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Dear CRC,
I learned the term "Maycember" this year. It means, May is just as busy a season as December traditionally is. We have end of school year banquets, thank you events, graduations, weddings, sports championships, field trips, final exams, Mother's Day and May 4th (Star Wars fans anyone?).
As CRC volunteers, you are also students, employees, parents, grandparents and friends, and we are grateful that you take the time out of this very busy season to continue to give back and to participate with us! In the midst of it all, you showed up to allow staff to celebrate YOU at our Volunteer Appreciation Event. You showed up to sort A LOT of donated food. You came to meetings and trainings. And you showed up day after day to keep our Food Pantry and Resale Store doors open.
Thank you for showing up! And I hope that June brings some rest and relaxation (after your volunteer shift of course). Read on to see what the volunteer team has been up to and ways to get involved!
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Gratefully,
Sara Rosenbaum, CVA
CRC Volunteer Manager
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Volunteers Sort 15,000 Pounds of Donated Food | 60 Volunteers. More than 15,000 pounds of food. Two Locations (Solana Beach and Encinitas Post Offices). Hundreds of families who will receive much needed food assistance. Thank you to everyone who was a part of this fun, busy, and amazingly successful Stamp Out Hunger Postal Food Drive Event! We can't wait for next year! | | | | |
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"It was heartwarming to see, not only the large number of volunteers who came together, but also the generous amount of food we received from the community. Collecting 15,000 pounds of food in one day was truly impressive! Everyone was incredibly supportive, and we had a wonderful time." - Carolina Camacho, Food and Nutrition Program Coordinator | | |
Volunteer Appreciation Event | |
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Nearly 100 of you came out to Pannikin Coffee and Tea on HWY 101 May 9th for a celebration of the amazing work volunteers have done over the last 45 years! It was a great night with live music, good food, a 70's throwback photo op, and more! Best part? The staff and volunteers getting to interact in a fun setting!
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THANK YOU to the decor and photo-op team: Amy Larson, Mattea Day, and Marie Lampone! And (not pictured) Rachel Williams who secured some fun donations!
Also to: SDA Baking Buddies, Lazy Acres, My Yard Live, Sun Bum, Aloha, Juneshine, Mike Abernathy, Easy Rider
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Youth Advisory Board Wraps Up Pilot Year | |
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CRC's first ever Youth Advisory Board (YAB) wrapped up its volunteer year with a presentation to the Board of Directors (BOD) on May 21st. Three of the students shared a presentation, outlining the group's volunteer experiences, how they learned more about CRC, and the suggestions they had for the "older" BOD in reaching their generation. Next year looks to be even more intentional and fun as we integrate some of the advice of the students. See below in the "Get Involved" section to see how to apply to be part of the YAB next year!
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Spotlight on: Food Captains Jim and Mark | |
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Jim Elliot (center) has been volunteering with CRC for over 23 years. He was introduced to our Holiday Baskets program through his daughter who was then in high school.
He faithfully supported the food area of Holiday Baskets, distributing boxes of nutritious food to thousands of people and working with hundreds of volunteers. Jim also volunteers at our Spring Tea each year and provides leadership to our Stamp Out Hunger food drive. This year, as both of our Food and Nutrition Program staff are new, his role and his experience were especially crucial.
Jim says that one reason he loves to volunteer is "meeting the people receiving the needed services provided by the CRC and the thankfulness they express at receiving these services that are provided joyfully by the staff and volunteers."
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Mark Peterson (the tall one, center) has been supporting CRC's Holiday Baskets Food Distribution since 2014.
He was "promoted" to Food Captain in 2016 along with Jim (and Sara Rosenbaum - before she was staff!) and worked long hours to provide food for families during the holidays.
Mark has also been instrumental in supporting the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive and larger food sorting volunteer events as needed.
Mark considers volunteering for CRC, "a great opportunity to be involved with the local community and assist those in need. I have gained an appreciation for the vital role and an aspect of life that many of us tend to take for granted."
Thank you Mark and Jim for your incredible support!
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CRC Volunteers Brush Up on Food Pantry Policies | Staff members Sloan Chau and Carolina Camacho did a training refresher for Food Pantry volunteers on May 23rd and made it fun and interactive. This once-yearly training ensures our volunteers are up-to-date on food handling best practices, food safety, and future plans and expansion of our food programs. Volunteers also got a mini tutorial on how to play the game "Kahoots!" from their phones. | |
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Congratulations to CRC's Volunteers of the Month Cheri and Chuck Pryatel!
Chuck and Cheri have been supporting our Food Pantry since 2019. Says nominating volunteer lead, Apple Phillips: "Chuck and Cheri are always there by 8:30, and often earlier, on Wednesdays, to get the 'Back of House' ready for deliveries, as well as process the 8:00 am Starbucks delivery and help keep me supplied and organized during First Light (our food distribution for unhoused clients) hours. We often process four deliveries on Wednesdays, and they keep the team at the top of our game.
They are terrific, faithful volunteers! I hope they never go away, because I don't know how we could do so much without them!"
Thank you, Chuck and Cheri, for your compassionate support of those who come to our Food Pantry each week!
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Taking Applications for the 24/25 Youth Advisory Board | |
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The Youth Advisory Board (YAB) was established for three main reasons:
Youth Voice: The voice of the youth is important.
Storytelling and Learning: We all have a story to tell or a lesson we can learn.
Leadership Growth: Leadership opportunities can lead to more opportunities.
If you are a high school student interested in learning more about CRC and becoming a better advocate for our mission, we encourage you to apply. Tell us why you want to join! Applications are due by July 31.
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Upcoming Education Opportunity | |
Thursdays: June 13, 20, 27 and July 11 & 18, 9:00 am - 5:30 pm at One Safe Place, San Marcos
Learn from experts presenting on the dynamics, danger and effects of intimate partner violence in our society and how to support and empower survivors in their healing. The workshop will be led by Luis Canseco Garcia, CRC's Domestic Violence Education and Prevention Program Manager.
This is an excellent class for CRC volunteers who want to learn more about Domestic Violence and tools needed to support those in unhealthy relationships. There is a cost for this, but if three or more CRC volunteers sign up together, you will get 50% off.
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Truck Driver Support WEDNESDAYS Needed | |
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CRC is looking for volunteers to ride along with our Truck Driver on Wednesdays, and as subs for when our regular volunteer team members are unable to do a shift. This is an early morning shift that requires some heavy lifting. Our drivers pick up food donations from local grocery stores which stocks our Food Pantry. Be a part of this incredible team! T-shirt or hat provided. To learn more, contact the CRC Volunteer Manager.
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Are you 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. This may include deep cleaning, sorting, or stocking items. A cleaner Food Pantry allows our clients to have a more dignified shopping experience. And a clean store makes happy customers! To learn more, contact the CRC Volunteer Manager.
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Learn More from the CRC Newsletter! | |
The volunteer newsletter primarily highlights the work that our volunteers are doing and provides training and updates that apply to the volunteering experience. The CRC newsletter focuses 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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