For Immediate Release: June 18, 2020

Collects donations for Elk Grove Food Bank

Sacramento, Calif. – For the third year in a row, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) is partnering with Cal Expo to sponsor Giving Monday at the Fair and is hosting a food drive in support of the Elk Grove Food Bank. The tradition began two years ago at the California State Fair and as a team, it was important that we partnered and continued this effort at this crucial time.

“This partnership is a great way to give back to those in our community who need it most,” said Rhonda Staley-Brooks, SMUD’s community development manager. “Last year, this effort collected 28,000 pounds of food, and this year we hope to surpass that. It’s these types of community efforts that help lift up our entire community and we’re glad to be a part of it.”

Though the 2020 State Fair was canceled this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, food banks have been hit especially hard due to increased demand for resources and are serving even more families. In fact, since the pandemic began, the Elk Grove Food Bank has experienced a 600 percent rise in the weekly number of new client registrations – an increase of more than 4,000 individuals in 1,100 families. 

“To compound the issue, two of our major food drives had to be canceled, which is a loss of 50,000 pounds of food. The donations we receive from Giving Monday will go far to narrow the gap,” said Marie Jachino, Elk Grove Food Bank’s executive director.

“We’re pleased to continue our tradition of serving the community by partnering with SMUD to help those in need during these especially difficult times,” said Cal Expo CEO and General Manager Rick Pickering. “Cal Expo has always seen its role in the community as one that goes beyond the fair and we encourage those who can contribute to the food drive to certainly do so.”

SMUD Giving Monday will accept non-expired items from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Cal Expo main gate, and donors will receive a free hand sanitizer in return. The first 500 people to contribute will receive a $5 gift card to Save Mart.

The Elk Grove Food Bank is in need of the following items:

• Canned meat (chicken or tuna)
• Peanut Butter
• Ensure
• Canned fruit
• Canned veggies
• Soup
• Beans
• Macaroni and Cheese
• Pasta
• Boxed Mashed Potatoes
• Packaged Rice
• Top Ramen
• Cereal