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Holiday Meal Drive 2026 - November 20 and 21

EOBA Annual Holiday Meal Drive

Saturday, November 21, 2026 | 10 AM–4 PM

East Oakland Boxing Association

816

98th Avenue | Oakland

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and EOBA is working to make sure hundreds of East Oakland families have a holiday meal to enjoy. We need your help to make that happen!

Last year, we provided meals to more than 900 families. This year, we're hoping to reach even more households with a complete Thanksgiving meal, including a turkey, fresh produce, and holiday sides. With rising grocery costs putting added pressure on families, this effort is more important than ever.

Every $75 helps provide a Thanksgiving meal for a family of four, and there are still opportunities to get involved.

Help us provide full thanksgiving meals for families by donating, volunteering, or joining us for the Holiday Meal Drive on November 21. Your support helps bring our East Oakland community together when it matters most.

Volunteer With Us

Help us prepare and distribute meals! Join us Friday, November 20, from 9 AM–5 PM for packing day, or Saturday, November 21, from 10 AM–4 PM to welcome families, assist with parking, direct participants, and distribute meals. Individuals, families, and groups are welcome.

Together, we can make Thanksgiving brighter for 1,400 East Oakland families.

Alumni Spotlight: Josue "Sway" Ruvalcaba

From Program Assistant to Future Educator

Some young people leave a lasting impression, and Josue "Sway" Ruvalcaba is one of them.

With his gentle spirit and natural ability to connect with children, Sway began his journey at EOBA as a Program Assistant, supporting our afterschool gardening and STEM activities. Along the way, he grew into a leader and found his passion for education.



Sway earned his bachelor's degree in Child and Adolescent Development from California State University, Sacramento. Today, he serves as a paraprofessional at Herbert Hoover Elementary School in San Francisco. His next goal is to earn his teaching credential and a master's degree in mathematics at San Francisco State University.

We could not be prouder!

At EOBA, we invest in young people, give them opportunities to lead, and then have the incredible privilege of watching them grow up and go change the world.

Keep shining, Sway. Your EOBA family is cheering you on!

A World Teachers' Day Celebration Filled with Love, Gratitude, and Generosity

On October 5, World Teachers' Day, something truly special happened at the East Oakland Boxing Association (EOBA). Our campus became a place of celebration, appreciation, generosity, and pure joy as more than 55 Oakland Unified School District teachers were treated to an unforgettable evening dedicated entirely to them.

Thanks to the generosity and thoughtfulness of Juan Toscano-Anderson, founder of Journey to Achieve (JTA), and Adonal Foyle, founder of the Kerosene Lamp Foundation, our local educators received something they give so freely to others every day. Love, encouragement, appreciation, and support.

And what a celebration!

Teachers arrived to find a beautiful gathering filled with music, laughter, delicious Mexican food, and an incredible assortment of classroom supplies, educational games, decorations, and other essentials. These are the very items that far too often come directly out of teachers' own pockets because they want their students to have everything they need to succeed.

But on this evening, someone was looking out for the teachers.

Throughout the evening, teachers danced to the music of a live DJ, enjoyed delicious food, connected with fellow educators, and mingled in EOBA's beautiful East of Zen garden. With perfect weather, plenty of laughter, and a warm sense of community, the evening was filled with joy. And as the celebration came to a close, teachers headed home with overflowing tote bags of classroom supplies and smiles that said it all.

As someone who had the privilege of witnessing this extraordinary act of kindness, I found myself deeply moved. There is something powerful about watching people who spend so much of their lives giving to others finally have an opportunity to receive.



At EOBA, we were honored to open our doors and share our campus for such a meaningful occasion. Watching more than 55 educators leave with their arms full, their tote bags overflowing, and smiles across their faces was a reminder of what happens when people come together with the simple intention of doing something good for someone else.

To Juan, Adonal, and everyone who helped make this evening possible, thank you for recognizing the people who show up for Oakland's children every single day.

And to our teachers, thank you for your patience, your sacrifices, your dedication, and the love you pour into your classrooms.

You deserve the flowers, the celebration, the overflowing tote bags, and so much more.

Happy World Teachers' Day! Oakland's teachers, we see you, we appreciate you, and we celebrate you!

Stronger Together: EOBA Partners with Cal State East Bay

Connecting Children and Families to Support Beyond Our Walls

Our new partnership with California State University, East Bay's bachelor's and master's social work programs is bringing valuable support directly to East Oakland families.

For the first time, EOBA has welcomed three social work interns who are helping us better understand and respond to the needs of our children and community.

In our afterschool program, they work directly with students to identify social, emotional, and educational challenges, helping our team recognize when a child needs additional attention, encouragement, or resources.

During our weekly food distribution, their work goes beyond groceries. They help families navigate challenges such as accessing child support services, enrolling in ESL or digital literacy classes, continuing their education, and finding resources for undocumented students pursuing college.

For a parent struggling to navigate unfamiliar systems, having someone who listens, identifies resources, and helps make connections can make a meaningful difference.

This partnership strengthens EOBA's ability to respond to the needs of the whole family, rather than addressing one challenge at a time.

We're grateful to Cal State East Bay and our three interns for helping us turn everyday interactions into opportunities for greater family stability, educational access, and community support