Dear Friends,

Food has been central to my expression of love and care since I was a child. My mom, the champion of this concept, told us one thing consistently: food is the fundamental building block of community. When hardship strikes the people in your community, you show up with food, and you listen. You won't always be able to solve their problems, but then again, nothing is solved on an empty stomach. Those who know me well know that I'll show up with a homemade frozen lasagna when you break a bone, have a baby, or experience grief. To share my table with my community is both an honor and a privilege. Every year for my birthday, we celebrate 'Haleysgiving' due to the holiday's proximity to my birthday. This year, there has never been a more pertinent time to give to those who need it most.

I firmly believe that in our modern society, there is absolutely no reason anyone should experience persistent food insecurity. Unfortunately, the reality for many people in our community paints a grim picture. One in four people in Alameda County rely on food assistance programs, such as SNAP and CalFresh – programs that are facing increased threats in our current political climate. As a graduate of Cal Poly's Agribusiness program, I spent years studying our country's food system and emerged from the program a huge proponent of SNAP and WIC, programs designed to support our agricultural economy and feed the most vulnerable populations in our country. With the rising costs of living, I remain firm: no one deserves to starve.

We can't solve every problem in our community today. Together, though, we can help make sure the most vulnerable seniors, families, and community members still have something to eat at the end of the day. With your help, we can provide the necessary fresh ingredients for those heavily impacted by the current climate of food insecurity. I hope you'll join me in supporting this initiative.