Local residents received a helping hand for the holidays Monday in the form of everything needed for a hearty Thanksgiving meal, thanks to the Twin Lakes Food Bank and its partners and donors throughout the community. The annual event, open to residents in need from Folsom, El Dorado Hills, and Granite Bay, ensured families had the supplies to celebrate Thanksgiving.
By 11 a.m., the food bank’s drive-thru event, held in the parking lot of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church due to inclement weather, was in full swing. Vehicles lined Montrose Drive and beyond as participants waited for their turn. Volunteers, many dressed in festive attire, navigated shopping carts between the church’s fellowship hall and the cars, loading turkeys and other holiday essentials for the waiting guests.
“We often use the term food insecurity,” said Lisa Tuter, executive director of Twin Lakes Food Bank. “In reality, it comes down to income insecurity, and there are just a lot of people out there that are hurting financially.”
Need for assistance continues to grow
The need for food assistance in the community has surged, with inflation and rising costs stretching household budgets to their limits. Tuter noted that more than 3,000 people are served monthly by the food bank, compared to 1,700 just six years ago.
“Inflation has hit our guests hard, and the need for nutritious food has increased,” said Tuter. “The growing population, including local families occupying a larger number of state-mandated workforce housing units, increases the need, which makes the support we receive from the community even more heartwarming.”
The demographic served by the food bank is also shifting. While seniors on fixed incomes remain the largest group, local families in need now make up a significant portion of those seeking assistance. Tuter emphasized that only about 10% of their clients are unhoused individuals, addressing a common misconception.
“When you are on a limited income and prices go up, you have to make choices where to cut back,” Tuter explained. “You can’t cut back on paying rent, medical care, or prescriptions, so it’s usually groceries because that is the one place you can get help fairly easily.”
Hundreds served by dedicated volunteers
This year’s Thanksgiving meal distribution served 360 individuals and families, a significant increase from previous years. Each recipient received a turkey along with the supplies to prepare side dishes, including produce, items like cranberry sauce, gravy, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. And of course, ready to go dessert items were included for those picking up to take back and add to their holiday feast with their families, one they otherwise may have not had.
The event would not have been possible without the dedicated volunteers and the generous support of the community. Members of Folsom Lake Rotary, regular food bank volunteers, and first-time helpers worked together to ensure a smooth operation despite the rainy weather. The event began with a gathering by all involved for a prayer Monday morning, then it was off to work in the rain where they loaded up trunks with smiles of their own while bringing big smiles to so many others they didn’t even know for this holiday ahead.
Food insecurity in Folsom, looking ahead
With Thanksgiving meals now distributed, Twin Lakes Food Bank is preparing for increased demand during the Christmas season and remains committed to serving the community throughout the year.
“Every dollar raised helps us stand against hunger and stand with the people we serve,” Tuter said. “When those of us with advantages invest our resources in those who have fewer advantages, our community prospers.”
Those wishing to donate, volunteer, or learn more about Twin Lakes Food Bank can visit www.twinlakesfoodbank.org.
