Community members like Geronimo take their jobs seriously. With traffic backed up on a side street for over a quarter of a mile, it takes dedication and commitment to make sure the public is efficiently and safely provided with food. (Carole Brodsky — Fort Bragg Advocate-News)
The line of cars- more than 100- stretches for two long blocks to the entrance of the Mendo Food Network.
Today is a “pop-up” food distribution day- a monthly event that is looked forward to by hundreds of community members.
This pop-up is staffed and managed by a group of about 10 volunteers and MFN staff. Volunteers arrive each month to help distribute the thousands of pounds of food to folks needing supplemental food.
The air has a distinct, wintry bite, and the pallets of food are stacked on the shady side of the building. But there is no complaining from the volunteers; a palpable feeling of camaraderie and fellowship permeates the chilly morning. The clock strikes 10, and the first four cars are waved into the distribution line.
“I was coming down here to get food, says retiree Sandra Pipes, who waves a vehicle into the distribution zone. “I was coming here with a friend, and one day we said, ‘If we’re already coming down here, we might as well volunteer,” she smiles.
Each volunteer knows their responsibilities, and they are stationed along a 50-foot section of roadway, where a variety of food items are stacked and packed- ready for distribution.
“We’ve got three families, one senior and one child,” Sandra calls to the others down the line. Colored placards are placed on the recipient’s windshield, helping volunteers determine which types of food they qualify for. Seniors receive special pre-packed boxes of non-perishable goods. Families with kids get packs of fruit cups along with other food items.
About a quarter of a mile down the road, Geronimo is directing traffic. He’s been doing so for about 15 years- first, back in the day when the Redwood Empire Food Bank was coordinating food distribution, and now he’s here at the Mendo Food Network. Today, those in line are in good spirits. “You never quite know what’s going to happen,” says Geronimo. “Sometimes a person will have car trouble. Other times, you might run into someone who’s having a rough day. It’s just human nature,” he notes.
Volunteers form the backbone of the Mendo Food Network. It would literally be impossible to provide the wide array of services to the community without the support of volunteers, who fulfill a variety of functions, but most importantly, are the public face of MFN.
Today’s line is long, but, says Geronimo, not as bad as last month. “With all that shutdown stuff, we were really swamped last month,” he notes.
As Nicole hands out USDA commodity cheese to folks who want it, she marvels at the distinct difference in the availability of supplemental food in Mendocino County versus Los Angeles, where she lived prior to the pandemic.
“I had friends volunteering here, and I just wanted to help,” she explains. “I can’t tell you how different the services are up here compared to LA. There is some food relief available there, but nothing like this. The Mendo Food Network is just amazing.”
The community is still adjusting to the organizational shift, with the operation of Mendo Food Network’s Willits warehouse still relatively new. Many volunteers who were working with the Redwood Empire Food Bank in prior years simply transferred over to MFN, and couldn’t be happier with the transition. “There is more food available to more people, and that’s why we’re here to help,” said one individual.
As the event continues, it becomes evident that more bags of produce will be needed. Every family received a good-sized bag of fresh fruits, carrots and more. Dan Beebe, who has been lifting the bags into the cars of recipients, grabs a couple of folks who accompany him into the warehouse, where they quickly assemble another 30 bags of fresh produce. It doesn’t take long for Dan to realize that they’re going to need even more. “The produce is a little tricky,” he explains. “It’s been really great that lots of bags and boxes get pre-assembled the day before, but we never exactly know how much we’re going to need.” He started volunteering with the Fort Bragg Food Bank “decades ago,” and can still be relied upon to show up every month for the pop-up. “I’m doing well in the world,” says Beebe. “I know that a lot of people are experiencing hard times. I know how fortunate I am. I guess I’m kind of an altruistic guy,” he smiles. “I like to give, and I like to give back.”
A piping hot bag of egg rolls shows up, and Sherri Thomas walks the line, making sure all the volunteers know there’s a warm snack available in their break room. A retired nurse, Thomas knows how to take charge without taking over. “I’ve got an autoimmune disorder, so I needed to find a way to volunteer that wouldn’t expose me to a lot of yucky germs,” she laughs. “I wanted to give back to my community. This is a great way for me to get outside and be social.”
“The Mendo Food Network’s beating heart is our group of dedicated, generous volunteers. From pop-ups in Willits, Covelo, Laytonville, and Leggett, to assembling bags for programs like Grab n’ Go, Kids Bags, Teacher Boxes, and more, to our Fort Bragg Food Bank regulars, our volunteers keep the show running. In 2024, our volunteers donated 28,675 hours of their time, and this year we’re looking at even more. Each of our volunteers have their own stories and reasons for volunteering, and every one of them shows up with compassion and patience, giving those who need our support dignity, privacy, and care. We love our volunteers!” says Mary Tinder, MFN’s head of development and fundraising.
The event started at 10:00 sharp, and it’s now after 12:00. There’s still a significant line of cars filled with folks waiting to receive their food. “The first folks in line have been here since about 8:00,” says Thomas. “Some people come really early to make sure we haven’t run out of anything. Others come late, because sometimes we have extra. We’re running late- we should have been done by 11:30.” Despite the late hour, not one volunteer leaves their station.
The volunteers interact closely with the recipients, who never have to leave the warmth of their vehicles. “Would you like your eggs in the car with you?,” one volunteer asks a driver. “Please put the boxes in the trunk,” says another recipient. “We’ve got a wheelchair in the back seat.”
Two and a half hours and thousands of pounds later, the last person has been served. The volunteers gather in their break room and enjoy hot pizza from Slam Dunk, sharing photos of grandkids and musing about whether there is real Mexican food available in Europe and India. Google rapidly answers that question.
One woman sums up the feelings of nearly every recipient after volunteers pack up her car with boxes and bags of food: “Thank you for your effort and energy helping my family.” It would be impossible to count the number of “thank-you’s” and “God Bless you’s” that the volunteers received that day. But in the true spirit of giving, generosity and gratitude, they simply respond with a hug, a wave, or “Have a wonderful day,” and move on to help the next hungry community member.
To get involved, visit www.mendofood.org/volunteer and explore current opportunities. You can also reach out to your local food bank, pantry, soup kitchen, or senior center to donate your time to our partner organizations throughout the county.
During the month of December, the Fort Bragg Advocate-News Season of Sharing features four stories about the Mendo Food Network and its affiliates. To honor of the kindness of our community, the names of Season of Sharing donors for this week are posted below. Please consider supporting community food resiliency by donating to the Mendo Food Network. You may donate directly to them, or the MFN will happily forward your donation to a designated organization of your choice. To make a donation, visit https://www.mendofood.org.
This week’s Season of Sharing Heroes:
Anonymous
Ken Baumgartner DDS
Shelley Bronzan
Bryant Burkhardt
Victoria Center
Ann Conner
Carol Bishop De Jong
Jannis Fetters
Charles Fraser
Basil Gavin
Patti Harney
Jennifer Hess
Judy Hewitt
Bryant Hichwa
John Houston Jr
Guy Kingsley
Johanna Knaus
Rodney M. Kraus
Gin Paul Kremen
Marilyn Lemos
Michael Machado
MalinFamily FND- Judith Malin
Kira Meade
Eileen Mitro
Judith Nash
Gail Porcelan-Sullivan
Peggy Quaid
James Rainie
Joyce Reichmuth
Ari Schneider
Sheilaugh Sebastian
D.J. Sheffel M.D.
Adele Sommers
Lance Sprague
Stornetta Ranch LLC
Geoffrey Thompson
Clifford Tichenor
Elizabeth Vrenios
In Memory of Patricia Marien, from James Stavely
In Memory of Mum and Dad, from Anthony Wood
In Memory of James F. and Jan A. Grant, from Jeff and Susan Grant
In Memory of Frances and Alder Thurman, from Vanetta St. John