Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) is gearing up for the 17th annual Run to Feed the Hungry on Thanksgiving Day, but needs your help starting this March. It is time to begin planning this huge event which involves 30,000 runners and walkers, two beautiful courses throughout Sacramento and raises over $800,000 to benefit programs at SFBFS. Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services is looking for artwork to grace the front of 30,000 Run to Feed the Hungry participant t-shirts. Think you have what it takes? Design a piece of art for the front/center of a standard t-shirt. The idea can incorporate anything that you believe captures the spirit of the Run to Feed the Hungry, programs a

The Sacramento Press at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services' 2009 Run to Feed the Hungry  we and had the pleasure of meeting thousands of run participants that morning. Whether it was to support SFBFS, get exercise, spend time with loved ones, or a combination of all of those reasons, here are some of them.  We asked visitors that stopped by our booth to let us know, why did you Run to Feed the Hungry? Nikki Carlson, Sacramento "We participated as a way to feel like we gave something back to those who go without during the holidays in our community. It's a small gesture, but it ends up making a big difference! And It made us feel great the whole day!" Darcy Smith, Sacramento "To run

  Continued from Part 1  As participants near the finish, bystanders cheer them on and hold signs of support and thanks Kevin Johnson hangs out on the sidelines as participants complete the race 5K runners and walkers finish the final stretch of Run to Feed the Hungry Supportive onlookers wait for runners to cross the finish line, taken by George Raya  Participants pour Into the end zone of RTFTH, taken by Laura Smith   View from above the sidelines as racers finish, taken by George Raya   10K run participants, taken by Michael Fitzgerald Voyage Home Loans Team Goodness at the Finish Line (left to right): Bus. Dev. Manager Ryan Lucia, Dir. of Customer

Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services welcomed around 29,000 participants in their sixteenth annual Run to Feed the Hungry on Thanksgiving Day.  Here are a collection of photos taken by The Sacramento Press along with participants' photos from the run submitted to us.   As the sun comes up Thanksgiving morning, trucks set up the time marks along the race route on the CSU, Sacramento campus SFBFS volunteers prepare the after-party area to re-fuel runners and walkers   Corporate teams/sponsors gather in the crowded VIP tent to have group photos taken Corporate teams have their team photos taken  Teams fuel up with doughnuts, bananas, coffee, and energy bars provided by

Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) is thankful for a wonderful turnout at the 16th annual Run to Feed the Hungry. The final number of participants is still being tallied, but at least 29,000 individuals participated in today’s event. This morning’s 5K and 10K offered a split start time, a single finish line and new race routes.   “The turnout at this year’s Run is unbelievable,” shares Blake Young, President/CEO of Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. “Our organization is so thankful for the support we receive at this event and year round. None of our service delivery would be possible without the support of the Sacramento community.”   Run to Feed the Hungry participant

There was an amazing turnout this year for the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services Run to Feed the Hungry. At least 29,000 people showed up to support this great cause. Please use the following links to see the timed results of the race: Run to Feed the Hungry 2009 race results: 10K Run Overall:  www.capitalroadrace.com/results/09_RTF_10K_OVL.HTM Age Group: www.capitalroadrace.com/results/09_RTF_10K_AG.HTM 5K Run/Walk Overall: www.capitalroadrace.com/results/09_RTF_5K_OVL.HTM Age Group: www.capitalroadrace.com/results/09_RTF_5K_AG.HTM   Here are the top finishers from the 10K Run and 5K Run/Walk:  2009 Run to Feed the Hungry 10K Run, Overall Finish List: 1st Place-Max King, 2

Carrie, a retired Sacramento area elementary teacher, had always been interested in volunteering at SFBFS since she had several students over the years whose families benefited from Food Assistance and other SFBFS programs. After retiring, Carrie began volunteering in the Mother-Baby program at Oak Park, and her involvement grew over time. Starting off as a mentor to new families, Carrie would sit down and talk with new moms and dads about raising their babies. It became obvious that Carrie has a unique ability to bond with families and provide them the guidance needed. Her compassion and ability to really listen are the keys to her connections with the families. New parents appreciated C

The Wall Street Journal featured a story recently that held some tremendous promise for Sacramento Area small businesses.  The article titled “Three Best Ways to Win Community Support” outlines the some opportunities that small businesses can create or take advantage of.  I think these are particularly ripe for those businesses around the Sacramento community.   First off, a recent trend in small business marketing has been to develop community around your products and services.  Community is where loyalty comes from.  It is why we have newsletters, a social networking presence, and why we all wish there was a bar where everybody knew our name.  These tips will help you further to engage

SACRAMENTO, CA – Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) is preparing for the busiest Thanksgiving season in the organization’s history and invites you to become involved. From donating turkeys to jogging through town, Sacramento residents can help families in need this holiday season. November 20: 2nd Annual Turkey Drive 3,000 4:30am – 7:00pm SFFBS Oak Park facility – 3333 Third Ave (near 34th & Broadway) Please drop off a frozen turkey or any packaged holiday side dishes such as potatoes, green beans, pumpkin pie filing, stuffing, etc. on November 20. Last year, Sacramento residents donated 2,766 turkeys to this worthy cause. This year, the need in our community is even greater.

Looking for a way to help this holiday season? Consider donating a turkey (or any Thanksgiving meal fixin’s) on Friday, November 20 for Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services’ (SFBFS) 2nd annual Turkey Drive. Last year, Sacramento residents donated 2,766 turkeys to this worthy cause. This year, the need in our community is even greater. SFBFS helps families overcoming difficult times such as employment layoffs, depression, loss of a family member or loss of a home. Volunteers and donors help provide a 5-day supply of take home groceries to these families at no cost, serving upwards of 17,000 unduplicated men, women and children per month. For Thanksgiving, SFBFS would like to see every fam

Sacramento rock-n-roll band, The Q Balls, will play a benefit show on Saturday, November 14th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Torch Club, 904 15th Street, Sacramento. The event is Free with donations taken at the door. Proceeds will go to Pops in the Park and in turn be used for East Sac and River Park parks. In 2009, Pops in the Park funds were used to leverage funds raised by the community to help restore swim pool hours cut through the City's budget at Bertha Henschel Park, Glenn Hall Park and McKinley Park. The Q Balls manager Sol Siler said: "The Q Balls are really looking forward to the November 14th gig at the Torch. All members save one were born and raised in the East Sacrament

Rocket’s Runner of the WeekRocket, this beautiful German Shepherd, is the unofficial mascot of The Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services. He plays a key role at the organization. He makes people happy. Almost two years ago, Rocket was diagnosed with Osteocarcoma, a rare form of terminal cancer. In order to keep the disease from spreading, Rocket had one of his legs amputated. Since Rocket’s operation, he has been coming to work with his Mom, Kelly Siefkin, The Sacramento Food Bank and Family Service’s Communication andDevelopment Director. Initially Kelly brought Rocket to work with her because she was concerned about him being home alone, now she brings him because it is important to b

Lace up your shoes Sacramento, the 16th annual Run to Feed the Hungry is almost here! Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services encourages you to be part of a Thanksgiving tradition. The 5K and 10K fun run and walk launches from Sac State on November 26. This is currently the largest Thanksgiving Day run in the country and this year will be no exception. With 30,000 participants expected to be involved, you are guaranteed a morning of fun with family and friends. For returning walkers and runners, here are a few changes this year that deserve special attention: * New Start Time: To accommodate more runners, the 10K will begin at 8:45am and the 5K will begin at 9:05am. * New Course Route: W

Rocket, this beautiful German Shepherd, is the unofficial mascot of Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services. He plays a key role at the organization. He makes people happy. Almost two years ago, Rocket was diagnosed with Osteocarcoma, a rare form of terminal cancer. In order to keep the disease from spreading, Rocket had one of his legs amputated. Since Rocket’s operation, he has been coming to work with his Mom, Kelly Siefkin, Sacramento Food Bank and Family Service’s Communication and Development Director. Initially Kelly brought Rocket to work with her because she was concerned about him being home alone, now she brings him because it is important to both Rocket and the amazing volunt

Join Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services on Thanksgiving Day for the 16th Annual Run to Feed the Hungry! The 5K and 10K run/walk start at around 8:45am on Thursday, November 26. Kickoff is outside of CSUS and the course winds through beautiful East Sacramento. Join us for a bit of exercise before you go home and eat all that food! Pleas sign up at www.runtofeedthehungry.com Running not your thing, but you want to help out? Please volunteer! Volunteers are needed to pass out water, direct traffic, check in runners and more. Sign up online at www.runtofeedthehungry.com Want to learn more about SFBFS? Check out our new website at www.sacramentofoodbank.org! THANKS!  

Since retiring from the workforce in 2005, Jim and Wally Hoffsis have dedicated much of their time and energy to volunteering in the community. They began their volunteer experience at Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services (SFBFS) one year ago in the Sunday Lunch program. Soon after, they became regular volunteers at both the Sunday Lunch program and at mobile distributions of the Food Assistance program; a perfect fit for the couple, who are most interested in volunteer projects that are oriented toward food and housing. With the cessation of the Sunday Lunch program in June, Wally and Jim began focusing their efforts at SFBFS on mobile distributions of the Food Assistance program. Eac

Father Dan Madigan founded Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) in the basement of his Oak Park church in 1976. Pained by watching so many people go hungry on the streets of Sacramento, he called together a small cadre of compassionate volunteers to tackle the problem. Over time, the number of facilities, staff and volunteers grew to meet the ever increasing need in Sacramento. His passion for helping individuals and families in need is still alive and well in the wide array of programs and services offered by SFBFS. SFBFS currently operates two large facilities, in Oak Park and in North Sacramento, serving neighborhoods with families experiencing some of the highest rates of po

Rocket, this beautiful German Shepherd, is the unofficial mascot of Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. He plays a key role at the organization. He makes people happy. Almost two years ago, Rocket was diagnosed with Osteocarcoma, a rare form of terminal cancer. In order to keep the disease from spreading, Rocket had one of his legs amputated. Since Rocket’s operation, he has been coming to work with his Mom, Kelly Siefkin, Sacramento Food Bank & Family Service’s Communication and Development Director. Initially Kelly brought Rocket to work with her because she was concerned about him being home alone, now she brings him because it is important to both Rocket and the amazing volunteers

Run to Feed the Hungry 2009 Race Zones/Areas   How Do I Exit My Neighborhood During Our Race? We encourage you to avoid driving in your neighborhood between 8:40 am – 10:20 am. If you must drive, please allow us to provide you with the following instructions so that you may safely and efficiently leave your neighborhood. Area 1 – Use “D” Street and head to the corner of 39th St & McKinley Blvd. A police officer will guide you across McKinley Blvd. to “C” Street once there is a gap in runners. Take a left turn, only, once you reach “C” Street. (Note: runners will arrive at the corner of 39th & McKinley Blvd. at approximately 9:05am). Area 2 – Take “H” St. to 36th Street. Go right –

Most people probably wouldn't just give away a $25,000 ring without thinking twice about it. But Andrea Stirling and AJ Elftmann did. In June, Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) hosted a text message scavenger hunt, "The Race for the Rock," which led 1,000 Sacramentans around the city following a series of clues leading to the ring. The race raised more than $4000 for the food bank. The "Hearts on Fire" ring, donated by Rogers Jewelers, was eventually found by long-time Sacramento residents and couple, Stirling and Elftmann. The timing of their win was made even more special since they were still celebrating Elftmann's two-year remission from Hodgkins Lymphoma just a couple m