Twin Lakes Food Bank Visit

Last Tuesday we went to visit the Twin Lakes Food Bank in Folsom and were welcomed by the director, Tammy.  She informed us about the program she is running.  Everyday, Twin Lake's trucks pick up the extra food from Raleys, Whole Foods, and Savemart and then re-use it for the needy families in Folsom and our surrounding areas.  The people in need are welcomed any day of the week from 9-12:30 and Tuesday nights from 4-7.  Those families are provided with a months worth of groceries, clothes, purses, and anything from diapers to shaving cream.  Twin Lakes usually gets around 70-80 people per day.  This program holds a huge event on Good Friday every year where they give over 600 families an Easter dinner bag and Easter baskets for the kids.  Thanks to the community, Twin Lakes is able to provide such a great service for the families.  Anybody is able to donate their goods, so don't forget to drop off your used clothing or extra groceries at anytime!

While we were there, it was surprising to learn how many people use this food bank in our area.  Families are dependant upon this bank for their groceries. We have never had to worry about running out of food for the month. Many hours of hard work are put in for these people to have fresh milk, produce, and eggs everyday.  The organization is run by dedicated volunteers that inspired us.  Twin Lakes Food Bank opened our eyes to poverty going on around the corner and how easily it is to jump in and help.

During our visit, we were able to capture a few shots of this outstanding organization. 

-Lindsay Lee and Audrey Hayden

Oak Ridge High School Seniors

MLK Day is about serving others...

Martin Luther King Jr was an important man who taught others the importance of equality and helping others.  Every year, Hands4Hope likes to do our Homeless Outreach on this Monday to participate in celebrating him and his teachings!

Our volunteers put together more than 200 sack lunches filled with bean burritos, chips, a cookie and a piece of fruit to feed the homeless.  Then, we all carpooled down to Sacramento to feed those who were hungry.

"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity."

~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Youth Volunteer Spotlight: Dylan & Sam

Dylan (left) and Sam

Brothers Dylan & Sam started volunteering with Hands4Hope to fulfill school requirements, but quickly learned they love being a part of Hands4Hope and getting out in their community.

12 year old Dylan says Homeless Outreach Sacramento is his favorite event to volunteer at. "I was kind of scared at first but then I liked talking to them. It made me feel happy because they're funny and special," he said. "[Being on the street] has taught me not to judge or make guesses about people," he said. "Some people are born into this but I don't need to judge people, I just need to help them."

10 year old Sam says he also loves the Homeless Outreach, the Food Bank Blitz, but recently he had a unique experience at our Winter Boutique. "One time while I was sorting clothes, I saw a kid from my school come in [to receive free assistance]. It made me realize kids at my own school didn't have enough money for clothes," he said. "At first, I wasn't friends with him, but now I have a better understanding about him."

Both boys said volunteering has made them realize how fortunate they are. "I love volunteering, it teaches you to be more generous and compassionate," Dylan said. "I never realized I could make a difference, but little actions can make a big change."

"I thought it was normal to have a house and family, and now I have realized not everyone does," said Sam.

Both boys have spent at least one weekend a month volunteering, and both say they are happy they got involved with Hands4Hope.

"I certainly hope I volunteer forever... it just teaches you to be a better person," said Dylan.

Thank you for all you do, boys!  We are so happy to have you on our Hands4Hope team.

New Year's Neighborhood Food Drive

The demand for food has increased an alarming 40% in the last two months... and this is on top of the increases over the last two years! 

In mid-December, Tammy, the director of the Twin Lakes Food Bank which serves Sacramento, El Dorado and Placer Counties, put out a plea for soup, cereal, ham, and prayers. The food they received from the Kids Can school drives, which normally holds them over until February, was gone, their shelves emptying quickly.

In response, Hands4Hope, with the help of many of our incredible families, threw together a New Years Neighborhood Food Drive to help get food back on the shelves... and WOW!  We made a big difference in a very short time!!

Hands4Hope volunteers passed out grocery bags with a note explaining the needs on doorsteps through out their neighborhoods.  On January 1st and 2nd, they revisited the homes and collected the bags of food filled by their neighbors.

In total, volunteers collected 2,134 pounds of food.  

Enough to feed 215 families!!

{The Twin Lakes Food Bank truck after just one day!}

Tammy from the food bank sent a text message thanking our volunteers... 

"OH MY GOODNESS! That's a whole lot of food!!! It's amazing what kids can do. They are shining examples."

"It was heartwarming to see the generosity of our neighbors and watching my girls pull the overflowing wagon up and down the hill. They were able to be involved from the start to finish of this project and felt very proud. I want my daughters to know that they can make a difference by helping others even at their young ages. We look forward to helping out again soon!" - Megan, mother of H4H volunteers

"I am so glad the food drive was such a success. It is amazing to see how many of our neighbors wanted to help! There are so many great people in the world!" - Jan, mother of H4H volunteers

"I am so proud of all of you! I'm proud of the way you took hold of this last-minute drive with an excitement and eagerness to help those in need and made it a huge success. I'm proud of your willingness to ask your neighbors to support this effort. I'm proud of the way you took time out of your busy holiday schedules to make this happen. It truly makes me beam with pride when I tell people what our young volunteers have accomplished. The power of our youth is endless and spectacular!" 

- Jennifer Bassett, Founder/Executive Director of Hands4Hope

Thank you to our volunteers and community members who helped make a difference!

Gifts of Mercy Dinner

Gifts of Mercy is a holiday dinner serving families in need who live in a local Mercy housing development.

Many of our volunteers baked cupcakes and donated them for this event.  We also had our volunteers help greet and serve our guests.  Thank you!

Here is a letter from the organizer of the event:

"Dear 2011 Gifts of Mercy Volunteers,

Thank you again for your time and talents in making the 5th Annual Gifts of Mercy event a success and blessing to the residents and children of White Rock Village. It was a memorable night for all! We had approx. 80 volunteers who helped setup, coordinate, cook, make desserts, take photos, decorate, serve, sort and distribute gifts. There were over 160 children who received Christmas gifts and we served 225 meals."

Thank you volunteers!  

Together, we helped make a difference for many families this holiday season!

Homeless Outreach Sacramento: Cookies, Cards, & Cocoa

December was such a busy month for our volunteers, and one of the events that filled up with volunteers very quickly was the Homeless Outreach in Sacramento with the cookies, cards, and cocoa theme.

Our volunteers worked with youth from WIND in Sacramento decorating cookies and writing cards to take out to the streets for the homeless.  With more than 600 cookies, 200 holiday cards and lots of cocoa, they made the holidays a little brighter for more than 200 hundred people.

 Thank you to all of our volunteers who donated cookies, decorating supplies, and items to distribute!  It was a very fun way to get into the holiday spirit of giving.

Winter Boutique in Town Center

Many families are in need of warm clothing, pajamas, and undergarments like underwear, bras, and socks.

This December, our volunteers organized and set up our 2nd Annual Winter Boutique in Town Center.   Invited were Foster and Kinship families, along with others in need, associated with local Hands4Hope partner agencies. They were all invited to come inside and shop for free.

Many of the items from our boutique were collected during our Warm & Fuzzy Drive, and others were private donations made by the generous people in our community.  Our racks and tables were lined with thousands of items, and the people who came to pick them out were very grateful.

The boutique was open for two days serving the people in our greater community, but it boutique took about 4 days for our volunteers to set up. 

Thank you to our wonderful volunteers (including the Marina Village Middle School Club) who helped make this happen. 

Many families in our community were very grateful.