Kick Off Donors contribute $29,748
This year’s Kick Off Donors to the Ukiah Daily Journal Holiday Food Bank Fund Drive include:
Redwood Credit Union, $7,500; Mabel Albertson Fund, $6,500; Anonymous, $3,000; Robert & Suzanne Hardie, $3,000; Beckstoffer Vineyards, $2,000; Jim & Arlene Moorehead, $2,000; Mendocino Community Health Clinic, $1,000; Savings Bank of Mendocino County, $1,000; Mccarty’s Auto Body, $500; David M & Melissa C Schantz, $500; Paul & Linda Shimmin, $500; JT & Jacqueline Williams, $500; Dave Fatch, $400; Patricia Guntly, $250; Laurel Kisliuk, $250; Hans-peter & Lynn Toni Klein, $200; Anchor Medical, $100; H & T Baumoel, $100; Jane & Michael L Correll, $100; Steve & Cynthia John, $100; Redwood Lions Club, $100; Kelly Lentz, $50; Rendy Smith, $50; Frontstream, $48; for a grand total of $29,748.
The goal for this year’s fund drive is $85,000. Checks can be made out to Ford Street Project, in support of the UDJ Food Bank Drive, and mailed to 139 Ford St., Ukiah, CA 95482. Donations can also be made online at www. Fordstreet.org or delivered to the Community Food Bank, 888 N. State St., Ukiah, CA 95482.
To acknowledge the generosity of our community, all donations to the fund drive will be listed in The Ukiah Daily Journal, unless donors request anonymity.
2021 UDJ Drive Letter of Appeal
As we kick off the 35th Ukiah Daily Journal Food Bank Drive, I am reminded of the adage, make new friends, but keep the old, some are silver, others are gold. Before I ask for your contribution to the Ukiah Daily Journal Community Food Bank Drive, I need to acknowledge several community organizations who the Community Food Bank considers to be Golden Community Partners. During the early days of the pandemic, while we were struggling to figure out health and safety requirements, several organizations really stepped up. Redwood Credit Union, The Community Foundation, George & Ruth Bradford Foundation, Adventist Health, and the TR Eriksen Foundation anticipated the impact the Food Bank was to face and sent unsolicited, incremental financial support. The Community Food Bank is funded with local donations, and the Ukiah Daily Journal’s continuing sponsorship of the annual fund-raising effort literally keeps the Food Bank in operation. These community organizations are a true blessing!
Staffing was our other challenge, as we rely heavily on volunteers. With only two full time employees, and one part-time employee, and COVID infections on the rise, we worried about how to keep the food bank open. What would we do if staff, or a significant number of volunteers had to quarantine? Nor Cal Christian Ministries assured us that if we lacked sufficient staffing to keep our doors open, they would help. I am happy to report we did not have to call on them. However, the assurance of help was invaluable and calmed our fears during uncertain times.
On behalf of the Ford Street Board of Directors, Staff, and clients we serve, I want to extend our sincere gratitude to our loyal Food Bank supporters, and dedicated volunteers we have come to rely on to fulfill our mission.
Please consider contributing to the Ukiah Daily Journal Annual Food Bank Drive. Checks can be made out to Ford Street Project, in support of the UDJ Food Bank Drive, and mailed to 139 Ford Street, Ukiah, CA 95482. Donations can also be made online at www.fordstreet.org or delivered to the Community Food Bank, 888 North State Street, Ukiah, CA 95482. We can also accept donations over the phone, via credit card, Monday-friday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
I hope your Thanksgiving celebration was enjoyable. The Community Food Bank provided 330 families with holiday baskets to make sure their holiday was enjoyable, as well. Please join us in our endeavor to feed our neighbors in need; we could use some new contributing friends!