CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) – Despite the economic downturn in the past year due to Covid -19, the Sunrise Christian Food Ministry (SCFM) aka Sunrise Food Closet is doing surprisingly well. “We have been blessed” said Rocky Peterson, Director of Operations in an interview. “The community has been very generous. We have been able to remain solvent.”  However, survival has not come without hurdles.

In mid-March 2020 when the government order came for those ages 65 and over to stay at home, SCFM immediately lost 80 volunteers, the mainstay of their operation.  Peterson said they “had to begin again from scratch.”  As of January, 2021, their client numbers had risen 58% from 2019. To handle the increasing volume of work, twenty workers a day are now needed, plus Saturday workers to help assemble the hundreds of bags of food distributed each day. 

Their saving grace was Hands on Sacramento, an online volunteer resource which provided immediate help. While a few former volunteers are trickling back, two in their 90’s and two in their 80’s, most of today’s workers are younger and eager to work. Businesses are still closed leaving employees with time on their hands.  Students as young as 12 years come with their parents, high school students earning their school work hours, dental assistants earning professional credits and nursing students are stepping up. Local churches provide volunteers.  American Express allows their employees a day with pay to volunteer.

More recently, clients are becoming volunteers. Vera Hill, Volunteer Coordinator, said, “Most are very appreciative and want to give back with their time and energy”.  They do not work to get the food but to fill need to give back. Maranda, a personal caregiver, had just lost her client of 13 years.  It was her first day. She told this reporter,” I’m happy to be here. There is a joy to giving and meeting new, friendly people.”

Besides volunteers, there is a continual need for food of all kinds, and other products such as toiletries, household items and pet food. While SCFM is federally funded they also count on their other sources. SCFM obtains 40% from the Sacramento Food Bank, and purchases 20% of what they need from WinCo and Grocery Outlet. Peterson said they count on their sponsors and other community resources for the remaining 40%.  Churches, service organizations and individuals are helping this happen. Sponsor stores include local 7-Elevens, Safeway, Raley’s, Food Max, Walmart, Costco, and Sam’s Club. Twenty Citrus Heights churches contribute with drive-through or in-house food drives. Local Kiwanis and Rotary clubs provide grants and donations. Individuals are donating their Covid-19 stimulus checks.

During the holidays, employees at Sutter Care Vituity raised funds and donated over $4k of food, toiletries, and other items to SCFM.  Parents and students at Summit Christian School in Fair Oaks worked hard and in just 3 weeks collected over 1,000 food and other items to donate.

Those seeking food during this time continue to grow. Prior to the pandemic clients came once a month, now some come every 15-20 days. College students and others have returned home during the pandemic. Instead of feeding two or three people, there are now four or five family members. Some large Eastern European immigrant families have up to 12 children. They are so grateful to be in this country, they appreciate whatever aid they are given.

On a recent day at the beginning of the month, registration records showed a total of 109 vehicles carrying 325 people comprising 213 families served from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. that day. Of those 109 vehicles 10% were new clients. There can be up to four family units in each vehicle. Each family in a vehicle (two adults and 4 children) receives two bags of food to last for up to six days. In addition they each receive a family box full of cold meat and fish, bread, crackers, cookies and produce plus pies and cakes from Costco and Sam’s as available.

The homeless/unsheltered are welcome. They walk in, or arrive by bike or bus. They may be on the street, live by the river, or sleeping on a friend’s couch. Ready to eat sandwiches and pastries are provided for them, especially by 7-Eleven stores.  As Peterson said, “This is a changing environment; it may go on for a long time.” The Sunrise Food Closet it adapting to these changes. Donations of all kinds and volunteers always welcome.

Sunrise Food closet: 5901 San Juan, 11:30 TO 3:00 P.M. Monday – Friday; 916-955-5156; [email protected]