Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services Blake Young on Food Insecurity in Sacramento

Founded by Father Dan Madigan and a group of volunteers, many of whom were World War II veterans, the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services has been addressing food insecurity in the community for over four decades. Starting by establishing a soup kitchen at Immaculate Conception Church in Oak Park, it has grown to be the source in the county for servicing those in need, including children, seniors, and families. Thanks to the dedication of volunteers, staff, and community support, they're able to accommodate increased demand for their services that we'll cover in the conversation. The numbers are astounding.Relying on a combination of federal and state government support, individual and corporate contributions, foundation grants, and community partnerships, SFBFS has been able to store and distribute food for 300,000 people per month with a strong focus on fresh fruits and vegetables. So many misperceptions about for whom and what gets provided will be clarified as you listen. One of organizations major annual events is the "Run to Feed the Hungry," which started in 1994 with 768 participants and has since grown to almost 30,000 participants. The event is an iconic community activity and represents the willingness of Sacramentans to support such a great cause. Despite challenges, SFBFS is committed to ensuring that no one in the community goes hungry as you'll hear in our conversation. To view the slides addressed in the show, visit the YouTube channel by clicking on the link below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL-93UmIsuI&t=2237sFor more information on how you can support the organization visit: www.sacramentofoodbank.orgTo register for "The Run to Feed the Hungry" visit www.runtofeedthehungry.com