Comfort and Joy 💚

Dear Friends,

At FISH, it feels almost like a Christmas miracle. On Saturday, 680 Sonoma Valley families received Holiday Food Baskets filled with fresh produce, cheese, and a grocery gift card—adding nourishment, comfort, and joy to the season.

What many may not realize is that the planning for this event begins during the summer. A dedicated group meets to secure a location and date, organize registration, refine logistics, recruit volunteers, and determine the contents of each Holiday Food Basket. Gift cards must be ordered and activated; boxes sourced; food items ordered.

As the holiday season progresses, the momentum builds. Schools collect “Pennies for Produce,” and attention turns to the very large task of coordinating Bell Ringing, which provides essential funding for the baskets.

Bells at Safeway continue to be rung by Rotary—a cherished tradition of more than twenty years. The Kenwood/Glen Ellen Rotary ring bells at Glen Ellen Market. The bells at Lucky’s and Sonoma Market are staffed by a remarkable collaboration of individuals and community organizations including Newcomers, St. Andrew Presbyterian, Sonoma Valley Women’s Club, Shir Shalom, First Congregational Church, BRANCH, and—new this year—youth volunteers from Scouts throughout Sonoma Valley. 

A total of 375 intrepid volunteers rang bells throughout the three weekends leading up to Christmas, in sunshine, chilly days, and even an atmospheric river!

Packing takes place at Hanna Center on the day before distribution, thanks to a committed team of volunteers including a faithful group from Sojourn Cellars, joined by a core of individuals who return year after year to lend their strength and support.

Distribution day begins early, with some volunteers arriving as early as 7:00 a.m. to set traffic cones and signage and to erect tents throughout the site. Key roles are quickly filled, including traffic directing, registration, lost-ticket station, food box loading, and—essential to morale—setting out coffee, tea, and snacks for the entire volunteer team.

By 9:00 a.m., all volunteers are in position. Cars begin arriving steadily as registrations are exchanged for $50 Safeway gift cards and large boxes of fresh food are carefully placed into vehicles. This year, teams coordinated the movement and distribution of 680 boxes, and in total, more than four tons of food—an astounding 8,400 pounds—were packed and distributed.

Once the final car departs, the work continues. Tents, tables, signs, and traffic cones are dismantled, packed, and returned to the storage shed to await next year’s distribution. Recology generously provides two large bins, making it possible to recycle all cardboard and packing materials, ensuring the day ends as responsibly as it began.

At each step, these endeavors reflect a profound outpouring of love and concern for our neighbors. And at the heart are a total of more than 450 volunteers who make it all happen. Each brings a smile, a spirit of kindness, and genuine care for our friends in Sonoma Valley. Amid the dark days of winter, a candle of love shines brightly.

A heartfelt thank you to all the Planners, Bell Ringers, Loaders, Lifters, Drivers, Packers, Greeters, Traffic Directors, and Donors who helped brighten the holidays by kindling the spirit of hope and for sharing so generously.

Wishing you happy holidays from all of us at FISH,

- Sandy    

Gracias por el apoyo que dieron en este día. Dios los vendiga. (Thank you for the support you gave today. God bless you.)

- message sent by a holiday basket recipient