Newsletter - 2-02-09

Join the Club

The windows on the left showcase a world class view of Union Square, the Financial District, the Bay Bridge and the East Bay hills. The windows on the right display the bustling Tenderloin, Twin Peaks and all of the diverse neighborhoods leading out to the mighty Pacific. The panoramas from the Marine's Memorial Club's restaurant are nothing short of breathtaking. "Margarita on the rocks with no salt please," I instructed the waiter the last time I lounged at the bar there more than twenty years ago following a performance of "Noises Off" in which I had appeared. A couple of Wednesdays ago, I rode the elevator to the Marine's Memorial Club's 12th floor restaurant with the big windows for a very different, much more important purpose. Back in the beginning of January, the Marine's Memorial Club kitchen had called Food Runners to schedule regular pick ups. Although I usually do first time pick ups myself, what with getting the kids back to their school routines after all the holiday fuss, the first pick up just didn't fit into my schedule. Fortunately for me, Food Runners long time, superstar volunteer Micki E. stepped in. The morning after the first pick up, Micki called me bubbling over about how much fun she'd had on the run, how great the food was and how welcomed she'd felt by the Marine's Memorial Club restaurant staff who were relieved to see the excess food from the breakfast buffet going to folks in need instead of the trash. "The food was beautiful," Micki exclaimed. "And the staff lined up to shake my hand and thank me for my service. I'd like to sign up to do the run every Monday and Wednesday." Micki's been on the job ever since. A variety of other Food Runners volunteers fill in on the other days of the week. Every day, weekends too, the Marine's Memorial Club donates 3-4 trays of items leftover from their breakfast buffet: hard to come by nutritious and rib stickin' items like fresh fruit, sausage, bacon and breakfast burritos. The food gets delivered to a wide array of recipients including a ladies' shelter in the Western Addition, a children's home in the Fillmore, a center for homeless youth in the Haight and more. Everyone loves receiving the food from the Marine's Memorial Club. The Marine's Memorial Club donations represent some of the best quality food Food Runners receives. Next time you're in downtown San Francisco for the evening, why not thank the Marine's Memorial Club for their efforts to be green and community focused by donating to Food Runners. Stop in at 609 Sutter Street and ride the elevator to the twelfth floor. Grab a comfy chair at a table near a window. Relax and enjoy the magnificent view. You'll be glad you did.

Food Runners picked up and delivered 116,675 pounds in the month of January. Volunteers performed 780 runs and the truck did 228. Please welcome new donors Dog Patch Studios, 18th Street Commissary, Nob Hill Market and The Cheesecake Factory. Please welcome new recipients Father Alfred Center and St. Francis Lutheran Church Sunday food give away program. While calls from small businesses and private citizens are increasing due to the rise in green consciousness, donations from large events around town and donations generated by conventions and tourism are down due to the economic crisis which has led not only to fewer numbers of events, but to less attendance at events as well. The need is greater than ever.

Do you know what your local market does with their slightly damaged produce or items that are on or just past their sell-by date? Next time you're there, ask them. Then tell them about Food Runners. Encourage your market to help alleviate waste and support their local community. It's as easy as 1-2-3. Food Runners is just a phone call away. 415-986-0114.

Nancy

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