Donor News

"Grant J. Hunt Company, Distributors of Fresh Fruit and Produce", has joined Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa as its newest "food partner".  The company donated 21 cases of apples this November which were immediately used in our daily fruit salad, as well as being distributed directly to our clients on the "free tables" at each location.  Maurice Protzen, a company partner and Lafayette resident, has become a member of the Lafayette 100 and is arranging for regular donations of fruits and vegetables to Loaves and Fishes.  We are expecting a shipment of potatoes in December.  GJ Hunt has been a distributor of high quality produce in the Bay Area for over 75 years and has offices in California, Oregon and Washington.  Thank you GJ Hunt and Maurice Protzen for helping those who are struggling with hunger.

2011 marked AAA’s 15th Consecutive year of donating fresh turkeys to many non-profits located in Northern California, Nevada and Utah.  This year they donated close to 10 tons of turkeys to 26 non-profits. This is impressive and very much appreciated by Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa. The Turkeys were delivered to Loaves & Fishes on November 10. Chef James Porter, Development Director Joleen Lafayette and driver Tim Mays were all there to greet AAA when they arrived with the truck load of turkeys. Two AAA Agents Kristy Kropa and Kathleen Ellis also joined in to help from the AAA Antioch Office. When the turkeys arrived they were put into the refrigerator and are now waiting to be prepared for our upcoming holiday meals.

Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa is always excited to have a new partner supporting our mission of feeding the hungry. Recently, Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa received a $5,000 grant from The Diablo Country Club Charitable Foundation. The foundation is providing support to organizations that help individuals in need make a better life for themselves. The grant will be used to purchase food and supplies for our meal program. This grant is very much appreciated, especially in today’s economy when we are feeding so many people who are hungry.

Our new Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa Executive Director, David Gerson, is a long time Lafayette resident, community volunteer and member of the Lafayette School District Governing Board.  After joining us as Executive Director he realized that his own community was under represented on the agency’s donor list.  At the same time David joined our staff, Jay Lifson joined the Board.  Jay is also active in Lafayette and is currently the executive director of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce.  Together they decide to boldly approach their community and seek new donors.  Jay and David drafted an article highlighting LFCC mission, the increasing need for its services, their personal commitment to each donate a $1,000 to LFCC and seeking 98 more families to join them in funding LFCC’s mission of feeding the hungry in Contra County. The article was published on the front page of the September issue of “Lafayette Today”.