Community Food Bank Serving Folsom, ElDorado Hills & Granite Bay
Community Food Bank Serving Folsom, ElDorado Hills & Granite Bay
I have the privilege of working alongside an incredibly dedicated and passionate team. Each person inspires me and teaches me something meaningful every single day. One of my favorite rhythms each week is our Tuesday staff meeting—a space where we share stories of meaningful interactions with guests and volunteers, collaborate to solve challenges, and dream together about how we can deepen our impact for our hungry neighbors.
A couple of months ago, the Easter Ham Giveaway became the focus of one of those conversations. Together, we explored important questions: How can we make this more meaningful? More efficient? What opportunities and limitations do we face with our limited space? What additional volunteers will we need to bring this vision to life? These are exactly the kinds of questions I’ve come to value from our guest engagement, operations, and volunteer staff.
Then, there are the questions that I’m compelled to bring to the conversation: Are we being intentional about being relational, curious, and caring? Are we creating space to demonstrate the love of Jesus with neighbors who are often unseen or unknown?
N.T. Wright captures this beautifully in Surprised by Hope: “God’s new world of justice and joy…was launched when Jesus came out of the tomb on Easter morning…and he calls his followers to be new creation people here and now, bringing signs and symbols of the kingdom to birth on earth as in heaven.”
No, Easter hams themselves aren’t symbols of the kingdom of God. But I can say with confidence that placing them into the hands of over 400 families the past two weeks became an expression of justice, beauty, and love. A small but meaningful signpost pointing toward a future hope breaking into our present work.
I pray that you and your family are able to make space this Easter to celebrate the hope of the resurrection. Lastly, thank you. Thank you for supporting the mission of the food bank by being an agent of love and justice to our hungry neighbors in need. I am truly grateful.
How a weekly pantry at Folsom Lake College is feeding hope and breaking stigma.
Why your support matters during this crucial fundraiser.
For 15 years, Julie has faithfully served at our registration desk—checking in guests, answering questions, and helping them take the first step toward receiving groceries.
Paul Nathan Phillips is the Principal Attorney at Phillips Elder Law, a trusts and estates, probate, senior rights and litigation practice. Paul has successfully assisted victims of elder financial abuse and physical neglect, both inside and outside of court.
With nearly four decades admitted to the California Bar and qualified before state and federal courts, Paul has practiced as an associate and partner at several Los Angeles and Sacramento law firms. Paul served as General Legal Counsel for International Business Systems, an IBM-owned company with its US Office located in Folsom, where he managed the legal team and oversaw national compliance, contracts, and human resources around the country.
Paul earned two bachelor’s degrees from UCLA in 1981, in Political Science and Psychology. In 1987 he received his Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. He is a member recipient of the Saint Thomas More Honor award.
Paul has volunteered as an attorney and advisor for nonprofits serving low-income workers, the homeless, tenants rights, and elder adults. Paul has led senior outreach and healthy aging efforts through several local churches. A NASM-certified senior fitness trainer, Paul continues to lead free senior fitness classes. He shares and seeks to inspire others with his optimism and sense of humor, and deep love of hiking, paddling, camping, open-water swimming and all things nature.
An avid reader and gardener, Paul is the proud father of two accomplished daughters, and four personality overflowing grandchildren.
(in observance of Independence Day)
(Twin Lakes Food Bank Event)
