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Dear CRC Volunteer,
May is a full month for many of us. There’s Mother’s Day, end-of-year tests and parties, sports banquets, weddings, graduations, Memorial Day, Mental Health Awareness Month, and Leave a Legacy Month.*
This season carries an extra layer of emotion for my family as our youngest son graduates from high school. After more than two decades of parenting school-aged kids, we are suddenly experiencing all the “lasts” — the last day of school, last prom, last track meet, last banquet. I don’t want to miss any of it, while also balancing work, family life, and the everyday responsibilities that somehow never pause (why doesn’t the laundry just do itself?). At the moment, I’m planning both an intimate al fresco family dinner and a taco open house for 100 people in the very same weekend.
My guess is many of you are balancing a lot, too. Work, caregiving, volunteering, family responsibilities, uncertainty, and the emotional weight of being a volunteer who walks alongside neighbors facing challenges of their own. It makes sense that May also reminds us to care for our mental health, especially as the helpers in our communities.
At the same time, advice like “slow down” or “be present” can sometimes feel like one more thing to accomplish. So maybe this month, the goal doesn’t have to be perfection or balance. Maybe it’s simply to pause for a moment when we can — to take a breath, notice the good around us, and remember that showing up for others also means extending a little grace to ourselves. We've got this. :)
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Warmly,
Sara Rosenbaum, CVA
CRC Volunteer Manager
*The May list of busy-ness is not exhaustive
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Stamp Out Hunger
Stamp Out Hunger is a nationwide food drive led by the National Association of Letter Carriers, bringing communities together to help stock local food pantries. This year, on May 9th, more than 40 volunteers gave their time to receive, unload, sort and prepare an estimated 10,500 pounds of food collected through the Encinitas Post Office location.
Thanks to everyone who donated and volunteered, CRC's client-choice pantry is better stocked to ensure neighbors have continued access to nutritious food, dignity of choice and compassionate care when they need it most.
One notable moment came from volunteer Suzanne Scott, who jumped in to help staff unload at the warehouse after the sorting. Food and Nutrition Program Director Luz referenced this as "a great example of community showing up when needed, no questions asked."
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Student Practicum Partnership
This Spring, students from the University of San Diego’s Kroc School partnered with CRC’s Food & Nutrition Center through the Social Innovation Practicum led by CRC Board Member and USD Adjunct Professor Karen Henken.
Throughout the semester, the student team dedicated an incredible 297 volunteer hours researching ways CRC can expand food access and strengthen services for community members experiencing food insecurity. Karen also generously contributed 55 hours of her own time guiding the project and mentoring students through the process.
At the conclusion of the practicum, students presented their research and recommendations to CRC leadership, staff, and board members. Their thoughtful analysis, practical ideas, and commitment to community-centered solutions provided valuable insights that will help shape future planning for the Food & Nutrition Center.
We are so grateful to BOD member/professor Karen and the entire student volunteer team for sharing their time, talents, and passion with CRC. Partnerships like these help create meaningful, lasting impact in our community.
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Tuesday Crew Gives Advice
We asked the Tuesday Food Pantry crew to share their best advice for taking care of their mental health. See answers below!
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CRC's 31st Annual Tea
CRC held a traditional tea fundraiser on May 16th for our long-time supporters. As always, volunteers ensured it all went smoothly and was beautiful and welcoming. The leadership team gathered donations for the auction and games, oversaw the decor, and provided much welcomed overall support. Day-of volunteers set up, registered and welcomed guests, ran the event activities and helped to tear down when it was done. We could not do these events without the volunteer team. Thank you!
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Congratulations to CRC's Volunteer of the Month, Marie Lampone!
Have you ever been to a CRC event and thought, '"Wow the flowers and decor are gorgeous!"? If so, you are probably admiring the work of CRC volunteer Marie Lampone. Marie is creative and meticulous and generously donates her time, talents (and many times her treasures!) to make our events shine. This May was no different as she transformed our CRC Tea into a lovely, Italian-villa inspired experience. I can almost smell the lemons.
Thank you, Marie!
*Photo shows CRC Chairs Paulette Khoury, Marie Lampone and Kathy Ling
| | Final Days to Vote for CRC for EnviroTokens! | | |
Have one minute to help CRC?
Please vote for CRC in Lazy Acres Natural Market’s Envirotokens program to help CRC receive donations when customers bring reusable bags. You can vote once per day, per email address, now through June 2 at lazyacres.com/vote.
| | 2026-2027 Youth Ambassador Applications are Open! | | |
The CRC Youth Ambassador program is a leadership development and volunteer opportunity for High School students. Members learn more about the work CRC does in the community and support tabling events, fundraisers, social media and our Holiday Baskets program. This is a great way to get leadership and philanthropy experience and meet students from other schools in the area. Applications are open now until August 1st!
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Consider donating to our Spring Appeal. Your contribution keeps CRC's client-choice pantry stocked with nutritious food. Last year, 6,590 people found support through our pantry, with 778,000 pounds of food distributed.
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Are you part of a group of 5-15 looking for a way to partner in CRC's mission? There are currently Food Pantry and Resale Store group opportunities available on some late afternoons and weekends. Tasks may include deep cleaning, sorting, or stocking items. A clean Food Pantry provides a more dignified shopping experience for our clients. And a clean store means happy customers! To learn more, contact the CRC Volunteer Manager.
| | Learn More from the CRC Newsletters! | |
This newsletter primarily highlights the work that our volunteers are doing and provides training and updates that apply to the volunteering experience. The CRC newsletters focus on client stories, CRC in the news, mission updates, and fundraising opportunities. If you would like to receive that newsletter, you can sign up for it here.
You can also check out the most current newsletter, full of great information, below!
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If you have a good story of volunteering, please share with me at volunteer@crcncc.org. I can include those stories in future newsletters as an encouragement to our team.
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Community Resource Center
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