Food For Thought, a Sonoma County non-profit that provides healing nutrition to individuals, held its virtual fundraiser Our Virtual Table on June 13. Founded in 1988 amidst the AIDS epidemic to provide groceries to its seriously ill neighbors, Food For Thought serves low-income clients who are affected by a wide range of serious illnesses and those who are at risk for malnutrition.
Misti Woods, a Food For Thought Board member who serves as Community Engagement Liaison for the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office emceed the event; Food For Thought’s Executive Director Ron Karp served as event host. State Senator Mike McGuire and Sonoma County Supervisor Lynda Hopkins welcomed all guests by video.
Local band The King Street Giants played their own special version of New Orleans jazz during the evening. Guests had the option of ordering a three-course takeaway gourmet meal by Park Avenue Catering. Russian River Vineyards offered a selection of wines for purchase, with proceeds benefiting Food For Thought’s life-saving programs.
The evening also included remarks by clients, including a man named Jim who has been receiving assistance intermittently from Food For Thought since 1991. Jim returned to Food For Thought during the pandemic when the income from his pet-sitting business dried up and impacted his ability to buy healthy food.
Demand for Food For Thoughts’ services escalated dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic as the organization went from serving approximately 850 clients per year to serving more than 4,000 clients annually. Operating under the philosophy that food is medicine, Food For Thought’s services increase the health of clients, reduce food insecurity, decrease costs to the health care system and improve the lives of hundreds of individuals in need, including those who do not qualify for other free and low-cost meal services.
IMPACT: Money raised will support Food For Thoughts’ services including healthy groceries, prepared meals, vitamins, supplements and nutrition counseling.
SPONSORS: Snoopy’s Home Ice, Exchange Bank, Kaiser Permanente and Willow Creek Wealth Management.
Donna Berry Glass is a freelance writer in Marin County who writes mostly about family and kid-oriented topics. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family exploring the natural beauty of Marin, snuggling with her Cavalier King Charles spaniel while reading a good book or whipping up something delicious in her space-challenged kitchen. Donna is a supporter of the California Academy of Sciences, a world class science museum and research institution, and the Institute on Aging which provides much needed services to seniors and disabled individuals.
