TLFB News from the Community

• Volunteer Spotlight | Juile Smith
  

  If you arrive at Twin Lakes Food Bank on a Tuesday morning, there’s a good chance the very first person to welcome you will be Julie Smith.

  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. But anyone who has watched Julie at work knows she’s doing much more than verifying eligibility or handing someone a slip. She’s creating connection.

  Coming to a food bank can feel intimidating. For many guests, it’s the first time they’ve ever had to ask for help. There can be hesitation, uncertainty, even fear. But Julie has a way of gently breaking through those walls. She leans in, she asks thoughtful questions, she listens and before long, guests begin to open up.

  Watching Julie interact with our guests warms our hearts. She is deeply intentional with every person who approaches her desk, making sure they feel welcome, valued, and respected. She treats every guest with dignity—never rushing them, never making them feel like a number.

  Sometimes those moments become deeply personal.

  Julie recalls times when guests have quietly broken down in tears as she checks them in—overwhelmed with relief after finally finding help, or sharing a difficult piece of their story. In those moments, Julie does what she does best: she meets them with compassion. “A hug goes a long way,” she says. “I am always so profoundly touched and grateful to be able to help.”

  Julie first discovered TLFB simply by driving past the building one day. What she couldn’t have known then was how deeply this place—and the people in it—would shape her heart.

  

  Julie’s professional life also reflects that same dedication and adaptability. Early in her career, she worked in telecommunications before stepping away from the workforce to raise her three children. Later, she returned to work in several roles, including advertising and office administration. She has been happily retired since 2019.

  These days, when she’s not serving guests at the food bank, Julie enjoys walking and hiking, reading, traveling, tending to her garden, and spending time with her husband and their three adult children. She also continues her heart for service by delivering senior lunches with her husband every Monday in Placerville.

  Through all of her experiences, Julie has gained a deeper understanding of the people around her.

  “Everyone matters to God,” she says. “Each and every one of us has something to offer.”

  That belief shapes the way she greets every guest. She knows our guests come from all walks of life—people navigating challenges most of us may never fully see. And because of that, she makes it her mission to ensure they feel comfortable enough to return. 

  When asked what she wishes more people knew about Twin Lakes Food Bank, Julie doesn’t hesitate. “It’s a warm and inviting place that is free of judgment,” she says. “It’s a happy place to be—whether you are visiting us for services or looking for a place to volunteer.”

  After 15 years of service, Julie has become more than a volunteer. She’s become a welcoming presence, a trusted listener, and a steady source of compassion for the thousands of guests who walk through our doors each year.

  And for many of them, she’s the very first reminder that they are not alone.

• Volunteer Spotlight | Chuck Myers
  

  If you’ve ever walked through Produce on a Thursday, you’ve likely felt it—the laughter, the light conversation, the sense that you’re not just receiving food, you’re being seen.

  That’s Chuck Myers.

  For the past two years, Chuck has faithfully served in the produce tent every Thursday after first hearing about Twin Lakes Food Bank from his friend and fellow volunteer, Bill Reed. What started as an invitation from a friend, quickly became something much deeper—a passion to connect and meet guests right where they are, in their most vulnerable circumstance. And that matters more than most people realize.

  Coming to a food bank is not easy. It takes humility; it can feel vulnerable but Chuck finds a way to break down walls and makes people laugh. He listens to the guests, remembers details and creates space for guests to share their stories. Chuck doesn’t just hand out produce—he offers dignity, respect, and friendship.

  Chuck says he appreciates how many guests express gratitude. But the truth is, we are grateful for him.

  

  One conversation in particular left a mark on Chuck’s heart. He met a refugee who had supported U.S. troops overseas. Because of that support, the man had to flee his home, bringing twelve family members with him. Twelve mouths to feed. Twelve lives depending on him. The man who once helped our country is now simply trying to survive and provide for his family.

  That story stayed with Chuck.

  His time at TLFB has “sensitized him to the real-world struggles of others,” he says. What used to be statistics are now names, faces, families, grandparents, parents, and children.

  Before retiring from a career in higher education sales and sales management, Chuck spent years building relationships. And even in retirement—between golf games, fishing trips, travels, volunteering at his local church, and especially time with his three granddaughters—he is still building them.

  Every Thursday, rain or shine.

  When asked what he wishes people knew about Twin Lakes Food Bank, his answer is simple: “How much good is accomplished there on a daily basis.”

  We see that good in the pounds of produce distributed. We see it in the numbers served. But we also see it in moments—like a guest walking away smiling because someone took time to truly see them.

  Chuck loves all his guest interactions. And that’s the thing about him—he means it.

  Because for Chuck, this isn’t just about food. It’s about making sure others are loved and cared for.

• Volunteer Spotlight | Tim Hughes
  

  If you stop by the food bank on a Monday morning, you’ll likely spot Tim Hughes before you even step inside. He’s the one unloading crates of fresh donations, smiling as he weighs, sorts, and organizes the generous contributions from our five grocery partners. For the past two years, Tim has quietly become one of the heartbeat volunteers in Monday Operations—dependable, thoughtful, and always willing to jump in wherever he’s needed.

  Tim first discovered Twin Lakes Food Bank through his former employer, Micron, where volunteering together was part of the culture. When he retired, he brought that spirit with him. “I really like the energy of the site and team,” he shared—and if you’ve met Tim, you know he adds to that energy in the best way.

  Before joining us, Tim volunteered at Loaves & Fishes and the Orangevale Food Bank. Each place offered something different, but here at TLFB, he’s found a unique sense of purpose. Along with his operations work, Tim has also stepped into supporting our capital campaign, helping connect with local companies—another way he’s helping build a stronger future for our neighbors.

   

  Even though his volunteer role doesn’t often put him face-to-face with guests, Tim feels a deep connection to our mission. Touring guests through the garden—especially in the peak of summer—has become one of his favorite experiences. “Seeing people’s eyes light up when they walk through the garden…it’s such a gift TLFB has,” he says. Those small moments remind him why this work matters—and how every role, even behind the scenes, touches lives.

  His time with us has also widened his view of hunger. Seeing the impact in our own neighborhood has made him more aware of food insecurity across the globe. “Clearly TLFB is making a difference,” Tim reflects. “It makes me much more aware of the food needs globally.”

  Outside the food bank, Tim’s world is full and joyful—cycling, skiing, golfing, spending time with his grandbabies, and staying connected at St. Joseph Marello Church. But no matter how he spends his time, his heart for service shows up everywhere he goes.

  When asked what he wished more people knew about TLFB, his answer was simple:
  “Don’t be intimidated if you’re in need of food. The people are great, you will enjoy the experience—and of course, the food.”

  Tim is the kind of volunteer who quietly lifts an entire organization—faithful, generous, steady. His story is a reminder that every hour given, every pound of food sorted, every relationship built adds up to something powerful.

  And because of volunteers like Tim, hope keeps showing up—every single week.

• Volunteer Spotlight | Robyne Cortes
  

  If you’ve ever stepped into the bagging area on a Thursday, you’ve probably felt the warm, joyful energy that Robyne brings to Twin Lakes Food Bank. For 15 incredible years, Robyne and her husband, Joe, have been serving side by side—proof that when two people follow a calling together, amazing things can happen.

  Robyne first discovered TLFB at the Folsom Expo, where a simple booth sparked a journey that would become a cornerstone of her life. Encouraged by Rosanne, she and Joe came to “check it out”… and they never left. Today, they’re a powerhouse volunteer duo faithfully showing up every Thursday to make sure guests receive food with dignity and kindness.

  For Robyne, the heart of volunteering is found in those meaningful interactions—especially when a first-time guest arrives feeling embarrassed or unsure. She loves watching the team wrap them in warmth, help them feel seen, and remind them that coming for help is nothing to be ashamed of. It’s inspiring, humbling, and at times challenging—especially when food runs low. But Robyne’s compassion never runs out.

  Her time at TLFB has reshaped how she sees the world. “Hunger has no zip code, no social economic class, no race or culture. Hunger can be hidden so well that we need to look closely, sometimes right in our own neighborhood,” she says. That awareness fuels her passion to serve without judgment and without hesitation.

   Outside the food bank, Robyne joyfully calls herself a professional weekender, filling her life with traveling, hiking, wine tasting, floral design, and anything that involves sand between her toes. She also volunteers with The Petal Connection in Roseville, sharing beauty and kindness wherever she goes.

  And if you really want to see her light up? Ask her about her kids and grandchildren. Robyne visits them as often as she possibly can—and just talking about them brings a whole new glow to her smile.

  When asked what she wishes everyone knew about TLFB, Robyne keeps it simple and powerful:
  “That we are here to serve—no questions asked.”

  Robyne, thank you for your heart, your energy, and your 15 years of unwavering commitment. TLFB is brighter because of you! 

• Turkey & Trimmings
  

  This year, Thanksgiving feels different.

  Every November, as I set my own table—laden with dishes I’ve made for years—I rarely stop to consider where it all comes from. The grocery runs, the traditions, the bustle of cooking, the football games, the parades… it can all feel ordinary. Familiar. Expected.

  But over the past month, as our team prepared for our annual Turkey & Trimmings giveaway, that perspective shifted. I’ve been reminded, again and again, that for many in our community, this holiday brings something entirely different.

  For a veteran, it can be a day marked by loneliness.
  For a parent, a reminder of what they desperately wish they could provide.
  For families facing food insecurity, it can stir the anxiety of not knowing where the next meal will come from.

  And yet—this year—something extraordinary happened.

  Our community showed up in a way that left us overwhelmed with gratitude. Churches, businesses, service clubs, and local organizations rallied together, pouring in support, donations, and love. Because of their generosity, we were able to provide over 425 full Thanksgiving meals to families in need—up nearly 20% from previous years. Last year we served 335. This year, the need grew—and the community met that need with open hearts and outstretched hands.

  More Than Thanksgiving Meals

  When guests arrived, they were greeted not just with boxes of fresh produce, turkeys, desserts, sides, and all the trimmings—they were greeted with joy. For three days volunteers donned turkey hats, festive aprons, and big smiles. They welcomed each family warmly, walked with them, loaded cars, offered hugs, and shared in the moment. It was a 360-degree act of service: joyful, compassionate, and deeply human.

  And the response… the response is what will stay with us.

  There were hugs that lingered.
  Tears of relief that fell quietly.
  Kids bouncing with excitement as they saw the food being loaded.
  Parents whispering, “Thank you… you don’t know what this means.”

  One mother cried when she learned she would also receive a Safeway gift card—something that allowed her to pick up a special item she otherwise could not afford. We’ve all had moments when the weight of the world feels too heavy to carry, and then someone steps in with unexpected kindness. For her, that small act was everything.

  Another guest—one who had registered to receive a meal—reached out during the CalFresh benefit cuts earlier this fall. He told us, “I think there’s a family who needs my meal more. Could you give it to them instead?” Even in his own uncertainty, he chose generosity.

  This is what real community looks like.

  A Community That Cares

  To everyone who made this year’s Turkey & Trimmings giveaway possible: thank you. You brought hope to tables across Folsom. You reminded families that they are not alone. And you reminded all of us that giving is not just about what we offer—it’s about how deeply we choose to care.

  With full hearts and deep gratitude, we want to recognize and thank the organizations who donated time, money, volunteers, and food to make this giveaway possible:

  Lakeside Church
  Bayside Church of Folsom
  Safeway
  Harbor Church
  Folsom Lake Rotary
  Folsom Kiwanis
  Folsom High ACCT

  Micron
  Inductive Automation
  Rehya Dance
  Folsom Lions Club
  Community Bible Church
  Journey Church
  Trinity Episcopal Church

  Columbia Bank
  Rotary Club of Folsom
  Rotary Club of Historic Folsom
  Folsom Lake Rotary
  Diamond Glenn
  Folsom Prison
  Tricks Gymnastics

  Thank you for helping us feed hope this Thanksgiving. You made a difference—and you reminded us all what the holiday is truly about.

  Article By: Rachel Hill 

  View The Gallery

  Photos from the our week of Turkey & Trimmings