Angels on Wheels
Jan 29, 2015 01:18PM ● By Bill Romanelli
(L to R) Tammy Thompson, Kelly Bender and Karen Murphy – phot by Dante Fontana © Style Media Group
It wasn’t hard for Kelly Bender to see there was a need in her community. As a volunteer at Twin Lakes Food Bank (TLFB), she regularly saw the effort it was taking many of the older visitors just to pick up their groceries. “Many had trouble walking, [or] were pulling oxygen tanks, and struggled just getting around,” Bender says. “It made us wonder if there were others who needed food but just couldn’t get to the food bank at all, so we started thinking about grocery deliveries.”
That was in May 2012. Now, nearly three years later, Angels on Wheels is delivering groceries to dozens of seniors in Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Orangevale and Granite Bay.
It may be surprising to learn that the food bank’s services are in such need, but the fact remains: Hunger is one of the largest issues facing the region. TLFB alone serves more than 835 families (3,500 people) every month, and neighboring Food Bank of El Dorado County serves more than 10,000 people monthly. Many of those in need are shut-ins who can’t get out or are on fixed incomes and, sadly, often have to choose between paying for health care or buying food and other necessities.
“They also need more than just food,” says Tammy Thompson, executive director at TLFB. “Just like any household they need basics, like laundry detergent, toilet paper and other supplies. Many of them are also very lonely and need companionship.” That, in part, is how Angels on Wheels got its name. Volunteers do much more than deliver groceries. They visit, provide hope, and help TLFB deliver on its mission to share God’s love.
“We hug them a lot,” Bender says. “From the beginning, the people we serve with this program have been calling our volunteers angels. We didn’t name the program—they did.” What’s more, Angels on Wheels makes arrangements with the Folsom Public Library to prepare goody bags filled with books, magazines, crossword puzzles and other items.
As word’s gotten around, the program has become more popular. The food bank is getting ready to launch a new team of volunteers, and more are needed. Volunteers visit each home in pairs to deliver groceries, socialize and make someone’s day better, and all it takes to become one is a good driving record, a meeting with the director, and a heart for serving others.
At the same time, TLFB itself is constantly in need of food and monetary donations, along with donations of baby items, clothing and household products. While they get tremendous support from Raley’s, Wal-Mart and Whole Foods Market, they also depend on donations from the community—the neighbors of the hungry—to meet local needs.
“Many of these people are all but forgotten,” Bender says. “It’s up to us as their community to step up, take care of them and help meet their needs.”
Visit twinlakesfoodbank.org for more information.
That was in May 2012. Now, nearly three years later, Angels on Wheels is delivering groceries to dozens of seniors in Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Orangevale and Granite Bay.
It may be surprising to learn that the food bank’s services are in such need, but the fact remains: Hunger is one of the largest issues facing the region. TLFB alone serves more than 835 families (3,500 people) every month, and neighboring Food Bank of El Dorado County serves more than 10,000 people monthly. Many of those in need are shut-ins who can’t get out or are on fixed incomes and, sadly, often have to choose between paying for health care or buying food and other necessities.
“They also need more than just food,” says Tammy Thompson, executive director at TLFB. “Just like any household they need basics, like laundry detergent, toilet paper and other supplies. Many of them are also very lonely and need companionship.” That, in part, is how Angels on Wheels got its name. Volunteers do much more than deliver groceries. They visit, provide hope, and help TLFB deliver on its mission to share God’s love.
“We hug them a lot,” Bender says. “From the beginning, the people we serve with this program have been calling our volunteers angels. We didn’t name the program—they did.” What’s more, Angels on Wheels makes arrangements with the Folsom Public Library to prepare goody bags filled with books, magazines, crossword puzzles and other items.
As word’s gotten around, the program has become more popular. The food bank is getting ready to launch a new team of volunteers, and more are needed. Volunteers visit each home in pairs to deliver groceries, socialize and make someone’s day better, and all it takes to become one is a good driving record, a meeting with the director, and a heart for serving others.
At the same time, TLFB itself is constantly in need of food and monetary donations, along with donations of baby items, clothing and household products. While they get tremendous support from Raley’s, Wal-Mart and Whole Foods Market, they also depend on donations from the community—the neighbors of the hungry—to meet local needs.
“Many of these people are all but forgotten,” Bender says. “It’s up to us as their community to step up, take care of them and help meet their needs.”
Visit twinlakesfoodbank.org for more information.