Volunteer Update
September 30, 2020
Dear valued CRC volunteer,

September is Hunger Action Month. Each of you, in whatever volunteer capacity you work, is a part of the mission here at CRC. Your support either directly or indirectly provides food to those who need it and helps to shine a light on the need in our community. You are taking action and you are part of the solution. Thank you! 

Please take time to read below an important communication regarding our Holiday Baskets Program. We also highlight our front-line workers at the Food Pantry and our incoming 2020/21 Interns.  

Warmly,

Sara Rosenbaum,
CRC Volunteer Manager
The Latest News
Holiday Baskets Update

Holiday Baskets is a beloved program and near to my heart. I enjoy partnering with the 2,000 of you who make it a priority each year to volunteer and make it a success. I love to hear the stories that come out of your time sorting, packing, distributing and hauling carts. I love to see the pictures of your smiling faces and the smiles of those who we serve. COVID-19 has been unexpected and challenging for programs like Holiday Baskets that utilize so many volunteers and serve so many.  

Holiday Baskets is still happening, but it is going to look very different from year’s past. In order to provide a safe, contact-free drive-thru event, our volunteer need is significantly smaller. Because of this, we will not be able to schedule general volunteers for this year’s event, including the following: 

  • Teens and Youth
  • Families
  • Large Groups

If you are a past or current sponsor group, we will reach out to you by November 1 with any openings we may have. We are still figuring out what our limited volunteer need is going to look like. CRC is grateful for your understanding and continued support despite these changes.
How can you still support Holiday Baskets?

We still need your help to supply 900 families and 200 seniors with items to make their holiday brighter. Please consider the following opportunities to partner with us for 2020:


As we get nearer to the holidays, CRC will provide a “Food Drive Advent Calendar” and other ways families can get involved. We understand the life-long value of instilling philanthropy in our youth and want to support that.  
Closer Look: Frontline Food Distribution Volunteers

Our Front-Distribution Leads come each week for a long shift, starting early in the morning and running past lunchtime. They greet our participants (often by name) with smiling eyes, and provide them with pre-bagged shelf-stable essentials, fresh items and breads. Their work is vital to our program and it can be challenging at times. Their dedication and compassion is essential and embodies the mission of CRC well. Thank you!
Monday Lead:
Anne Fujioka
Tuesday/Thursday Lead:
James Zemel
Wednesday Lead:
Kelly Harrington
Friday Lead:
Lori Dilley
Volunteer Spotlight
Volunteer (Group) of the Month: National Charity League Del Sol

NCL Del Sol has been volunteering at our Holiday Baskets “Greeter Table” for the past three years. That position is not part of the 2020 Holiday Baskets program. However, the group expressed interest in volunteering at our Resale Stores and began to sign up for shifts in August. This new volunteer partnership, spearheaded by liaison Sophia Bligh, has had a successful start with multiple mother-daughter teams donating time to our Encinitas Resale Store. Congratulations to the NCL Del Sol group on this honor!  
School is in session: Meet CRC’s newest Interns!
Deborah Reyna

I am currently enrolled in a three-year, part-time MSW-generalist program at CSU San Marcos.

I am looking forward to the opportunity to intern at the CRC Encinitas, and I plan to make a meaningful contribution as an intern case manager by assisting clients in need to the best of my ability.
I am very excited about joining the CRC Encinitas team, and I look forward to meeting you in the future. 

Fun fact: I traveled to Peru in 2009 and visited Machu Picchu, where the Incas ruled for 100 years. This was an amazing and majestic experience.
Anna Ponce

I have a B.A. in Sociology & Criminal Justice Studies from CSU San Marcos and am currently in an MSW program at CSUSM.

I look forward to gaining essential background knowledge and perfect Interpersonal Skills (Soft Skills) through my work with CRC.

Fun fact: I love hiking and I wish I had more time to actually go to new places!
Melytza Cabrera

In 2017, I obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology and a Minor in Anthropology. I am currently part of the Masters of Social Work (MSW) program at CSUSM

I am very passionate about helping those in need and making a difference in their life. I’m excited and thankful to be part of and learn from the CRC team! 

Fun fact: I enjoy the outdoors and baking.
Current Opportunities
Resale Store Volunteer Opportunities

Donation Receivers - Encinitas

Be a part of the Resale Store team that unloads and sorts donations at the Encinitas Store! Three-hour shifts are available Wednesday-Saturday, 10:30 am and 1:30 pm. All proceeds from the stores help support our programs!  

Sign Spinners - San Marcos & Carlsbad

Have a couple of hours to spare to bring in consumer traffic to the San Marcos or Carlsbad Resale Stores? We have Friday and Saturday openings for this opportunity at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm.

Contact Sara Rosenbaum to sign up. 
If you know of anyone in need of food, housing or safe shelter, please pass along this link to the CRC program information on how we can help:
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