CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) – For two days vehicles lined up for a mile waiting to enter the Sunrise Christian Food Ministry on San Juan Avenue. Over the two days, in a 12-hour time span, 1,800 turkeys and accompanying food was distributed to families from Citrus Heights and surrounding communities.

On Thursday, November 18, beginning well before 9 a.m. vehicles were welcomed on-site and lined up in four lanes, over 10 cars deep, ready to receive a turkey for their families.

It Takes a Village
Over the two days 150 volunteers helped sort, pack and distribute the food, including local student groups from California Northstate University in Rancho Cordova and Sacramento State University who signed up to participate in a hands-on experience helping in their community. CNUCHS Professor Gloria Poveda and CSUS Community Engagement Center Volunteer & Program Specialist Marisa Warnock, also rolled up their sleeves and worked alongside their students, making the volunteer experience even more meaningful.  

Other volunteer groups that came out to help included Kiwanis, Girl Scouts, Sunrise Church, Christ Community Church, Rock Harbor Church, Advent Lutheran, Amazon, CGI United, as well as new and returning volunteers to the food closet.

According to April Jacek, Volunteer Coordinator, volunteers from throughout the community jumped in to help distribute 1,800 turkey and all the fixings to waiting food closet clients. Once in line volunteers quickly converged on each vehicle to greet clients, get them checked in and deliver a turkey for each registered family in the vehicle, along with fresh produce and baked goods, when available, and an accompanying goodie bag.

Welcoming New Families
Volunteers working at check-in were surprised to learn that about 40 percent of the families that lined up were new to the Sunrise Food Closet and the Sacramento Food Bank system.  Once registered, these families can return to the Sunrise and other participating agencies to receive additional food resources for their families.

The Sunrise Christian Food Ministry returns to their regular distribution schedule, Monday-Friday, 10:30am-2:00pm, on November 29.

Anyone wishing to donate or volunteer can find additional information at www.sunrisechristianfoodministry.org.