Rural Food ProgramSt Philip/St Teresa Rural Food Program
2019/2020 Annual Report As we begin a new fiscal year, we want to share with you the work of the Program including its changes and challenges. We began the year with a major change to our program. We decided it was in the best interest of our clients to provide select food products rather than distribute commodities and produce provided by government programs. This created budget, transportation and procurement challenges. We restructured our volunteer schedule for this change, revised and refined our processes and carefully managed our budget. In March, we again restructured our processes to meet the challenges of COVID 19. Using social distancing, gloves, masks and sanitized equipment, we packaged and distributed pre-bagged food. This process reduced exposure but had the potential to increase costs. Since April we have again changed our processes to being a “drive-through” distribution. We expect to continue this touch-less distribution for the next several months. Over the past 12 months we have served 1237 families an average of 103 families each month. We’ve provided over 49,000 pounds of food and over 1800 hours of volunteer time to serve these families. The monthly collection provided $27,643, additional donations $5895 combined, covered 65% of our total operating expenses this year. We are so grateful to all of our parishioners and donors for your financial support and for the many generous volunteers from St. Philip and St. Teresa who enable us to offer this critical ministry. A very generous donation from the Freitas Family Foundation provided funding to allow us to address the challenges and changes described above. Contributions from the family of Betty Gluch allow us to provide additional nutritional support to families with children. Over 200 “Betty Bags” were distributed. Thanks to parishioner Jack Balestreri of Coastal Hill Farm, fresh, organic, grass-fed pastured eggs are provided each month. The Rural Food Program makes a monthly contribution to the Catholic Charities Rural Food Outreach in Sonoma and Lake Counties and to the Family Support Center which provides shelter for the homeless. We also ensure no food is wasted by sending any remaining perishables to The Palms, a permanent shelter. Additionally, The Program pays for the use and cleanup of the parish hall as well as utility usage for the freezers and refrigerators we use. If you have any questions about the Rural Food Program, please contact either of us by leaving a message at the parish office (707) 874-3812 or cmccool318@hotmail.com mcguirks.farmhouse@gmail.com Cathy McCool, Hal McGuirk, co-coordinators 
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Donate to the Rural Food ProgramClick the "Donate" button below to make a tax deductible donation that will help feed families in need. Our Federal Tax number is #37-1874623.
ScheduleTHE SECOND TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH
9:00 am to 11:00 am At the parish hall in Occidental. Registration begins at 8:30 am. ContactIf you have any questions, to volunteer, or to donate to the program, please contact:
Cathy McCool or Hal McGuirk | ||
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Mailing Address
P.O. Box 339 Occidental, CA 95465 Office Hours voicemail / email reviewed weekday mornings (closed holidays and weekends) (707) 408-2650 voicemail |