Dear Friend of SOS,

I am so proud of our staff and the way that they pivoted to prepare meals on Wednesday!

Our fire suppression system had just been repaired when we had another short circuit that disabled the fan. That meant we couldn’t use the oven, because it would fill Unity Kitchen with smoke. Dawn, Dan, and Laura quickly set up an alternate kitchen in the back parking lot and fried 170 Amy’s vegetarian burritos. That was still not enough food for the number of clients we serve at lunchtime, so they made an additional 18 sandwiches.

Luckily, breakfast was already prepared from the day before. A total of 308 meals were served under pressure. It reminded me of the words of Michelin star chef, Gordon Ramsay: “I’ve always said pressure is healthy. It depends on how you handle it. When pressure is immediate and presents itself, you get the best results.”

Sous Chef Dawn, cooking in the parking lot and making the best out of a bad situation. She, Dan, and Laura prepared 170 Amy’s vegetarian burritos from Redwood Empire Food Bank, plus supplementary sandwiches, with no kitchen.

We also received a huge donation of candles, bath bombs, and soaps from Whole Foods Market. SOS staff member Nathalia used them to assemble Valentine’s Day gift bags for our homebound clients. Our thanks to Matt Murray, Associate Store Team Leader, for this donation, which will help create a meaningful sense of community and belonging.

Cousins Pat and Rita volunteer to prepare special Valentine’s Day gifts for our homebound clients.

We were pleased this week to welcome volunteers from a new partner, Becoming Independent

In the News

The Sonoma Index-Tribune reported that the Martini Madness event held on February 7 at The Lodge was a huge success, with 275 participants. The event is annually organized by Out in the Vineyard founder, Gary Saperstein.

SOS will receive $2,500 from the proceeds. SOS volunteers Phil Miller, Janice Engle, Dan Kahn, and Madolyn Agrimonti pitched in to help and also staffed a table. Special thanks to Board Member Kathleen Hill for developing the partnership with Out in the Vineyard.

More News 

Major food insecurity has increased in Sonoma County since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report released this week by the Sonoma County Human Services Department. The 77-page report identifies gaps and opportunities to improve local safety net services that distribute healthy, nutritious food to people in need.

Nearly 13% of US households experience food insecurity, a term that describes the experiences of people who lack access to sufficient food, or food of adequate quality to sustain an active, healthy life. Food insecurity rates are higher in households with children, households composed of people of color, and among people experiencing homelessness. This report mirrors the problems that SOS has been addressing in Sonoma Valley. Read more here.

Please help us by making a contribution now. Together, we can feed our community, one meal at a time.

Gratefully,

Kathy King

Executive Director