2025 Winter Update
We would like to thank our many supporters and volunteers
whose generous gifts of time and treasure allowed our ministry to keep up with
the growing need for food assistance in our community last year.
We especially extend heartfelt gratitude to our church
partners, civic organizations, local government, retail and corporate friends,
local educators, and Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services for their
numerous and varied support allowing us to expand and grow our capacity to
serve the community and families in need.
In 2024 we were blessed with $230, 000 in community support
including $68,000 in grant funding we applied for and received, $70,000
donations from our church partners, $7,000 from civic organizations, $16,000 from
local businesses, and $75,000 from individual donors like you.
For 2025 we have already been awarded $70,000 in grant
funding and will be seeking additional opportunities to update our facility and
increase our capacity to serve.
In 2024 our volunteers clocked in and served 50,000 hours.
This included 100 volunteers who serve on a regular (daily, biweekly, weekly,
and monthly) basis as well as 450 first-time volunteers. Many of our volunteers
have been serving for many years including a large number who have been with us
since the beginning of the pandemic and will be celebrating their 5th
anniversary in 2025.
Thank God for you and our volunteers! When we look at the
number of people we served in 2024, it is remarkable bordering on miraculous. It
is hard to believe we continue to meet the needs day to day, week to week, and
year to year, but with your help and the grace of God, we do.
2024 Statistics
8,000 Households (2,500 Citrus Heights)
25,000 Individuals (1,000 homeless)
33,000 Food Distributions (150-190 households per day)
1.4 million meals (including 2.2 million pounds of donated
fresh and nonperishable food)
1.5 million pounds of food recovered from our Feeding
America partner stores (5-8 stores daily/5 days a week)
Of the 8,000 households we served in 2024, 50% had never
received food assistance from our agency previously. These statistics show that
food insecurity is increasing, and your continued support is helping us keep
up.
There is no other time of year that shines a spotlight on
the growing need than our annual Thanksgiving distribution. Traditionally held
on the Thursday and Friday before Thanksgiving, these two days bring together
the number of volunteers and clients normally seen over the course of two to
four weeks. This year with the help of our friends at Sacramento Food Bank
& Family Services, Grocery Outlet, Safeway, Raleys, San Juan Masonic Lodge,
Republic Services, PG & E, Cricket Wireless, CGI and many more, we were
able to provide holiday food boxes plus a frozen turkey or $15 gift card to
nearly 2000 families, including deliveries to Vintage Oaks, Mesa Verde High
School, Sylvan Middle School, Sunrise Pointe and Sayonara Center.
Amazing things happen when we all work together! If you
would like to see photos and articles written about this year’s Thanksgiving
distribution or any of the other wonderful events from 2024, please visit our
website and check out the Photo Gallery. On our website, you will also see our
upcoming events including Dutch Luv Day on Valentine’s Day at participating
Dutch Bros locations. $1 from every drink sold will be donated to our food
closet. 2025 marks the 7th year that our ministry has been selected
to receive the collected donations from Dutch Luv Day. Please follow us on Facebook to stay up to
date.
Thank you so much for helping Sunrise Christian Food
Ministry provide food and services to individuals and families in our community
who are facing food insecurity. We look forward to 2025 and all the amazing
work God has planned for us in the months and years ahead.
Bless you,
Sunrise Christian Food
Ministry, Board of Directors
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