Emergency Food - includes links and information on food safety practices and how to maintain a successful food closet.

Senior Citizens Services

At its inception back in 1975, Senior Citizens Services operated as the south chapter of Senior Gleaners. When founder Jack Oliver died, Senior Gleaners took over food bank operations, and Senior Citizens Services became primarily a food closet. Now SCS gets much of its food from Senior Gleaners. Like Gleaners, it is an all volunteer ‘seniors feeding seniors’ non-profit.

Current Director Barbara Wallberg began volunteering at Senior Citizens Services years ago. “I was single, had nothing to do, and I enjoy helping seniors and the disabled,” she says. She has been working full time as assistant director until recently becoming the new director. SCS operates five days a week, Monday – Friday, 8am until noon. Volunteer drivers and packer must show up much earlier than that however, in order to pick up food and get two large ‘banana’ boxes ready for each client that could show up.

SCS asks clients to become members and requests a $14/month donation to help cover operating costs. Because of this, California Emergency Foodlink refuses to donate food to SCS; Foodlink will not donate to organizations that it feels are ‘charging’ for food services. Current membership stands at close to 500. About 45 volunteers (most of them members) operate SCS. Unfortunately, SCS may have to cap membership (at 500 members) or place individuals on a waiting list due to insufficient volunteer packers and drivers, as well as a limited supply of food. Director Barbara Wallberg says that insufficient food and insufficient volunteers are equal barriers to increasing service capacity. “SCS has lost many food suppliers to Senior Gleaners [food bank].”

SCS is unique in that clients may come every week, rather than only once each month. Such a substantial quantity and diversity of food is given that this service could function as the primary food source for members. Individuals who are homeless, handicapped/disabled, and anyone over 45 years may become a member at SCS. Extra food is given to disabled individuals and those with children. Barbara mentioned that, though they ask clients to become members, anyone who shows up hungry will be served before being refered elsewhere. She forsees SCS continuing for at least another 50 years. “Our goal”, she says, “is to serve 2000 members.”

Pictured is Senior Citizens Services Director Barbara Wallberg and Assistant Director/Truck Driver/Warehouse Foreman Ernie Moak.

Sacramento Hunger Commission staff will periodically be touring food closets in Sacramento. If there is a food closet you think should be profiled, please call us at 916-447-7063 ext.348.

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