As the ashes of our homes, hills and vineyards slowly fade from dark black through the gray spectrum, and hoped-for rains bring up a thin velvet-like fuzz of green, we must not forget our friends and neighbors who have lost everything and still need our help. Help in many ways, with supplies, food, comfort and hugs, to say nothing of financial assistance.
In that last vein, Kathleen Weber's Della Fattoria bakery and restaurant in Petaluma held an all-day taco fundraiser, specifically to benefit undocumented worker members of the community.
Many of us have been surprised to see metal buildings such as the barn at Flatbed Farm and turkey sheds at both Gordenker Ranch off Highway 12 in Glen Ellen and the former Nicholas Turkey Farms on Napa Road melted, bent irretrievably, and leaning against each other in new twisted configurations.
No Pay Café new location
The Facebook/Bon Appétit Management Co.'s thousands of meals will now be distributed from Vintage House and will then be redistributed by Sonoma Plaza Kiwanis volunteers.
Lilla Weinberger will be collecting information on meals needed by the following schools and nonprofits: Dunbar, Kenwood and Flowery elementary schools, Vintage House, Meals on Wheels, Brown Baggers, SOS (Sonoma Overnight Support), Teen Services Sonoma, 4Cs Child Care Council Sonoma and the Boys and Girls Club. Food will be delivered once a week on Wednesdays.
Weinberger says, “We encourage other nonprofits who can use food for young people, families, seniors and others affected by the fires, to get in touch.” Reach her at 480-4611.
Adds Weinberger: “Kathy Witkowicki of Sonoma Plaza Kiwanis and Lilla Weinberger of the No Pay Cafe are honored to continue the initial work of Sheana Davis, who organized food providers and laid the groundwork for this continuing effort to make sure that Sonomans receive the food they need to move forward with their lives.”
Mary's Pizza Shack donates
As the North Bay wildfires left a path of destruction in Sonoma, Napa and Solano counties, Mary's Pizza Shack announced its fundraiser to benefit the fire victims and relief efforts.
On Tuesdays Nov. 7, 14 and 21, 15 percent of sales at all Mary's Pizza Shack locations will be donated to the North Bay Fire Relief Fund at Redwood Credit Union.
Vince Albano, Mary's grandson and CEO of Mary's Pizza Shack, said, “Our guests are an extension of our family. I watched from a young age as my nonny Mary always did what she could to give back. She established this philosophy from the beginning. We will continue to be there for our guests and the community during these unprecedented times.”
Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 15, Mary's will donate $5 of every $50 gift card purchased to the North Bay Fire Relief Fund, an offer that will run until Dec 31.
To assist in the local food pantry needs, Mary's will also have canned-food barrels in each of its 11 Sonoma County stores supplied by Redwood Empire Food Bank throughout the rest of the year.
Williams-Sonoma offers fire discount
Williams-Sonoma's Sonoma store is offering a 20 percent discount on everything in the store for those who have lost their homes, and will set up a registry, similar to a bridal registry where other people can purchase things you have listed that you need.
To sign up for the registry, contact the store's assistant manager Kathryn Cereghini at 939-8974. 605 Broadway, Sonoma.
Black Bear Diner pledges relief
Black Bear Diner has pledged $10,000 in fire relief and 100 percent of sales of every pie, cake or cobbler or cookie sold in their Sonoma and Napa diners.
St. Leo's fruit and veggies
Every Tuesday morning year-round St. Leo's staff and volunteers provide a bag of fresh fruit and vegetables to local families in need. The produce comes from the Redwood Empire Food Bank. They usually receive about 4,000 pounds per week and pack and distribute that to 160 families in about two hours. After the fires, their line was through the St. Leo's parking lot out to Agua Caliente Road, and they received 7,000 pounds of fresh produce. Great need will remain in our Valley long after our immediate relief efforts end.
St. Leo's team is distributing pantry boxes daily, in addition to the weekly produce distribution. Families can receive a box containing butter, milk, eggs, tuna, chicken, soup, fruit, vegetables, pasta, rice, beans, peanut butter, jelly and cereal. St. Francis also has a daily pantry and will help a bit with rent and utilities. FISH, as you know, also has a pantry. On Fridays there is another produce distribution at the Baptist Church on Craig Avenue.
Valo-Espina ballet moved to Vintage House
Andi Valo-Espina's annual fundraiser luncheon and dance to benefit SFDanceworks has been moved from under the Valo-Espina magnolia tree to Vintage House's Stone Hall, due to predicted rain on Sunday, Nov. 5, in an effort to keep the 85 people who have bought tickets coming to Sonoma to revitalize our economy.
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