Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Announces Caitlin Sly as the New President and CEO Caitlin brings her extensive knowledge of fighting hunger in the community to the Food Bank CONCORD, CA, March 25, 2024 — The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano is excited to announce that Caitlin Sly will rejoin the organization as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. After an extensive national search for the last eight months, the Board of Directors and the Executive Leadership Team selected Sly to lead the Food Bank. Caitlin brings her extensive background in nonprofit leadership and passion ..read more

Ever wonder who helps pull all of those orders for the Food Bank’s agency partners at our warehouse? Meet Jim Alvarado, a warehouse associate at our Concord location. How long have you worked for the food bank?Nine years. What made you want to work at the Food Bank?I was on disability as an ironworker and I needed to do something to stay busy, so I volunteered twice a week for a year at the Food Bank and I liked it. When this job came up, I applied for it, got hired and retired from ironworking. What is your favorite hunger fighting memory?Getting hired! When I was volunteering with the Food B ..read more

We’re so excited to introduce you to our new Director of Programs! Chelo Gonzalez has a decade of hunger-fighting experience under her belt, and she’s seen the Food Bank from many different angles. In fact, she was originally one of our agency partners – providing food to our community through her church’s food pantry in Pittsburg.  We sat down to ask her about her path to the Food Bank, what she’s most excited to do in her new role … and more!   How did you become a hunger fighter? I was getting a Master’s in Organization Development at the University of San Francisco, and we had a ..read more

Have you ever looked through your cupboards and wondered “what could I make with this?!”  Our partners at the Fairfield-Suisun Adult School are making sure our neighbors won’t come home from their food pantry facing that problem. Each month, they partner with chefs from the community to showcase recipes our neighbors can make using the food you help provide.  Neighbors can enjoy a sample of the dish of the month while waiting for their turn to shop the food pantry – then take home the recipe to recreate in their own kitchens. At a recent demo, Chef Cheryl passed out servings of green ..read more

“Your loved one is here,” a volunteer says, and Donisha Patterson springs into action. Each week the Amadore Street Hope Center distributes food to more than 100 households in Vallejo. Most neighbors take home pre-packed bags, but for those with special health and dietary needs – like the older man who’s just arrived – organizer Donisha likes to take extra care.  “We might not have everything [he can eat], but I’ll give him what I have,” she says as she packs a special bag with peanut butter, oatmeal, applesauce and other foods that her neighbor is able to enjoy.  It’s just one of th ..read more

Volunteering is not only a way to give back and make positive change in your community – it’s also an opportunity to make new friends, and strengthen your existing bonds.  To celebrate the month of love, we asked Food Bank volunteers to tell us about the friends they’ve made volunteering, and the relationships they’ve deepened by fighting hunger together. Here’s what they had to say… Kathy and Tami Tami met Kathy while volunteering with seniors in her community and the two hit it off. “Kathy doesn’t drive, so when she told me she volunteers for the Food Bank and needed a ride I took her ..read more

Did you have your CalFresh benefits stolen electronically between October 1, 022 and November 30, 2023? You may be able to have your stolen benefits replaced – but you must submit a claim by Feb 29, 2024. CalFresh (known as SNAP in other states, formerly called food stamps) is a grocery assistance program for low-income families operated by California counties, and supervised by the state. Learn more. As part of our mission to end hunger, the Food Bank’s team of bilingual CalFresh experts helps neighbors apply for and navigate the requirements of this program. Rules around CalFresh benefit the ..read more

Happy new year! Although 2023 was a year of changes and urgent demand, YOU made a tremendous impact on the community all year long! We’ve rounded up 10 stories from our blog that show the challenges you rose to and the key moments of support that you helped make possible. 1. Farm Bill 2023: Advocating to Strengthen our Safety Net We joined hundreds of farmers, ranchers and agricultural workers from all over California to advocate for Farm Bill provisions that will bolster federal nutrition programs, including SNAP.  We’re continuing our Farm Bill advocacy in 2024 – check out this post to ..read more

Happy new year! Does your list of resolutions include finding ways to be healthier and happier in 2024? Look no further! Volunteering at the Food Bank can benefit your health – and change the lives of our neighbors. The health benefits of volunteering have been well-documented and findings are all in favor of giving back. Here are just a few of the ways volunteering makes us healthier and happier, according to reports from the Mayo Clinic and the University of Maryland: Improved mental and physical health Lower blood pressure, longer lifespans Broader social circles, better self-awareness Wh ..read more

Happy new year! We’ve been reflecting on all of the ways you helped us in 2023 – and the incredible impact you’ve made on your community.  In fact, we’re wondering if you realize just how much you made possible last year… so we made this quiz to test your knowledge. Get ready to give yourself a pat on the back! 1. How many neighbors have you helped the Food Bank provide food to every MONTH in recent months? 150,000  275,000 300,000 465,000 2. Where did you help make food available to our neighbors in need? Schools Soup kitchens Child care facilities Food pantries Senior centers Al ..read more