SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) – The Office of Assemblyman Ken Cooley (D) awarded River City Food Bank 501(c)(3) the 2020 Nonprofit of the Year recognition on Friday, October 30. Cooley joined the Arden Arcade food distribution facility located at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church to tour and witness the services rendered to those struggling with food insecurity.

Families and individuals gathered at the open house while the Assemblyman took the early moments of the morning to reflect on the symbolism portrayed on the Capitol building’s pediment which inspires legislators to honor nonprofits. The statues he referred to depicted men on horseback fending off natural threats such as a mauling grizzly bear and a charging buffalo for Athena, goddess of wisdom and warfare, surrounded by the embodiments of Education, Justice, Industry and Mining.

Organizations such as River City Food Bank said Cooley are subduing the great challenges that nature now presents humanity: “that has been the mission of the food bank,” to tame the raw forces of nature on behalf of the communities served.

The Covid-19 pandemic has been such a challenge as the food distribution facility saw a 32 percent increase this year. According to the Office of Assemblyman Ken Cooley, “as employees continue to be laid off or are forced to stay home to care for their children, and begin to deplete their financial reserves, the need for food assistance is skyrocketing.”

River City Food Bank executive director Amanda McCarthy said, “the partnership here with the Episcopal Diocese has been really ideal since this area is practically a ‘grocery store desert’… we make sure we get food to people and that at least 50 percent of what we provide is fresh produce.” She said residents, and especially refugees, without means of transportation, greatly benefit from the food bank’s presence there.

Mike Wiley board of director and past president of River City Food Bank said they are very honored to receive the California Legislature Assembly Certificate of Recognition from the 8^th District Assemblyman. “This is the first time since its founding in 1968 that we have received the Nonprofit of the Year recognition,” he said.

River City Food Bank’s main distribution center is located in midtown at 1800 28th Street Sacramento, CA 95816 (916) 446-2627

Food distribution hours for midtown are Tuesday–Thursday: 10:30a.m.–1:30p.m. and at Arden Arcade: Friday-Saturday 10:30a.m.–1:30p.m.

River City Food Bank Center at St. Matthew's is located on 2300 Edison Ave. Sacramento, CA 95821

For more information visit rivercityfoodbank.org/