Earlier this week, crews moved the last pallet of donated food from Twin Lakes Food Bank’s warehouse for distribution to guests in need, leaving the warehouse empty but with the hope that a successful Community Service Day food drive will fill the shelves to bridge the gap between now and the holidays.
“After this Friday we will have no non-perishable food for our food insecure neighbors,” said Lisa Tuter, executive director of Twin Lakes Food Bank. “Folsom’s Community Service Day and the food drive that often generates more than 70,000 pounds of food are happening at just the right time.”
Tuter acknowledged that the low inventory can be nerve-wracking, but said it is not unusual for this time of year.
“The shortage between the end of summer and Thanksgiving is typical for many food banks,” she said, “but our community has always stepped up to provide the groceries we need to serve our hungry guests.”
In the weeks preceding Community Service Day, hundreds of volunteers delivered empty grocery bags and a food needs wish list on almost every door step in the city. Volunteers return Saturday morning to pick up the food donations left by residents.
Volunteers can register in advance at www.folsomcommunityservice.org. Volunteer check-in takes place at Lakeside Church, 745 Oak Avenue Pkwy., on Saturday from 7-8 a.m. Volunteers receive a commemorative T-shirt, volunteer bag, and breakfast. Most activity on projects occurs from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
For more information about Folsom’s Twin Lakes Food Bank, visit https://www.twinlakesfoodbank.org and for information on the city’s Community Service Day, visit https://www.folsomcommunityservice.org.