The Pantry Shelf is the San Lorenzo Family Help Center newsletter, connecting and creating a community of people on a mission to defeat hunger in Alameda County. Donate today to automatically subscribe to our newsletter.
Check out what’s on the shelves in November 2024.
Top Shelf - Our Programs
Our families are top shelf! After moving to our new location at 20960 Corsair Blvd, we’ve been growing and defeating hunger in more and more households in the unincorporated areas in and surrounding San Lorenzo, CA.
In-Store Program
Since January 2024, we’ve supported 1458 unique families through our store-like shopping pantry at Corsair. The chart at the right shows the number of families per month who have received assistance, 322 to 859 a 167% increase.
Mobile Pantry Program
We will be out at the San Lorenzo Emanuelu Samoan Free Methodist Church on December 7th. Partnering with them we distribute nutritious produce to approximately 100 clients each Saturday we are there.
Update on Our Farmer's Market Truck
Honk, honk and thank you to those that donated so far to our truck build and supporting our expansion of our Mobile Pantry Program. So far, we’ve received $7,450 from individual donors.
While our donor matching has ended, your continued financial support is important as we work to get the Farmer’s Market Truck built. Make your donations here.
Middle Shelf - Partners & Volunteers
Food Recovery Partners
In January 2024, SB 1383 expanded the “reduce waste” requirement to restaurants, schools, and hospitals with the expectation they donate excess food to distribution centers. In October we welcomed our newest Food Recovery Partner Fusian Delight restaurant, located in the Greenhouse Shopping Center on Lewelling in San Leandro, CA. This is our first donor restaurant and supports our efforts to provide cultural foods to our diverse client community.
Volunteer Spotlight - GLIFY
This month we focus our light on our youth volunteers from Global Leadership Initiatives for Youth (GLIFY). GLIFY is a student-driven non profit organization based in the San Francisco East Bay Area and currently has 470+ members (middle schoolers and high schoolers) around the East Bay with over 40+ projects including food banks, crayon sorting, and other enrichment classes.
GLIFY has supported the San Lorenzo Family Help Center since 2020. The first event was the Thanksgiving special event in 2020. GLIFY was referred to The Pantry by Charles Beyer from Alameda County Community Food Bank. Since then they volunteer regularly, helping those in need and learning leadership skills along the way. The group’s Saturday participation at The Pantry, is co-lead by Joshua Wu and Leann Chen.
Visit the GLIFY website to learn more about this amazing youth leadership group.
Stocking Our Shelves
Turkey Donations for Thanksgiving
We received 131 turkeys this year from Penumbra Inc of Alameda, CA. This is the 3rd year they have donated.
The warmth people feel when receiving a turkey warms the heart and fills stomachs this season.
Giving Tuesday & San Lorenzo Family Help Center
As we approach the holiday season, the San Lorenzo Family Help Center is preparing to support our community with food on their tables. One way to ensure we can continue to meet the needs of our community is through your donations for Giving Tuesday.
While the formal Giving Tuesday day is December 3rd, we hope you consider donating throughout the year and help us defeat hunger in Alameda County. Check out and share our Giving Tuesday donation page.
Donating Proceeds & Food to The Pantry
There are many ways to support the work we do at the San Lorenzo Family Help Center (SLFHC). November is a time where many people feel the gift of giving time and or donating food. When donating food please think about the condition of the packaging and the dating on the items donated and only donate foods that you would eat yourself.
Local Organizations Run Food Drives for The Pantry
We recently received food donations from:
- The San Lorenzo Little League held a food drive in support of The Pantry.
- The Girl Scouts troop 2612 and the Boy Scouts troop 612 recently made food donations, something they’ve been doing since at least 2020.
Calvary Lutheran Church Donates Proceeds to The Pantry
Gratitude and gratefulness goes to the Calvary Lutheran Church for donating all the proceeds from their upcoming Community Concert on November 30th, at 7 PM to The Pantry. If you are interested in attending in person, the address is 17200 Vía Magdalena, San Lorenzo, CA.
Please Donate Today and Defeat Hunger in Alameda County
We need your help to defeat hunger in the unincorporated area in and around San Lorenzo in Alameda County, CA. We cannot do it without you.
The San Lorenzo Family Help Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3). When you make your donation, we will provide the Tax ID.
We are rolling out new donor levels – Pantry Style.
- Platter Donors – $5,000 +
- Dinner Plate Donors – $2,000 to $4,999
- Salad Plate Donors – $1,000 to $1,999
- Dessert Plate Donors – $500 – $999
- Hors d’oeuvres Plate Donors – $100 – $499
