Newsletter - 6-01-09

Small Pleasures

Yesterday, the bay looked opaque and slate as it lapped against the Ferry Building Pier. Dark clouds hung low threatening a surprise June deluge. I swung my mommy Mazda Mini van into the parking lot behind the Ferry Building under the scrutiny of the security guard de jour. When I announced myself as Food Runners his stern gaze softened. The security guards know Food Runners well. Food Runners volunteers pick up donations there on a daily basis. "Right over there, ma'am" he said, pointing to the truck delivery zone. I ditched my car and headed inside to Miette Cakes. Picking up at Miette is always a challenge. Not sampling their stupendous pastries takes an act of sheer will. Of course, I could make it easier on myself by not peeking in the boxes. Nah. I gotta look. The stuff is art. Yesterday's donation consisted of three containers of gorgeous cupcakes, palmiers, brownies and more, as well as two pink boxes concealing luscious cakes in perfect condition. After depositing Miette's yummies in my car, I stopped in at DELICA rf-1, my favorite Japanese take out spot of all time. They donated two shopping bags full of their fabulous, to-go bento boxes filled with scrumptious varieties of delicate salads, pickled ginger and other traditional concoctions all beautifully arranged in their little compartments. On the way back to the car, I made my final stop at Frog Hollow Cafe for a coupla bags of their daily donation of mouthwatering organic pastries. I schlepped the precious booty to my car and set out for a first time felivery at an SRO hotel in the Tenderloin new to Food Runners. I slid into the hotel's white zone grateful for that rare Food Runners bonanza; worry free parking. The desk manager buzzed me in with a curious expression. I explained that I was a Food Runners volunteer carrying with a trunk load of donated food for the hotel. I asked for Kendra, the hotel case worker with whom I had set up the delivery. The grizzled face of an elderly gent, milling aimlessly about the lobby swiveled in my direction. A tall man wearing a threadbare, plaid shirt rose from his perch at the bottom of the stairs. Faded eyes flickered to life. The desk manager stared blankly for a moment then called Kendra who appeared from her office. She directed me to place the food on a large table near the front window. By the time I unloaded everything, returned to the car and fastened my seat belt, the lobby had filled with residents. Before driving away, I stole a look back. Smiles had crept across tired, care-worn faces that looked as if they hadn't smiled in a long time. Just then, the rain began to fall. It looked like sunshine to me. Honking horns sounded like birdsong. Bus exhaust smelled like peonies and a bike messenger's angry gesture looked like the friendly wave of an old pal. Running food can do that to a person. It's just another part of why we do what we do.

Food Runners picked up 118,890 pounds of food in the month of May. Volunteers performed 866 runs and the truck did 188. Please welcome May's 6 new volunteers most of whom have sallied forth multiple times already! Also welcome new donor Dynamo Donuts who are donating luscious confections several times a week. I'm excited to announce two new donors of fabulous, fresh produce: the newly launched Wednesday evening Castro Farmer's Market, as well as the also newly launched, Tuesday evening Noe Valley Farmer's Market II. The respective recipients couldn't be happier. Fresh produce in good condition is in short supply. Please welcome new recipients the Native American AIDS Project and the Welcome Ministry, whose Saturday Community Dinners at Old First Presbyterian Church on the corner of Sacramento and Van Ness, serve 150-200 community members in need. Both organizations have already been assigned weekly deliveries.

Will you be partying in the fog at any of San Francisco's annual street festivals this summer? Ask the food vendors what they plan to do with their leftover food. Tell them they can donate it to Food Runners. Food Runners volunteers will be on hand at closing time at all the major festivals this season with bags and a smile.

Nancy

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