Mari Manglicmot
Mari Manglicmot

The Pantry Shelf – Newsletter November 2025

The Pantry Shelf is the San Lorenzo Family Help Center newsletter, connecting and creating a community of people on a mission to defeat hunger in Alameda County. Donate today to automatically subscribe to our newsletter.

Top Shelf – Our Programs​

In-Store Program

In the month of October, we served 1,117 unique families, 109 of which were new clients joining our San Lorenzo Family Help Center community for the first time. This rising demand may be partly linked to the government shutdown, which halted CalFresh benefits in November. We continue to see increased demands in November.

Celebrate the Season with Us!

We’re excited to offer holiday-inspired foods throughout December. Please note that quantities are limited, so we encourage you to enjoy them while they last!

We’re also happy to provide Halal food options to ensure everyone can find something they love.

Middle Shelf – Funding and Donations

The Alameda County Community Food Bank received additional funding to help address the shutdown and has increased both the amount and variety of food available to community pantries over the past few weeks. 

SLFHC has secured awards to help address rising demands for food: 

  • Albertsons–Safeway Foundation: $5,000 
  • Alameda County Rapid Respond Food Resilience Fund: $15,000
  • Alameda County Community Food Bank: $500 (support food recovery)

Bottom Shelf – Community

Community 

Community support has been incredible! Several recent food drives have filled our pantry to capacity with a diverse selection of donated foods, including festive items for the holiday. Turkeys were donated from various donors: 

  • Senator Dr. Aisha Wahab 
  • Graceway Hayward Christian Church
  • Local community families

Stocking Our Shelves

Giving Tuesday is December 2nd

Giving Tuesday is here! A generous donor is matching the first $5,000, doubling the impact of every gift. That means your donation feeds twice as many families.

Please join us—your support brings dignity, nourishment, and care to our neighbors. Donate. Match. Make a difference.

If you, your family, or a friend have a workplace matching program, this is the perfect time to use it. Double matches are an incredible way to help us reach our financial goals for the month.

Don’t wait—every dollar you give is doubled. Make your impact now! Donate! 

Donating Proceeds & Food to The Pantry

There are many ways to support the work we do at the San Lorenzo Family Help Center (SLFHC). In addition to one-time or monthly donations please consider:

  • Hosting a fundraiser on our behalf – create an event and invite friends and neighbors, then donate the funds to SLFHC.
  • Use your company giving platform and matching program – look to see if San Lorenzo Family Help Center is in your company non-profit donation platform. If we are not, then ask how they can add us.

Leave a legacy and add us to your estate plan – When you include the San Lorenzo Family Help Center in your estate plan, your generosity ensures an impact well into the future.

Please Donate Today and Defeat Hunger in Alameda County

We need your help to defeat hunger in the unincorporated area in and around San Lorenzo in Alameda County, CA. We cannot do it without you.

The San Lorenzo Family Help Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3), EIN 30-0554038.

The Pantry Shelf – Newsletter October 2025

The Pantry Shelf is the San Lorenzo Family Help Center newsletter, connecting and creating a community of people on a mission to defeat hunger in Alameda County. Donate today to automatically subscribe to our newsletter.

Check out what’s on the shelves in October 2025

Top Shelf – Our Programs​

In-Store Program

In the month of September, we served 967 unique families, 32 of which were new clients  joining our San Lorenzo Family Help Center community for the first time. The lower than expected participation was due to the extended closure during the first week of September.  

Pantry Redesign

The pantry has undergone a redesign which is centered on making the shopping experience welcoming and equitable for all clients. It reflects our belief that families deserve not only food support, but the dignity of choice and the confidence of a safe, clean environment.

The following improvements have been installed in our free-food store, funded through an Alameda County Community Food Bank capacity grant.

  • Glass-door display freezer 
  • Refrigerated display-deli case for premade meals
  • Multi-tiered produce shelving
  • Individual registration desks
  • Appointment text reminders 
  • 3 Hip-high chairs have been added to our reception room for clients 

Together, these upgrades improve food presentation, strengthen food safety practices, and affirm our commitment to creating a pantry environment that mirrors the dignity of a neighborhood grocery store.

Celebrate the Season with Us!

We’re excited to offer holiday-inspired foods for Thanksgiving and Christmas throughout November and December. Please note that quantities are limited, so we encourage you to enjoy them while they last!

We’re also happy to provide Halal food options to ensure everyone can find something they love.

Middle Shelf – Volunteers and Events

Volunteer Spotlight 

Milinda serves as our weekday supervisor and is often found warmly assisting clients at registration. We are grateful for her kindness, dedication, and unwavering passion for making the pantry a welcoming space where everyone can thrive.

“I knew when I retired that I wanted to “give back” in my community. I’ve tried lots of volunteer opportunities over the years. When I called the San Lorenzo Family Help Center and went in to see what they were all about, I had a good feeling and started the same day! Now, a year and a half later, I am still onboard! I really feel like I am making a difference in the Eden Area community, and specifically in my area where we now service all of Hayward. I have developed a relationship with a lot of our clients – I know what types of food they like, what “little extras” they may need, next appointment preferences, etc. I don’t give preferential treatment, but I do treat everyone with respect and dignity.”

-Milinda Mayfield

Community Events

We’d love you to join us in these activities; everyone is welcome and we hope to see you there!

Trunk-or-Treat event sponsored by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office
When: Thursday, October 30, 2025, 6pm-8pm
Where: 1050 Mattox Road, Hayward, CA 94541
More info here or at https://www.instagram.com/p/DPjqGTykl_k/

Light Parade event sponsored by Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber of Commerce
When: Saturday, November 8, 2025, 3pm-9pm
Where: Castro Valley Boulevard
More info here or at https://www.edenareachamber.com/cvlightparade/

Stocking Our Shelves

Donating Proceeds & Food to The Pantry

There are many ways to support the work we do at the San Lorenzo Family Help Center (SLFHC). In addition to one-time or monthly donations please consider:

  • Hosting a fundraiser on our behalf – create an event and invite friends and neighbors, then donate the funds to SLFHC.
  • Use your company giving platform and matching program – look to see if San Lorenzo Family Help Center is in your company non-profit donation platform. If we are not, then ask how they can add us.

Leave a legacy and add us to your estate plan – When you include the San Lorenzo Family Help Center in your estate plan, your generosity ensures an impact well into the future.

Please Donate Today and Defeat Hunger in Alameda County

We need your help to defeat hunger in the unincorporated area in and around San Lorenzo in Alameda County, CA. We cannot do it without you.

The San Lorenzo Family Help Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3). When you make your donation, we will provide the Tax ID.

Donate Here

The Pantry Shelf – Newsletter August 2025

🌈 Community in Action: A Record-Breaking Month

In July, our community came together like never before. Because of your incredible support, we reached a new milestone—serving 1,028 households, including 71 new families seeking food assistance.

This record turnout reflects the heart of our community—your compassion and generosity make it possible for every neighbor to leave with dignity, hope, and a full bag of groceries. Thanks to the support of local stores, food distributors, and dedicated volunteers, we continue to meet the growing need—together.

Thank you for being part of this growing movement of kindness. ❤️

🚲 Pedaling Toward Joy: Our Bicycle Rodeo

What a joyful day we had at our Bicycle Rodeo in partnership with Calvary Lutheran Church in San Lorenzo!

A huge shout-out to:

  • Cycles of Change for designing a fun, safe course
  • Kids Bike Lane for donating bikes and helmets
  • Pastor Matt Behrens, who joined in the ride and brought big smiles to the kids!

The event was packed with laughter, learning, and community spirit. Enjoy these photos taken during the event. 

 

🕌 Welcoming the Zakat Foundation of America

We’re honored to welcome our newest donor, the Zakat Foundation of America, whose thoughtful gift helps us meet the dietary needs of our Muslim neighbors.

In July, they donated 53 packages of Halal chicken, beef, and lamb, making it possible for us to provide food that respects and honors cultural and religious values.

What is Halal?

  • Halal means “permissible” in Arabic and refers to food prepared in accordance with Islamic dietary laws.
  • Through this partnership, we’re making sure everyone in our community feels seen, valued, and nourished.

🤝 Partnerships That Power Us Forward

Alameda County Community Food Bank: Investing in Dignity

A heartfelt thanks to ACCFB for awarding us a $17,000 Capacity Grant to enhance our pantry experience.

These upgrades will include:

  • A glass-door freezer for self-serve frozen items
  • A refrigerated display for fresh, ready-made meals
  • New produce displays to replace folding tables

Together, these improvements ensure that every client shops with dignity and choice.

Dublin Whole Foods: A Longstanding Contributor

We’re deeply grateful to Dublin Whole Foods for their $3,000 grant in support of our food recovery program. For over six years, they’ve stood with us—long before food waste mandates—donating:

  • 53,606 pounds of produce, dairy, baked goods, deli meals, snacks, and more in 2025 alone!

Their commitment helps us offer fresh, culturally familiar foods to those who need it most.

📊 By the Numbers: A Fun Fact to Celebrate

Since January 2nd, our food recovery team—powered by your generosity—has rescued an incredible 231,025 pounds of healthy, nourishing food!

That’s hundreds of thousands of meals made possible by you. Every pound matters. Every gift matters.
Let’s keep feeding hope—together.

📅 Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming Events & Opportunities

🌺 Island Joy – September 27 at 4 PM

Join us for an uplifting evening of food, music, and community.

🎟️ Tickets:

  • $30 per person
  • $50 per couple
    (Limited to 200 guests—reserve early!)

✨ Your ticket includes:

  • A delicious dinner
  • Live entertainment
  • Silent and dessert auctions

All proceeds support the launch of our Mobile Pantry Truck, bringing fresh food directly to underserved neighborhoods this fall.

🌟 Join Our Board of Directors

Do you care deeply about food justice and community service? We’re looking for passionate individuals—especially those with fundraising or development experience—to help guide our mission forward.

As a Board Member, you’ll play a key role in:

  • Expanding our Mobile Pantry into unincorporated areas
  • Strengthening our outreach and impact

📩 Interested? We’d love to hear from you.
Web: https://www.slzhelp.org/ | Email: SLZfoodbank@gmail.com | Phone: 341-314-6770

💛 With Gratitude

Together, we are building a stronger, more connected, and more compassionate community—one meal, one family, and one act of generosity at a time.

Thank you for continuing this journey with us.