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DID YOU KNOW. . .
that children make up the largest group of those at risk of hunger in our community? There are 9,762 children living in poverty in Sonoma County according to the latest statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau. |
Make a Difference!
Get Involved with JUMP's Hunger and Homelessness Programs
(Formerly known as Serving Our Unfed People (SOUP))
Redwood Empire Food Bank – (REFB) was founded in 1987 and is Sonoma County's largest hunger-relief organization. They serve approximately 60,000 and 37.2% of those individuals are children. REFB provides food through The Agency Shopping Program, whichprovides food to 133 member charities that operate 223 programs serving people in need. Sonoma State students will help bag groceries and help client’s food shop. Volunteers sort and package food for REFB to send to local food pantries.
The Redwood Empire Food Bank runs Wednesdays from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm. Volunteers should meet at the flagpole in front of Person Theater at 5:00 pm. For more information about the non-profit visit, http://www.refb.org. To sign up to volunteer contact, Ellie at ssu.refb@gmail.com or (707) 664-4277.
Family Support Center – This comprehensive shelter program supports homeless families with: food, shelter, medical screenings, employment and housing counseling, and services designed to move clients to stable housing. Children benefit from after school and evening activities while parents pursue parenting classes, a 12-step program, and/or counseling. Sonoma State volunteers serve meals at the Center, as well as assist with child care. Volunteers serve food to the 130 people staying at the Family Support
Center. Serving dinners runs on Mondays from 4:45 pm – 5:30 pm, and Fridays from 5:00 – 5:45. Volunteers should meet at the flagpole in front of Person Theater by 4:25 pm on Mondays and Fridays. For childcare, Volunteers entertain and engage children staying at the Family Support
Center while parents are in meetings. Volunteers go to Childcare Monday and
Thursdays from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm. For more information about the non-profit visit, http://www.srcharities.org. To get involved in either of these programs, contact Michelle and Cassandra at ssu.ccfsc@gmail.comor (707) 664-4277.
Salvation Army Family Services – Salvation Army has been serving the Santa Rosa area since 1889. This non-profit provides a plethora of social and spiritual services. The Family Services program Sonoma State students will be volunteering with is the Food Pantry Program. Volunteers will sort, bag and give clients food, which has been donated from corporations, such as Costco and Starbucks, and non-profits, such as Redwood Empire Food Bank.Volunteers sort, package, and provide food to families who qualify for
Salvation Army’s monthly food distribution program. Salvation Army Family Services runs Fridays from 9 am - 12 pm. Volunteers should meet at the flagpole at 8:30 am. Note: this program does not currently have a regular driver. If you are interested in particpating in this program and you have a car, please contact Michelle Zarate at ssu.meals@gmail.com or (707) 664-4277.
* Carpool is provided for each of these program. Please meet at the flagpole and wear closed-toed shoes if you’ll be working with food.
If you would like to be added to the email list or if you have ideas for more Hunger and Homelessness Programs, please contact Director of Hunger and Homelessness Programs, Alex Bush at ssu.endhunger@gmail.com or (707) 664-4277.
Some SOUPer Links:
National Student Campaign Against Hunger & Homelessness
http://www.nscahh.org/
National Coalition for the Homeless
http://www.nationalhomeless.org
Oxfam America
http://www.oxfamamerica.org
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