Community Kitchen Graduation

On Friday September 1st twelve students from the most recent class at Community Kitchen successfully completed the 16-week curriculum program and graduated! It was a wonderful and heart-warming celebration. A number of the students told their personal stories, sharing the challenges they faced prior to joining the class as well as during this 16-week session. The obstacles that many of them overcame to continue in this program were absolutely incredible! It was great to see the outpouring of support from family and friends of the students, as well as members of the Board of Directors and staff of St. Mary’s/Westside Food Bank.

Most of our programs at the food bank focus on handing food out to individuals, agencies and to the community. The Community Kitchen chef-training program is successfully designed as a “hand up” to assist individuals who really needed help changing their lives. Congratulations to the staff at Community Kitchen for truly making a difference in our students’ lives. Congratulations to the Community Kitchen students and best wishes for a successful future!

Community Relations

Approximately two weeks ago Sandy Schimmel Gold, our Director of Community Relations, announced her intention to leave the food bank to pursue her art career full-time. Sandy is a very accomplished artist and over the years has successfully grown her portfolio and business. Sandy and her husband Norm felt it was time to unfold that chapter of Sandy’s life and allow her to expand further into the art world.

During her tenure at the food bank, Sandy has been responsible for our Community Relations Department which is responsible for all of the food bank’s marketing efforts, media relations, Buy-a-Bird, education and research programs and community food drives.

Her uniqueness, knowledge and experience have brought a greater awareness locally and nationally to the issue of hunger. The working relationships she has developed and successfully maintained with the media, other food banking organizations, government agencies and the community as a whole will continue long after she has left, as will the many programs and events she has created.

Thank you, Sandy, for your tireless commitment and dedication to the mission and vision of the food bank. While your presence will be missed, your energy and spirit remains. Our best wishes to you for a very successful art career and future!