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By Sharan Street
Published Nov 20, 2023

Image credit: Courtesy of Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz

Take It to the Bank

For Greeks and Romans, the concept was "philanthropia"—a term first used in 500 BCE by Aeschylus in Prometheus Bound. The ancient Egyptians called it Ma’at. African cultures embraced Ubuntu. Buddhists and Hindus practiced Dana. Jews practiced Tzedakah while Christians preached Caritas and Muslims honored Sadaqah.

It all adds up to the concept of giving to others.

From now until the end of the year, ’tis the season indeed. Look no further than these large fundraising efforts in our coverage area:

Give Back Tahoe 2023, spearheaded by the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, runs Nov. 28-Dec. 31.

Run to Feed the Hungry, the country’s largest Thanksgiving Day fun run, takes place Nov. 23.

Monterey County Gives, a collaboration between the Monterey County Weekly, the Monterey Peninsula Foundation and the Community Foundation for Monterey County, runs through Dec. 31.

Santa Cruz Gives, presented by Good Times in partnership with the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County, and with the support of various local nonprofits, runs through Dec. 31.


Food for Thought

This is also the harvest season, when we share bountiful meals around the holiday table. But the flip side of bounty is paucity, and that’s something far too many Californians experience. California Local’s Jonathan Vankin digs into this subject in an explainer on hunger and food insecurity—and the difference between them. He also explores some governmental and societal actions that would help eliminate hunger.


Hunger and Food Insecurity in California: What It Is, What to Do About It

Almost half of all low-income Black adults in California experience food insecurity.
Hunger and food insecurity have become persistent problems in California. With the world’s fifth-largest economy, what steps can we take to make sure that everyone has enough to eat?

Nourishing the Community

Despite California’s agricultural bounty, many households find that paychecks don’t cover the high cost of housing and other necessities—and they may find themselves becoming food insecure. When that happens, thankfully it’s possible for them to make a withdrawal from a local food bank. These nonprofit organizations are dedicated to safely storing millions of pounds of food that can be deployed to nutritional programs, food pantries and soup kitchens.

The oldest food bank was founded in 1967 in Arizona, but the second-oldest was born right in California. After more than 50 years, this Santa Cruz-based nonprofit is still going strong. In 1979 it became part of Second Harvest, a group of 13 food banks; since then, that network has grown into the national organization Feeding America.

Erica Padilla-Chavez, Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz’s new CEO, talks with California Local about the challenges she faced—floods, storm damage, and tough economic times—since coming into the job in 2022. She also describes how Santa Cruzans reacted when times got tough. Explaining that there’s “something magical” about the food bank, Padilla-Chavez asserts, “The community really embraces this place as their own.”

As we enjoy a little down time to celebrate a holiday that’s all about giving thanks, this is an opportune time to think about what nonprofit groups in our communities are doing something magical. And then embrace them as our own.


Setting the Table for Social Change

Second Harvest CEO Erica Padilla-Chavez (at right) with a group of local Rotary members who helped wrap Holiday Food & Fund Drive barrels.
Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County CEO Erica Padilla-Chavez looks at food insecurity as a symptom of an underlying disorder—one that can be cured.

California’s Oldest Food Bank Pays It Forward

Working together with many volunteers, this crew feeds 65,000 people in Santa Cruz County every month.
For the food-insecure community in Santa Cruz County, Second Harvest Food Bank feeds the need.


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San Benito County Historical Society logo San Benito County Historical Society

Since 1957, the Historical Society has devoted itself to collecting and preserving materials pertaining to the San Benito County of yesteryear.

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Recent Local News

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• Youth Alliance Announces Blanket Drive

Youth Alliance has announced its second annual Blanket Drive to benefit local youth during the winter season, partnering with local businesses in Hollister to collect blankets during November.

(11/20/2023) → Benito Link

• El Teatro Campesino Stage Manager Milt Commons Dies at 96

The longtime stage manager and associate of San Juan Bautista’s El Teatro Campesino was respected for his work in Teatro founder Luis Valdez’s landmark play “Zoot Suit,” as well as “La Pastorela” and “La Virgen de Tepeyac.”

(11/17/2023) → Benito Link

• San Juan Bautista Takes Action on Parklets, Growth

The San Juan Bautista City Council made several decisions that will affect the town for years to come, including retaining food and beverage parklets until mid-2026, passing a long-debated urban growth boundary that restricts future developments through 2035, and reassessing the San Juan Bautista Economic Development Citizens Advisory Committee.

(11/17/2023) → Benito Link

• Girl Scout Refurbishes Children’s Room at Emmaus House

Delaney Drew has redesigned the children’s room at Emmaus House, the only temporary emergency shelter in San Benito County for families who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or human trafficking.

(11/16/2023) → Benito Link

• Nicolás Cocina de Herencia Finally Opens in Carmel

It was roughly 30 months ago when Edible reported Villa Azteca was adding an ambitious sibling on Carmel Plaza’s ground floor next to Alvarado Street Brewery & Bistro.

(11/14/2023) → Edible Monterey Bay

• San Benito County Elections Department Takes Precautionary Measures in Light of Threats

In collaboration with the Offices of the County Administration, Emergency Services, and Sheriff, the elections staff are implementing precautionary steps to ensure the safety and well-being of employees. Vigilance and caution are being exercised in the handling of election mail.

(11/14/2023) → Benito Link
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Recent Statewide News

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• One of Largest Cannabis Distribution Companies in State Goes Up in Smoke

HERBL, one of California’s biggest cannabis companies, collapsed earlier this year. The company, which sold $700 million of cannabis last year, reportedly shorted the state $17 million in taxes.

(11/20/2023) → SFGate

• CA Lottery Director Gives Notice

Alva Johnson, director of the California State Lottery has given his two weeks’ notice. Johnson had arrived in 2019, a year after a whistleblower complaint helped spur a reckoning for the agency.

(11/20/2023) → Sacramento Bee

• Schwarzenegger Rules Out U.S. Senate Bid, Talks California

Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger met Nov. 17 with Sacramento press corps members. He ruled out a U.S. Senate bid, saying the only thing he was interested in running for was president, while acknowledging he can’t do this because he was born in Austria.

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• Oakland A’s Are Relocating to Las Vegas

Three years after the NFL's Raiders abandoned Oakland for Las Vegas, MLB's Oakland A's announced they're moving there too. The owners of the teams unanimously approved the MLB team’s move.

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• Joe Biden Touts Gavin Newsom as a Future President

During a trip to San Francisco, President Biden said that California’s governor “could have the job I’m looking for.” The remarks have fueled speculation about whether Newsom might step in to run instead of Biden in 2024.

(11/16/2023) → SFGate

• Paul Pelosi Attacker Convicted, Faces Life in Prison

David DePape had originally targeted Pelosi’s wife, Rep. Nancy Pelosi. He was convicted in federal court on Nov. 16 and still faces state charges.

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• State Debuting Mental Health App for Young People Next Year

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• Natural Resources Agency Launches Plan to Increase Outdoor Access in California

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• It's About to Get Easier for California College Students to Study in Their Own Language

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• Barbara Lee’s Lagging Senate Bid Doesn’t Equal Another House Term

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(11/13/2023) → Sacramento Bee
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Government Announcements

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Image of City of South Lake Tahoe seal. City of South Lake Tahoe   (11/19/2023)

Don't miss out on the 3rd Annual Festival of Winter Lights!

Image of County of El Dorado seal. County of El Dorado   (11/17/2023)

Board of Supervisors Appoints New Public Health Officer

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First Human Death from West Nile Virus Reported This Year

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City of South Lake Tahoe Announces Inaugural Name a Snowplow Contest

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City of South Lake Tahoe Wins 2023 URISA Exemplary Systems in Government Award

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Applications Being Accepted for Boards and Commissions

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City of South Lake Tahoe and Optimist Club Hosts Turkey Trot on November 18

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City of South Lake Tahoe Hosts Unity Walk on November 16 to Honor United Against Hate Week

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Public Comment Period for Draft ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan

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City Manager Appoints Zachary Thomas as Director of Development Services