Volunteer Update
November 30, 2020
Dear CRC Volunteer,

Thanksgiving is often a day of contrasts. It is a day set aside to pause and reflect on the things we are grateful for, but it is often fraught with last-minute burnt pie crusts, crowded dinner tables full of chatter, and long drives to grandma’s with impatient kids in the back seat. 2020 prepared us well for this year’s Thanksgiving pause. Forced rest and simplified celebration in the midst of chaos and fears. I know of families who instead of their usual large gathering, enjoyed a catered meal with just their immediate family and some board games. I know many who cooked a turkey for the first time ever (after 24 years of making the turkey, I swear by the roasting bags) and felt pushed out of their comfort zone. Things are different for a lot of us, but there can be beauty in that.  

Our volunteers have done such an amazing job this year of adapting. Instead of getting in-person volunteer opportunities, many have donned their “donor” hats and have provided vital food, financing and Holiday Baskets gifts to our cause. And many continue to gift CRC with their time and presence at our Food Pantry, Resale Stores, Holiday Baskets program and more. Our newsletter highlights just some of the amazing work volunteers have done this month.

Gratefully,

Sara Rosenbaum,
CRC Volunteer Manager
Volunteer Spotlight
Thank you to our Volunteer of the Month, Carol Brown

Carol is a CRC Ambassador and volunteers with our Produce Good program, our Meal Delivery Program, and is available whenever a need arises. In her own words she says, “I love to support CRC ... please let me know if there is anything more I can do!” 

Carol shows up two Sundays a month to receive 200 pounds of produce (or more!) for our Food Pantry, donated by local farmers. When an opening came up to deliver meals to our participants being housed in hotels, she jumped at the chance. Carol has a generous spirit and has been a long-time supporter of CRC. 

Thank you Carol and congratulations on this well-deserved honor!
Carol Brown (right) with CRC staff member Cindy Collins at 2019 Volunteer Appreciation Event
Bringing in the Harvest with Produce Good
Thank you for giving your time

Thank you to those who have donated food to our Food Pantry and items to our Holiday Baskets Drives in November! Your contributions provide a warmer holiday season to many!
Noelle and Lila celebrated World Kindness Day by hosting a food drive at their school, Phoenix Learning Center.
Hope for San Diego volunteers organized our donations area at CRC to better store all of the amazing donations we receive!
Sage Creek students collected 259 new games and puzzles for Holiday Baskets!
Holiday Baskets

We are in the final stretch for our December 5th Holiday Baskets distribution happening at the Mira Costa Manchester site. 

If you would like to give items ... we are so close to the Holiday Baskets distribution date we are requesting that instead of purchasing items for delivery, that you instead consider making a gift of financial support. Thank you for your generosity!
How can you help?
Give Food this December

1 in 6 people in the U.S. is food insecure right now. Get your family involved in collecting food by participating in our Food Drive Advent Calendar. Download the calendar from our website and collect items each day during December and deliver to CRC in the new year. Thank you for making sure your neighbors have enough food to eat!
Volunteer at CRC's Resale Stores

CRC’s Encinitas store can receive upwards of 100 drop-offs on a busy Saturday! With lots of new inventory to receive, wipe down, sort through and display, our volunteers are more important than ever.

If you have not considered volunteering at one of our three stores in the past, this is a great time to jump in! If you just need a little retail therapy, please consider stopping by one of the stores to show your support. All proceeds from sales go to fund our efforts to alleviate hunger, homelessness and Domestic Violence in our community (20% of CRC’s income comes from the stores!).

Volunteer shifts are available 10:30 am - 1:30 pm and 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm at all three locations. To volunteer, contact: srosenbaum@crcncc.org.
Learn and Share

Join us during our Week of Hope, now through December 4, for inspiring and hope-filled videos each day. We invite you to learn more and share CRC with your networks. Thank you for giving help and hope to neighbors in need this season!
If you know of anyone in need of food, housing or shelter, please pass along this link to information on how we can help: CRCNCC.ORG/COVID-19
If you have a good story of volunteering, please share with me at srosenbaum@crcncc.org. I can include those stories in future newsletters as an encouragement to our team.  
Community Resource Center | (760) 230-6501| info@crcncc.org | CRCNCC.org