Sacramento — California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday visited Yolo Food Bank in Woodland today with Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry to thank volunteers for their critical support during the pandemic.

“At the start of the pandemic, food banks across the state experienced up to six times the normal demand as volunteer availability dwindled under necessary stay-at-home orders,” explained California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. “I can’t think of a better time to thank dedicated #CaliforniansForAll members than the National Day of Service. Our communities must continue to stand united in the face of the pandemic to ensure vulnerable Californians are fed.”

Governor Gavin Newsom launched the #CaliforniansForAll initiative in April of this year in response to the pandemic. It unites organizations in need of volunteers with Californians looking to serve. Since June, 70,000 volunteers have served nearly 300,000 hours to support food banks. 

“Volunteering keeps our communities together. Government can’t do it all,” explained Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry. “We need people to step up to volunteer. It will warm their hearts.”

“We are supportive of California Volunteers raising community awareness about the impact service can have on our local communities,” said Yolo Food Bank Executive Director Michael Bisch. “There is nothing we can’t do without volunteers.”

Californians interested in supporting the effort to sustain food banks through the pandemic are encouraged to sign up to be a #CaliforniansForAll member. More information can be found at CaliforniansForAll.ca.gov.