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
California Updates Food Labeling Starting July 1, 2026
California has chosen to define dates on food to better inform Californians and reduce food waste. Starting July 1, 2026 the California Law AB 660 goes into effect and “BEST if Used By” will be used to communicate peak quality, and “Use By” will be used to communicate product safety. You can read more about the new law at California Passes Landmark Date Labeling Law.
Stopwaste.org recommends we trust our senses when determining what we eat. Ask questions like is it moldy, lumpy, off color, in a crushed, dirty or rusty can or torn packaging. If the answer is yes, then compost the food. Other questions to ask should be does it have a foul odor or a slimy or shiny outer coat. Food should look good, smell good and of course taste good.
Food borne illnesses are serious. However, those illnesses tend to be caused by cross-contamination and letting food sit at room temperature too long, promoting the growth of bacteria. Find out more about how to read and understand current food labels at Stopwaste.org Food Date Labels.
In-Store Program
Our families are top shelf! We continue to grow, defeating hunger in more and more households in the unincorporated areas in and surrounding San Lorenzo, CA.
We ended 2024 providing nutritious food to 877 unique families in the month of December. As we start 2025, in January we supported 869 families. In comparison, last January (2024) we were just settling into our new warehouse and provided food to 322 families.
Middle Shelf - Partners & Volunteers
Volunteer Spotlight - Anne Milner
Our volunteer of the month is Anne Milner, our out-going Board of Directors President.
Anne started at the food pantry six years ago, filling bags with dry foods. She then moved into signing in clients for their food pick-ups, and eventually moved on to Board of Directors.
Anne was instrumental during the early days of the pandemic when the Pantry became a drive-through for food distribution. She could be seen pushing a computer cart around in the parking lot signing in clients at their car window. As the President of the Board of Directors Anne worked with Janelle Morimoto (Executive Director of the Pantry) to orchestrate our move to the new warehouse, providing an in-store shopping experience for our clients.
Anne is retiring from both the Board of Directors, as well as her volunteer work in the Pantry. When asked what Anne liked most, she had this to say “I like being a friend, working with other volunteers, and being able to apply my organizational skills even after retirement.”
We thank Anne for all the great work. She was recognized in 2024 for her volunteerism at the Pantry and was presented with the President’s Volunteer Recognition Award signed by President Biden.
Our Annual Meeting - January 26, 2025
Once a year the San Lorenzo Family Help Center holds an Annual Meeting where volunteers, donors, community members, get together to enjoy good food and each other’s company. Thank you to Kelly McCarthey, for catering our event. Kelly recently retired as the Bancroft Hotel catering director.
The meeting this year was held at the San Lorenzo Public Library. As you can see from the photos below, we had great food and great fun and a turn out of about 45 people.
New Board Members Elected in January 2025
At our Annual Meeting January 26, 2025 we voted in six new board members adding to the three continuing members — Chris Morin (Vice President), Elizabeth Brennan (Secretary), and Celeste Merryman (Member At Large).
The Board of Directors are all volunteers and during 2024, the board thoughtfully updated the bi-laws to expand the board of directors to nine people. The board is excited to expand and believe the additional numbers will provide the support necessary to expand and grow the San Lorenzo Family Help Center. The mission of the Pantry is to defeat hunger in Alameda County.
Officers will be elected on February 12, 2025.
Around the Corner
To stay up to date on what we are doing and where we are follow us on Facebook @ San Lorenzo Family Help Center, or on our website.
