Community Food Bank Serving Folsom, ElDorado Hills & Granite Bay
Community Food Bank Serving Folsom, ElDorado Hills & Granite Bay
In the late 1980s, I studied rhetoric and communication at the University of California, Davis, taking courses in empirical research methods, theories of persuasion, and political and intercultural communication. I came away with one truth that I’ve carried with me ever since: our words matter, so choose them thoughtfully and with as much care as you can.
That truth guided me as Communications Director for the California Forestry Association, when tensions ran high between environmentalists and logging communities during the Northern Spotted Owl conflict. It served me when I taught Bible study to a couple hundred women from progressive and conservative churches, all gathered in one room. And it guides me today at Twin Lakes Food Bank, where our guests, volunteers, staff, and donors hold the full range of political and religious beliefs.
So when the news is full of harsh, careless, unkind words, coming from every direction, it rattles something inside me.
How do I respond to angry words without adding my own? How do I step out of the cycle of getting even and choose peace instead?
Theologian Richard Rohr once said that “actions of love are the ultimate example of nonviolence because true nonviolence is not just the absence of conflict, but the active presence of divine love breaking the cycle of retaliation.”
When I turn from the day’s headlines to what is happening at the food bank because of people like you — something in me, settles and I am encouraged. When you read Lucy’s story and the story of generosity our neighbors showed on Community Service Day, you are reading your part in the greater story of divine love with acts of kindness and goodwill to our neighbors in need. I hope you are encouraged as well.
Join us in celebrating serving the greater Folsom area for over 40 years. Your attendance at this year’s Gala helps support our work throughout the coming year.
One day of service brought in just over half of the food Twin Lakes Food Bank needs from community food drives in an entire year.
Lucy came looking for food for her family and left with a helping hand, a little more breathing room and an unexpected answer to prayer.
“Everyone has a story to tell, and we all have struggles at different times of our life, we can all learn something from each other…”
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.
