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The Metronome 02 - May 2026

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209 GIVES

24-HOUR ONLINE FUNDRAISER SUPPORTING LOCAL NON-PROFITS

S K E D A D D L E B U B B L E R U N #2 BEATS ON. . .

aturday, May 9th

WORDS FROM OUR CEO

I’d like to share some numbers from the newly issued 2025 San Joaquin County 211 report. 89,263 calls, texts, and emails were made to the 211 help line serviced by the Family Resource Center of San Joaquin staff. Housing, Utilities, mental/healthcare and food insecurity are the top reasons residents place a 211 call. Food insecurity is both widespread and deeply interconnected with stabilizing housing, income, and health; hunger can overwhelm a resident fighting for a secure place in our community. In our Main Food Pantry, we serve over 73,000 residents annually Those families line up between 9AM and 12 noon, Monday through Friday – that’s about 450 cars each day passing through the Main Pantry We serve a total of 107 sites throughout the County with our Programs Our readership here supports

Thank you!

OVER 1.5 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD DISTRIBUTED (JAN-MAR) (JAN-MAR) our food bank with food drives, volunteer work, and donations of both dollars and food. I’m grateful for the hearts and hands who keep us going forward. And for each of you reading The Metronome. We’ve been here 58 years; we’ll be nimble, resourceful, and resilient and be here whenever a resident of San Joaquin needs us.

EVENTS TO LOOK FORWARD TO

“I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.”
Maya Angelou

2026 Cinco de Mayo Multicultural Festival Weekend - May 1 -May 3 12pm-10pm st rd

3-day multicultural celebration with live entertainment, food, carnival rides, Ballet Folklórico, kids’ activities, a health fair, a car show, and over 150 booths.

San Joaquin County Fairgrounds, 1658 S Airport Way, Stockton, CA 95206

USPS Stamp Out Hunger - Saturday, May 9th

Help us fight hunger right from your mailbox! On May 9th, the USPS Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive makes it easy to support the Food Bank. Just leave non-perishable food items in a bag by your mailbox, and your letter carrier will do the rest! Every item collected stays local and supports neighbors facing food insecurity.

Senior Open House and Resource Fair + Vendors - Wednesday, May 9 , 9am-11am th

To celebrate "Older American's Month," join us for a day of helpful information! Come interact with the vendors and learn about products and service that are available to seniors.

Lolly Hansen Senior Center 375 E. 9th Street Tracy, CA 95376

209Gives - Tuesday, May 19th

Join Stockton's biggest day of giving! 209Gives is a 24-hour online fundraiser supporting local nonprofits, like you, working to strengthen our community. www.209gives.org

Kaiser Skedadle Bubble Run - Sunday, June 7 , 8am th

Get ready for a fun-filled, family-friendly run like no other! The Kaiser Skedaddle Bubble Run combines fitness and fun with a bubble twist! Perfect for all ages and activity levels. Come out, get moving, and support a great cause while enjoying a day of community spirit.

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!!! Skedadle Bubble Run Sign-Up Link

PG&E Assistance Day - Friday, June 12 , 9am-12pm th

Need help with your PG&E bill? Want to take care of a past-due bill? Curious if there are any assistance programs that you can qualify for? PG&E Assistance Day connects the community with resources, programs, and support to help lower utility costs and manage energy expenses. Stop By the Emergency Food Bank and speak with PG&E team members who will be on-site to provide all the information you may need.

7 W Scotts Ave, Stockton, CA 95203

DONATION OF THE MONTH

CANNEDBEANS

PACKED WITH NUTRITIOUS PROTEIN AND FIBER

ALWAYS READY TO USE IN A VARIETY OF DISHES

SUPPORTS HEART HEALTH & BLOOD SUGAR

Beans are a staple food enjoyed by many cultures around the world, and for good reason Whether prepared from

scratch or purchased canned, beans are a convenient, affordable, and highly nutritious option Canned beans, in particular, are shelf-stable, budget-friendly, and versatile

They can be easily incorporated into meals such as breakfast scrambles, salads, pasta sauces, soups, burrito bowls, or served as a simple side dish

You may wonder how canned beans are made The process is relatively simple: dry beans are cleaned, soaked, and partially cooked before being sealed in a can with water, brine, or sauce They are fully cooked during the canning process, making them ready to use straight from the can

When selecting canned beans, consider choosing options labeled “low sodium” or “no salt added” to reduce sodium intake If only regular cans are available, rinsing and draining them can help reduce excess sodium It is also advisable to limit baked beans, as they are often packaged in sauces that are higher in sodium

In addition to their convenience, canned beans offer significant nutritional benefits They are an excellent plantbased source of protein, fiber, and folate (vitamin B9), all of which contribute to heart health Fiber, in particular, helps slow the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, supporting more stable blood sugar levels

Astoundingly, only 7% of adults in the United States consume the recommended daily value of fiber This is concerning, as low fiber intake is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes Incorporating canned beans into your meals is a simple and effective way to increase your fiber intake A single serving provides approximately 7-8 grams of fiber, about one-quarter of the recommended daily amount

For reference, a standard serving size of cooked beans is ½ a cup

Surgeon General does not consider jelly beans to be canned beans

“WHEN IT COMES TO QUICK AND NUTRITIOUS MEALS, CANNED BEANS ARE A PANTRY STAPLE THAT CAN HELP YOU MANAGE A BUSY SCHEDULE.”

24HOURONLINE FUNDRAISER:209GIVES

TUESDAY,MAY19TH

We have yet to reach our goal of $10,000, but with your help we can reach it this year!

Since 1968, the Emergency Food Bank has been dedicated to ending hunger in our community by providing nutritious food to individuals and families facing food insecurity.

Beyond food distribution, EFB is deeply committed to improving long-term health outcomes through robust nutrition education programs We've evolved to meet our community's needs while staying true to our commitment as an independent, communitybased nonprofit This growth in our organization means fundraisers like 209 Gives are crucial to ensure we have the resources to continue our mission. We are optimistic about reaching our goal of $10,000 this year with your support Visit our page on Tuesday, April 19 , and donate what you can th

You can also click the 209 Gives logo to visit our page now and take a look at how we can utilize your support!

SUNDAY JUNE 7TH

FOAMY FUN WITH MOUNTAINS OF BUBBLEST

LOCATED IN ONE OF THE NICEST PARKS IN STOCKTON

PERFECT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Skedaddle

Bubble Run

Stamp Out Hunger Saturday, May 9th

PHYSICAL FITNESS & MENTAL HEALTH

Nearly 1 in 5 people in the U.S. live with a mental health condition, and 46% of Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable condition at some point in their lives

To help address this, Mental Health America established May as Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and reducing stigma associated with mental health

In the United States, anxiety and depression are the most common mental health conditions, often influenced by physical health and environmental stressors. This May, consider taking a moment to check in with yourself and prioritize your mental well-being, especially during times of increased stress

Start with small, meaningful steps. Make time for activities that bring you joy, whether that’s giving back to others or doing something you don’t often have time for Creative outlets, such as journaling, drawing, or engaging in your favorite art form, can help process emotions and reduce stress Practices like meditation can also help calm the mind and create a sense of balance

Physical activity is another effective way to support your mental health Exercise prompts the release of endorphins, which are chemicals in your brain that boost your mood and energy levels. It can also provide a helpful mental break from daily stressors Even if your energy levels are low, a short 10-15 minute walk outside can make a difference

“EXERCISE CAN BE FUN IF YOU GIVE IT A CHANCE. TRY DIFFERENT FORMS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY UNTIL YOU FIND THE OPTION THAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU. YOU CAN START SMALL AND WORK YOUR WAY UP TO MORE CHALLENGING ACTIVITIES!”

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MINUTES OF MODERATE EXERCISE 3-5 TIMES A WEEK SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVES MENTAL HEALTH

The American Heart Association recommends that adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week It also recommends incorporating strength training exercises at least twice a week If you choose to focus on moderate-intensity aerobic activity, this can be achieved by completing 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week, making it feel more manageable

If you’re looking to become more active but aren’t sure where to begin, start small Taking a brisk walk for 5–10 minutes a few times a day can add up You can even break the 30 minutes of daily activity into shorter intervals, for example, 10 minutes in the morning, afternoon, and evening A brisk walk would be a great example of moderate activity

Additional examples of moderate activity include water aerobics, dancing, gardening, biking, and active forms of yoga, such as vinyasa or power yoga

Not only is Dutch Bros willing to roll up their sleeves to serve their community, but they do it with a smile and a great cup of Joe.

VOLUNTEERS OF THE MONTH DUTCHBROS.

Here at the Emergency Food Bank, we are a small staff of 24 employees, so having consistent volunteers makes a huge difference in how we get work done.

We serve thousands of our community members each year, and being able to count on partners like Dutch Bros makes the load a little lighter. Dutch Bros has partnered with our organization by volunteering here four times this year. The staff members who joined us, giving their time and energy, were amazing.

Our volunteer experience begins with a continental breakfast and time with an Emergency Food Bank staff member, where we provide an overview of our organization, programs, and services.

$6,286 was raised during Dutch Luv this year!

This time is fully dedicated to a questions and answers session, and the Dutch Bros teams were very engaged They asked lots of questions and loved our Emergency Food Bank trivia game At each volunteer day, they brought a delicious carafe of Dutch Bros specialty coffee to share with our staff.

During the month of February, Dutch Bros selected the Emergency Food Bank as the local nonprofit to donate $1 from every drink sold to support food-related organizations Dutch Luv proceeds, totaling $6,286, went right back to the community, where we used them to support our Main Food Pantry program

KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING, SUPPORT WHILE YOU EAT!

Craving Pizza? Turn your next meal into a way to give back!

ORDER ONLINE FROM PAPA JOHN'S IN STOCKTON

Use promo code EFBST25

Get 25% OFF your order

And Papa John's donates 10% to the Food Bank

Don't wait, this offer runs through October 31, 2026. Order today and make your meal count!

Hours of Operation (Mon-Fri)

8:00am - 3:30pm Food Distribution

9:00am - 12:00pm Walk-Up Distribution

10:00am - 11:00am Contact Us (209) 464-7369 info@stocktonfoodbank.org

“It's an ingenious solution to a problem that should never have existed in the first place.” – James May

Leonard O. Hansen

Kathy Croci Director of Administration

Alesha Pichler

Community Relations Manager

Consuelo Ishihara Exectutive Assistant

Alana Moreno

Nutrition Education Program Manager

Jennifer Moreno

Nutrition Educator

John Scace

Warehouse Op. Coordinator

Anthony Villalobos President & CEO

Media Associate/Editor for the Metronome

THE METRONOME BEATS ON

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The Metronome 02 - May 2026 by Emergency Food Bank - Issuu