In 1974, a small fund, primarily donations from members, was set up by Elk Grove United Methodist Church for food and gas vouchers to assist those in need in the Elk Grove Area. In 1988, Bob Fossgreen, a member of the church, volunteered to run this outreach program and is credited with the official formation of the Elk Grove Food Closet.
A Board of Directors was organized in the early 1990s headed by Bob Fossgreen. The Food Closet and a Clothes Closet, headed by Cathy O’Neil merged. In 1996 the Food Closet, with the generosity of then Elk Grove Community Services District (now Cosumnes CSD), secured the use of a trailer on the property behind the CSD Administration Building at 8820 Elk Grove Blvd.
A new name was implemented and we became the Elk Grove Community Food Bank Services. Two more programs were added. The Elk Grove Community Garden in 2004 and the Helping Hand program in 2005. In June 2004 we reorganized under the Federal Tax Code as a 501c3.
The 12 member Board of Directors, chaired by Mark Jansson, oversee the four programs along with Executive Director Marie Jachino. The success of the organization is attributed to its many volunteers, sponsors and donors. The Food For Families sponsored by Raley’s has a direct impact throughout the year. The KCRA Kids Can Food Drive also provides the majority of the food that is distributed along with help from US Postal Service Canned Food Drive.
Key sponsors have enhanced our ability to fight “the many faces of hunger” within our community. These include Cosumnes Community Services District, City of Elk Grove, Kaiser Permanente and more. 2008 finds us with a new name: Elk Grove Community Assistance Network (EG CAN) This reflects our multifaceted approach to fighting the “many faces of hunger and human need” in our community.
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