriors game.  Way to go Henry!

 

 

Betty Ann’s BFFs

March 20, 2017

In these fast-paced times, the way we connect with friends has been completely redefined. But for 94-year-old Betty Ann, connecting with friends the old-fashioned way is an important lifeline.

When the longtime San Francisco resident entered her 90s, she was living a pretty lonely existence. Her beloved husband, Murle, whom she married back in 1944, passed away from Parkinson’s Disease after they had been married over 60 years.

Her grandson moved in to help Betty Ann around the house, but something was missing: companionship with people closer to her age.

“A social worker suggested that with my fixed income it might be time to contact the local food bank to supplement my groceries,” she said. “He also promised that I would meet nice people and enjoy myself.”

Betty Ann took the advice to heart, and within a few weeks she was enrolled at the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank’s pantry at Ingleside Community Center, just a few blocks from her home. Before long, several friendships blossomed with other seniors whom she met at the pantry.

“I met Zakia, and Lita, and Jean, and Margaret. When they have a birthday, we save our money and go someplace for lunch,” Betty Ann said. “Friends are very important, especially at my age. They keep me happy.”

Betty is thankful for the money she saves by receiving food at the pantry. Her favorite food items are chicken, eggs and vegetables – ones that would cost the most if she purchased them on her own. Like many seniors, she is trying to remain in the city she knows and loves, as the cost of living continues to climb.

“Everything is pretty high right now – the utilities and everything,” she said. “Everything goes up and my income stays the same.”

What isn’t staying the same is the network of friends Betty Ann continues to build at the Ingleside Community Center pantry.

Do you know a senior who could benefit from healthy groceries and companionship? If so, check out our Food Locator feature on our website.  There, you’ll find information about our pantry network, our other programs, and instructions on how to sign up for food assistance.

Donate to programs that help neighbors like Betty Ann.

Nutrition Education: 3 Tips To Get Your Nutrition On!

March 3, 2017

March is National Nutrition Month, a perfect time to celebrate and highlight one of the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank’s organizational values: improving nutrition for our community members. Here are three things our Nutrition Education team suggests you can do to make healthier choices:

Incorporate MyPlate into your meal routine  

  • Make sure that half of what you eat in a day is fruits and vegetables. Fresh, frozen or canned produce can all help you meet that goal.
  • Choose lean proteins such as beans, chicken, tofu, turkey, eggs, nuts, seeds, and fish.
  • Although not every meal needs to include all five food groups, try your best to include as many food groups as possible in each meal. Ideally, meals should include at least three of the five food groups, and snacks should include two of the five

 

Read nutrition labels (Here are a few tips for gleaning the best information)

  • Labels only show the nutritional facts for “1” serving, so be sure to check the serving size! For example, you may be surprised to learn that just 1/2 cup counts as a full serving of cereal, so if you eat a full cup, you are getting double the calories and nutrients.
  • Percent Daily Values (% DVs) show if a food is high or low in certain nutrients. Five percent or less is considered low and 20% or more is considered high. For example, a serving that has 25% DV of sodium would be high in sodium
  • Ingredients are listed by weight, with the highest weight at the top of the list. If sugar (or another name for sugar) is listed as one of the top three ingredients, know that the item is going to have high sugar content, and so, it may be best to avoid choosing that product.

Choose whole grains

  • Adding grains to your daily meal routine is important, but make sure you’re consuming whole grains whenever possible. They’re higher in fiber, keep you feeling fuller for a longer period of time, and also aid your digestion.
  • Don’t let the packaging or colors fool you! To make sure that you’re actually choosing whole-grain products, make sure that the top ingredient on your ingredient list says the word “whole.”
  • Whole grains include brown rice, oats, and whole-wheat pasta. We recommend that half of your daily grains are whole grains.
  • Fun fact: Whole grains have three layers, each contributing essential nutrients for our body.

 

Want more nutrition tips like these?  Sign up for our monthly eNewsletter and/or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Remedios’ Story | Full House, Much Love

March 1, 2017

Remedios looks back on her life just three short years ago and can’t believe all the things that have transpired since then.  It started with her adult daughter dying unexpectedly, leaving behind a grieving husband and 10 children.  Her daughter’s husband and children did their best to get up in the morning, get dressed, and keep going, but it was clear they were struggling to stay afloat.

With her grandchildren’s well-being at stake, Remedios did the only thing she could think of:  she made room in her modest home for her grandchildren and her son in law. And then she said a prayer.

“I have to be positive. It’s hard, but I know I have to take it one day at a time,” she said. “My daughter left us, and we have to deal with that, but thankfully, God is on our side, and so is the Food Bank.”

Remedios’ weekly routine of visiting the food pantry at the Ingleside Community Center is one way the family is moving forward after their loss. Picking up fresh groceries and visiting with neighbors at the food pantry every Thursday has helped rebuild a sense of safety and security for her grandchildren, who range in age from six to 18.

Since Remedios and her husband are in their 80s and live on a fixed income, getting supplemental food from the pantry is essential for nourishing their fast-growing grandchildren. Like most kids, they have big appetites.

“Oh my goodness, they are unbelievable,” Remedios said. “Twenty-four hours a day they are always in the kitchen! Especially during the rainy season…oh, they want to eat again and again and again!”

Remedios especially appreciates all of the fresh produce she receives at the pantry because getting the kids to eat healthy is very important to her. She said, “I am very thankful for the food, and I make extra sure that It goes a long way.”