Hope for the holidays: Alameda Food Bank
Like most people, Kristina Thelen has had her ups and downs.
Thelen has held a variety of customer service-type jobs, but she’s been out of work for the past year and a half. She watched her income “funnel down to nothing.” But thankfully, the Alameda Food Bank was there to help.
“It’s been wonderful to have them in the community,” Thelen, who is also a mom, said.
It’s been a tough year for the food bank, which like food banks across the country has seen the demand for its services soar as resources dwindle. Still, Thelen waxes rhapsodic about all the food bank’s offerings, from weekly programs offering bread, produce and more to a monthly program where its clients can pick up basic staples.
And Thelen, who also volunteers at the food bank and has picked up extra projects to hone her job skills in anticipation of a return to the workforce, said people who need the food bank’s help shouldn’t let their pride get in the way.
“Even if they think they don’t qualify, there’s no harm in a call. Because nobody should go hungry.”
Wanna help? You can make a donation to the Alameda Food Bank by clicking here. Donations pay for about half the food the food bank gives out.
If you’ve got food to donate, they’re at 1900 Thau Way. Or you can check out the list of other locations where they’ve got food barrels, on the contributions page linked above, along with a list of the stuff they really need (they’re looking for canned fruit, chili with beef, corn, tuna, one-pound packages of rice and 20-24 oz. cans of beef stew).
They’ve also got food barrels at the schools for food donations through December 18.
And if you need food, call 523-5850. The food bank’s got a list of the programs available to you right here.
