Amazing People of Chico: the Hunger Trolley works to prevent people from going hungry
Hunger Trolley Helpers Group served 1,000 Hot Meals and 700 Breakfast Bags This Year.
In their own words:
The legendary Fred Rogers crafted a legacy premised on the idea of being neighborly to one another. When asked about the origin of his philosophy, Mr. Rogers recalled the words of his mother, who instructed him to always "Look for the helpers."
In November of 2018, our county experienced the Camp Fire - the deadliest and most destructive California wildfire to date. In a matter of hours, dozens of people died and thousands more were permanently displaced. The lack of stable housing also created a food shortage among our neighbors most in need and having a hot home cooked meal was impossible for most. The Hunger Trolley provided a solution: a committed and holistic collaboration of Chico citizens, who banded together as, ”Helpers”, to offer only what they were each able to personally give: the time, capability, and willingness to donate supplies, cook, package, and/or deliver meals in wagons referred to as, “Trolleys”, to Chico's most vulnerable neighbors. The only requirement for anyone interested in a meal has always been the affirmative answer to the question, "Are you hungry?"
What began as a monthly event has now become a weekly routine as we work to continue expanding our outreach. We would like to express our deepest thanks to ALL of the helpers who have supported Trolley throughout these challenging times. Those individuals, groups, and churches who continue to support the mission of Trolley through donations, time, and hard work have supported the making and delivery of 1,000 hot meals and 700 breakfast bags -- TOTALING 1,700 meals since we began weekly deliveries to support, Safe Space’s - Casey’s Place on February 12, 2021. We continued weekly meal deliveries after Casey’s Place closed for the summer, but during the weeks of the cooling center, we always made sure to go there as our first stop each week.
We have always given a little something extra to our unhoused neighbors, like pumpkin pie and hot spiced cider on Thanksgiving evening, or holiday stockings filled with needs like, nail clippers, chapstick, bath soap, gloves, lotions, hats, foot powder and socks -- lots and lots of socks in memory of our Helper and friend Casey Doran. In our holiday stockings last year were lots of homemade cookies, candy, and a holiday greeting card with a handwritten note from our Lead Conductor, Elizabeth Bogart. Beyond the 140 holiday stockings, our Helper, Jodi Rives, was responsible for collecting funds and items to give to a dozen kids who had experienced homelessness. We try to do special things for all the holidays. Right now, we are adding snack sized chocolates in each bag for the Halloween season, and on Valentine's day, every meal includes a special valentine. Something special we do each and every week is include homemade cookies in every meal. We have given out several thousand cookies made in our Helper kitchens this year -- a big shoutout to Helper Nan Miner who has made and delivered 6 dozen or more scrumptious homemade cookies a week for months.
Late in the spring, Hunger Trolley was offered the use of the commercial kitchen at Faith Lutheran Church on Friday afternoons to complete our cooking and packaging work and they also have committed to a monthly donation. We were also adopted by First Christian Church who have begun to support Trolley in several significant ways and we are extremely thankful to all our supporters, whether a person donates an onion, their time, or a check for $100 -- everyone contributing what they are able is how we can all care for our neighbors. We very much appreciate these partners and each and every helper who feels some ownership in our mission.
The Hunger Trolley Helpers Group applied for their 501(3)c status during the summer and has an Executive Board who includes: Natalie Valencia, Georgeanne Bennett, Summer O’Neill, Jesica Gianola, and Ashley-Michelle Papon. We are awaiting approval of our non-profit status in a few weeks. In the meantime, the organization is looking towards the future of getting you involved in the process through one of our new Trolley for Churches/Classrooms/Groups programs or become a helper and donate your time, money, or -- an onion. Message us to find out how. In the meantime there are several ways you can become involved in helping our neighbors in need, you can donate food supplies, volunteer as a helper, or donate monetary funds that go directly into making hot meals and snacks available for those in need and the supplies needed to do so.
Ready to Help?
Please join us in our mission: To provide lifesaving meals and essential supplies to anyone in need.
To become a part of the working group, go to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3019983788029090
Look for the weekly update posted on Tuesday.
