CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The Sunrise Christian Food Ministry (SCFM) completed another successful Thanksgiving distribution in partnership with many community supporters.

Despite three days of deluging rain at times, extremely heavy traffic and managing such a large project, Sunrise Christian Food Ministry and their team sailed through the three days like a well-oiled machine. The drenching rain dampened their clothing but not their spirits. It all came down to organization and teamwork.

Taking place from Wednesday, Nov. 20 through Friday, Nov. 22, the three-day giveaway saw major success.

Reservations were given out to 1,600 families with a specific time to arrive in line. During the reservation hours, the traffic lanes were manageable. In addition, the first 200 already in line Thursday and Friday were allowed in at 1 p.m. without a reservation.

On Wednesday night, 150 families were served, which was a new day and time (5 to 6:30 p.m.) to make it easier for working clients and their families to utilize the food closet.

The regular Thanksgiving giveaway began at 10 a.m. Thursday and 900 families were served, including families at Sunrise Pointe transitional housing for formerly homeless families, and Mesa Verde High School families.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, the goal of 2,000 turkeys and families served was met. Most clients who came through at 1 p.m. were new to the food closet and Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services.

After several years of steadily growing numbers of clients, one year was especially heavy and the Citrus Heights Police Department needed to respond to a traffic jam. This led to the City of Citrus Heights along with law enforcement joining together, working behind the scenes to create a new plan to handle the hundreds of vehicles coming through the lines. The city created fliers that were handed out to clients explaining the new traffic pattern.

No operation as large as this can run smoothly without military precision. That is exactly what was evident throughout the entire three days. Traffic control was led by Chris Adams. According to April Jacek, director of operations, Adams has previously done traffic control professionally. She has volunteered for the food closet five days a week for the last two years. 

This process has been a group effort with the food closet working with volunteers from many organizations. PG&E & Ascension Lutheran packed 2,000 holiday bags and produce bags for the giveaway.

On Wednesday night, a youth baseball team from Granite Bay, as well as community volunteers, helped load turkeys and Thanksgiving food boxes into client vehicles. 

On Thursday and Friday, CGI Northwest, Delta Dental, Citrus Heights Water District, Cricket Wireless and California North State University helped with distribution.

“Our distribution is made possible by the support of Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services and generous donations from Safeway, Grocery Outlet, California American Water in partnership with Senator Hoover's Operation Gobble and Republic Services,” Jacek said. 

This whole reinvented working model has been a team effort, a network of the city, law enforcement, businesses large and small and the community from its conception. Many clients don’t speak English, so translators were available to help the event run smoothly.

Jacek also said, “a huge thank you to Mary Poole, and her team with the City of Citrus Heights for working to get our traffic flow changed including new signage. The CHPD was out in force educating clients and keeping the distribution safe.” The city and Advent Lutheran staff began meeting months ago to put together a new permanent traffic pattern that can handle any number of vehicles.

Many supporters, volunteers and the Sunrise Christian Food Ministry worked on this event. Food insecurity doesn't just strike for the holidays; it is a year-round struggle for many in our community.

Visit www.sunrisechristianfoodminstry.org to learn how you can donate or sign up to volunteer.