TLFB News from the Community

• Volunteer Spotlight | Krista May
  

  Volunteer Spotlight: Krista May

  Bringing Smiles and Community Connections to Twin Lakes Food Bank

  When Krista May moved to Folsom three years ago, she was looking for more than just a new address—she was looking for connection. “I wanted to meet people and feel like a part of my new community,” Krista recalls. A quick search for volunteer opportunities led her straight to Twin Lakes Food Bank (TLFB), and the rest, as they say, is history.

  Every week, you’ll find Krista at the Registration desk, greeting both new guests and familiar faces with warmth and humor. “I call them friends,” she says. It’s a role that allows her to connect, share moments, and leave people feeling seen and valued—even on their hardest days. “I am consistently humbled by the number of guests who are experiencing their worst days, yet making me smile. They are grateful, they joke around, they share recipes, and leave us volunteers better than they found us.”

  

  *Krista with guest and volunteer

  Krista’s journey into volunteering mirrors her professional path. As a full-time headshot photographer and studio owner in Folsom, she knows what it means to help others feel comfortable, confident, and even joyful in a vulnerable moment. “Clients often walk into my studio feeling nervous, but nearly every time, they leave saying, ‘That was more fun than I expected!’ I like to think we leave that same impact on the guests at the food bank,” she reflects.

  Volunteering at TLFB has also reshaped Krista’s view of the world. She has learned the power of meeting people exactly where they are, embracing their unique stories without expectation. “It’s a grounding and humbling experience to know I’m in a position to affect someone’s day for the better, no matter their starting point,” she says.

  Outside of the food bank, Krista is a creative spirit and adventurer at heart. She loves baking and cake decorating, painting with watercolors, paddleboarding, stargazing through her telescope—and yes, finally living out a longtime dream by zipping around town in her Mini Cooper Roadster, top down, music blasting, and a grin on her face.

  Above all, Krista wants everyone to know that TLFB is here for the community. “You don’t have to be on the brink of disaster to ask for help. We will support you in the times you need us, and be here waiting in the times you don’t.”

  Krista May’s story is a shining example of how one person’s desire to connect and serve can ripple out, creating joy, comfort, and community for countless others.

  To learn more about how you can serve the food bank like Krista, visit our website here: https://twinlakesfoodbank.org/volunteer/

• Community Service Day 2025
  

  Filling Hearts & Shelves

  FOLSOM COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY 2025 

  This past weekend, we were reminded once again of the extraordinary heart of our Folsom community. On Community Service Day, hundreds of volunteers came together with one shared mission: to make sure our hungry neighbors know they are not forgotten. 

  From the very beginning of the day, we could feel the energy and excitement. At a brand-new garden site donated by Oak Hills Church, we stood side by side with Garden Coordinator Michelle Kwek and a team of volunteers, breaking new ground and preparing soil for planting. It wasn’t just about turning over dirt—it was about planting hope, about making sure that fresh, healthy food will be available to nourish families in the months ahead. 

  Meanwhile, across town, another group of volunteers sprang into action. Led by Mark Behouth from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, teams fanned out across Folsom to collect food donations. One by one, families left bags of groceries on their doorsteps, and one by one, those bags were picked up and delivered to Mt. Olive Lutheran Church. There, volunteers led by Dr. Anthony Retodo of Kaiser Permanente and our very own Operations Manager, Elizabeth Martin, worked tirelessly to receive, sort, and prepare the donations for families who will need them. 

  When we gathered at the warehouse later that day, our hearts swelled. What had been an empty space just days before was suddenly filled with row after row of canned goods, boxes, and nonperishables—all reminders of a community that cares deeply. As our Inventory Coordinator, Mark Hockaday, said, “It was an incredible sight to watch our empty warehouse fill back up. Every single item represented hope for a family in need.” 

  In total, the food collected will provide the equivalent of 38,000 meals over the next five months. That number is more than just statistics to us—it’s children going to bed with full stomachs, parents finding relief in knowing they can put dinner on the table, and seniors no longer having to choose between paying bills and buying groceries. 

  We are deeply grateful. Grateful for every volunteer who showed up, every donor who filled a bag of food, every leader who gave their time and energy, and every partner who helped make this day possible. Together, we are building a stronger, kinder community—one where no neighbor is left behind. 

  But as we celebrate, we also know our work is not finished. The need in our community continues to grow, and hunger doesn’t end after one day of service. That’s why we’re still accepting food donations and inviting anyone who feels moved to help to join us. Whether it’s hosting a food drive through your school, business, or neighborhood, or simply dropping off a few extra groceries, every action makes a difference. 

  This is our community. These are our neighbors. And together, with open hands and open hearts, we can make sure no table goes empty. 

  If you’d like to be part of this ongoing effort, you can learn more at https://twinlakesfoodbank.org/donate-food/  or by emailing us at info@twinlakesfoodbank.org . 

  • Staff & Partners
  • Food Drive
  • Garden Project

  
• Empty Shelves

  Join Us for Folsom’s Community Service Day 

  Together, We Can Fill the Shelves and Fuel Hope

  Right now, our pantry shelves at Twin Lakes Food Bank are bare. While our grocery store partners bless us with meat, dairy, and produce, the bins that normally hold pasta, rice, canned goods, and other non-perishable staples are nearly empty. This past year alone, we served 7,000 more families than in any other year in our history — and with expected cuts to food assistance programs by year’s end, we know the need will only grow.

  That’s why Folsom’s Community Service Day is more important than ever. In past years, this incredible day of service brought in as much as 77,000 pounds of food — enough to help keep our shelves stocked for 8-9 months. But in recent years, that number has dropped to 50,000–60,000 pounds, and we simply can’t keep up with demand. 

  Every pound matters, and every person can make a difference. This year, we anticipate needing a minimum of 70,000 pounds of food to get through the next year.

  

  We’re asking you to rally your friends, family, neighbors, coworkers — your entire network — to join us on Folsom’s Community Service Day. Grab the grocery bag delivered to your doorstep the week before, fill it with non-perishable food, and help feed our neighbors in need. Please place your bags in front of your home by 8 a.m. on Saturday, September 20th, so Folsom’s Community Service Day volunteers can collect them. Together, we will ensure that none of our neighbors go to bed hungry.

  And while Folsom’s Community Service Day directly helps us feed families right now, our record-breaking need is also a powerful reminder of why our Capital Campaign matters. A larger, more efficient facility will give us the space to store more food, serve more families, and be ready for times of unprecedented demand. Mark your calendars! Learn where to donate food or volunteer on September 20th here: Folsom Community Service Day  Our community is stronger when we serve together. Will you join us? If you can’t volunteer or donate food in person, you can still be part of building that future. Learn more about how you can make a lasting impact by visiting: https://twinlakesfoodbank.org/capital-campaign/.
• FOLSOM FOOD BANK COLLECTS OVER 1200 LBS OF CITRUS TO FEED COMMUNITY

   

  Each year, as citrus trees across the region reach their peak, many homeowners find themselves with an abundance of fruit they can’t use. Rather than letting these backyard harvests go to waste, dozens of Folsom and El Dorado Hills residents have stepped up to donate their excess produce to Twin Lakes Food Bank, helping to provide fresh, nutritious food for those in need.

  Since Jan. 1, community members have contributed more than 1,200 pounds of oranges, lemons, and grapefruits to the food bank.” Continue reading Folsom Times Article.

   
• FOLSOM’S TWIN LAKES FOOD BANK RAISES $237K AMID INCREASING NEED

  A group of 250 guests at Twin Lakes Food Bank’s annual gala, hosted last Friday at Lakeside Church, raised more than $237,000 to help feed the hungry throughout the holiday season and into the new year.

  “Inflation has hit our guests hard and the need for nutritious food has increased,” executive director Lisa Tuter said to Folsom Times, noting that more than 3,000 people are served every month, with individual days when the food bank serves 75 or more families. “The growing population, including local families occupying a larger number of state-mandated workforce housing units, increases the need, which makes the support we receive from the community even more heartwarming.” Continue reading Folsom Times Article.