Feed the need in SBC
I have to admit I don’t forward emails to eight of my friends in
eight minutes in order to receive a special blessing in eight
hours.
I do occasionally forward messages that I find to be
important
– please consider this.
As you are aware, this year is one of the most financially
difficult in a very long time. Many of our friends and neighbors
are being affected by the meltdown of our economy. Here in San
Benito County our home foreclosure and unemployment rates are well
above the state as a whole.
We are getting more and more families here at the warehouse that
have never had to ask for help before. I don’t foresee improvement
for some time to come.
The childhood food insecurity is at about 17 percent, which
correlates with the childhood obesity and high diabetes rates. Many
children are eating not too much food but the wrong foods. The
cheaper foods are often those most filled with sugars and fats
– lacking good nutrition. These are the foods that families on a
short budget can afford. We are trying to not only feed the needy
but to educate regarding nutrition and also provide those foods
that are too dear for our clients to purchase.
Sixty-five percent of our 5,000 clients are either children or
senior citizens.
We are getting a good response to our annual Holliday Food Drive
but we need all the help we can get. I’ll be frank, because of this
unique time of year, both an increased awareness of those less
fortunate and of course the cutoff for tax deductions it is our
best time of year to raise funds.
You can donate either by cash, check or credit card at the
warehouse, by mail, or even online at our website www.community
pantry.com – just click the
”
donate now
”
button!
Please let your friends know you feel this to be a worthy cause,
by forwarding this message. Together we can continue to support
those less fortunate.
I wish you all a warm holliday season and a Happy New Year!!
Mary Anne Hughes
Executive Director
Community Pantry – The Food Bank of San Benito County
Feed the need in SBC
I have to admit I don’t forward emails to eight of my friends in eight minutes in order to receive a special blessing in eight hours.
I do occasionally forward messages that I find to be important – please consider this.
As you are aware, this year is one of the most financially difficult in a very long time. Many of our friends and neighbors are being affected by the meltdown of our economy. Here in San Benito County our home foreclosure and unemployment rates are well above the state as a whole.
We are getting more and more families here at the warehouse that have never had to ask for help before. I don’t foresee improvement for some time to come.
The childhood food insecurity is at about 17 percent, which correlates with the childhood obesity and high diabetes rates. Many children are eating not too much food but the wrong foods. The cheaper foods are often those most filled with sugars and fats – lacking good nutrition. These are the foods that families on a short budget can afford. We are trying to not only feed the needy but to educate regarding nutrition and also provide those foods that are too dear for our clients to purchase.
Sixty-five percent of our 5,000 clients are either children or senior citizens.
We are getting a good response to our annual Holliday Food Drive but we need all the help we can get. I’ll be frank, because of this unique time of year, both an increased awareness of those less fortunate and of course the cutoff for tax deductions it is our best time of year to raise funds.
You can donate either by cash, check or credit card at the warehouse, by mail, or even online at our website www.community pantry.com – just click the “donate now” button!
Please let your friends know you feel this to be a worthy cause, by forwarding this message. Together we can continue to support those less fortunate.
I wish you all a warm holliday season and a Happy New Year!!
Mary Anne Hughes
Executive Director
Community Pantry – The Food Bank of San Benito County
Serving the public isn’t ridiculous
My reply to Miss Eason on her comment about my suggestion of our shelter being open during the lunch hour of being “ridiculous” is not ridiculous. Did she view the suggestions from the Grand Jury in the same light? I gave many suggestions to the reporter during the interview.
One would have to be present to hear the questions and answers, and also realize that a newspaper is not going to print every quote, they have to be selective. In no way was it pertaining to ADOPTING A PET. It was put forth so that LOCAL people who work IN TOWN could come out during the lunch period to search for a MISSING PET, which can be accomplished in that time frame. Sadly it does not help those who work out of town. I also suggested (as did Miss Easton) that our shelter be open Tuesday through Saturday, closing on Sunday and Monday.
One important suggestion I did make, (again this was not printed), the city needs to hire a part-time kennel attendant, not a clerical assistant. This will help the current staff shortage, as the duties of the attendant will be to maintain the cleanliness of the kennels/cages and feed the animals. Thus freeing up the time of an animal control officer. If a good volunteer system can be implemented, the duties of the front desk could be handled by volunteers. This will take the citizens of Hollister stepping forward and offering their time. There are a few loyal people who on a regular basis have given up their time for some years now to perform such duties, but more are needed. If we want to see changes we need to do our part, I am sure the shelter staff will welcome new faces to help out. Call, make a difference in the lives of the unwanted animals, it will also make a difference in your life. Volunteering is your way of giving back to your community.
Our rescue has long been a proponent of trying to get changes implemented with the shelter for many years, all of which have fallen upon deaf ears. I am in agreement with Miss Eason that the city of Hollister and the police department, which oversees the shelter, are not likely to make any changes soon. BUT if we as citizens keep pushing forward with hope, we can get the matter on the table so to speak. It will take people attending the monthly City Hall meetings and speaking out for changes, which is our right as taxpayers.
Vivian A. Kennedy
President.
ACGSR Inc.
Hollister
Thanks, Supervisor Marcus and others
In the past five years I have been writing a few letters for both newspapers but mainly the Free Lance. I have been enjoying it and my letters have been based on the truth and common sense. Now that the Free Lance is kind of running out of space it is time for me to let them go because of age and health. I find that it is time to let the experts take over. I would like to thank the Free Lance editors and staff for accepting my letters. They must believe in me in part to let these letters be published. I wish good luck to the Free Lance and hope that one day it turns back to normal. It is well missed.
I would like to thank the public, especially to the ones who have been supporting me and encouraging me with compliments. Thanks to all from the bottom of my heart.
I wish all a great new year full of happiness, health and prosperity. Good luck to the ones who might have disagreed. I don’t force anyone to read it but if you read it, it must be because you found something of interest. I cannot complain because I never had one person meet me face to face because I said or did something wrong.
It is hard to condemn the truth. Life is short and we all have been allowed to live so many years. We can’t buy age. When our time is up the only option is goodbye Charlie until the day we see you again. For as long as I can help myself I will continue to attend supervisors’ meetings. I am still interested to know where our taxpayers’ money goes.
I would like to thank Don Marcus who just retired from the board with so many recognitions. Good family. Don’s family was there the first day he sat on the board and again on the last day with the only difference this time there was one more added to his family, a dolly, his granddaughter. Thank you, Don, for the times you gave me a hand. God bless you and a happy New Year to all! This is only my opinion.
Amadeu Lima
Hollister
Sorry if you were missed
The Homeless Task Force Board and staff of the Shelter would like to apologize to those in the community who were not contacted to participate this year. With the departure of our board member who handled the calendar in previous years, some of our volunteer information has been lost.
It was never our intention to deliberately exclude anybody and we do sincerely appreciate all your efforts in the past.
We also realize our program has been a success because of our community volunteers and you are still needed. Please accept our apologies and if there is anybody who would still like to participate, please contact Cindy Parr at 801-9531.
Cindy Parr
Shelter manager
Thanks come through the tears
This letter has been a long time coming and I would like to thank Mark Paxton for encouraging me a while back to write this.
First of all, to everyone who supported and sent monetary donations for my grandson’s college funds after my son-in-law, Michael Yarbrough, was killed last April 2007, a big hug and thanks so very much. Although the court system and Spring Grove administration were a huge disappointment, we find strength and comfort in our faith in God.
My son, Vince and wife Crystall and family live in Conroe, Texas, and were hit by Hurricane Ike. The generous donations from family, friends and my customers were so helpful, being there was no work for Vince. At that time they were expecting their second child due this month. Little Vinny came early, Nov. 22, on his big sister Hailey’s fourth birthday, with complications. He was transferred to Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston and was doing well enough to be released. On Dec. 15, complications developed and he passed away. Again the love and prayers of support poured in.
Thank you to the best customers on the planet for your patience and understanding during our trying times, especially while I’ve been here in Texas.
My heartfelt thanks to Fr. Rudy Ruiz for his words of faith and love of the Lord. You inspire me to find strength and the words to help all my children and grandchildren find some kind of peace. Also, to John Amelio for always being there for us and his kind of loving words of faith.
And John Sanders and son Jonathan for your years of friendship and help with all our arrangements for Michael and now for our little angel Vinny Jr. on coming home to California.
I’ve always told my kids that life is an adventure and we have to do the best with what God gives us. We never know when we have to leave this life but I believe the test is clear. Life is our test and to never lose faith that God’s plan is for all to be joined together in Heaven.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. You are all an inspiration to me and my family to carry on.
Rose Ortiz
Hollister
Editor’s note: Vincent M. Cefalu Jr. is survived by his parents, Vincent and Crystall Cefalu Sr.; sisters Hailey Cefalu and Tayler Foster; brother Gavin Foster; grandparents Vincent D. Cefalu, Rose Ortiz, Terry Lee Mixon, Josie Mendez, Diane Mixon and Vonnie and Jimmy Hasara; great-grandparents Juventino Ortiz, Frances Cefalu, Lydia Mixon and Lee Leonard.
