SACRAMENTO, CA – The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano was honored this week as 2016 Nonprofit of the Year for the 4th Assembly District. This is the first year the legislature has held a California Nonprofits Day Celebration at the Capitol. The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano was joined by other nonprofit leaders from across the state who were also honored at the inaugural California Nonprofits Day event.
“I am grateful for the recognition of our work given by Assembly Member Dodd and for his acknowledgement of the collaborations that need to occur between the Legislature, community based organizations and volunteers who work to make a better community,” said Larry Sly, Executive Director of the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.
The Food Bank opened in 1975 with nothing more than a borrowed freezer from Safeway, a truck, and a few dedicated people. Their goal was to help distribute food directly to low income people that needed it the most. Now, the dedicated people who run this organization include over 70 employees and over 86,000 hours of work done by over 1,000 volunteers.
“I am happy to recognize the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties as our nonprofit of the year,” said Assemblymember Dodd. “Having founded a nonprofit of my own, I know the hard work and sacrifice it takes to be successful and make a difference in our communities. I think it’s important to recognize, support, and partner with our nonprofits.”
In Solano and Contra Costa Counties, 1 in 8 people rely on emergency food from the Food Bank. The Food Bank has developed programs that address the size of this need as well as nutritional needs of the people they serve. For every dollar donated, the Food Bank can provide enough food for two meals. It is this kind of efficiency that has won them numerous awards for their charitable endeavors. The Food Bank distributes 20 million pounds of food each year, with about half of that being fresh fruits and vegetables.
For more information on the food bank, visit: www.foodbankccs.org
