Community Involvement

Talking Turkey: CDCR, CCHCS help those in need

Boat-shaped basket full of food items.
LAC staff created Thanksgiving baskets to donate to a Children's Center along with a turkey.

CDCR and CCHCS staff have been gathering food to help those in need, including a turkey dinner. Meanwhile, Parlin Fork Conservation Camp also pitched in with the incarcerated population cooking and serving Thanksgiving dinner at the Willits Senior Center.

LAC staff create baskets for children, families

At CSP-Los Angeles County, employees from various areas put together Thanksgiving baskets to donate to the community.

A basket contest was judged Nov. 18 by Robert Haze, DDS, of Valley Wide Dental, and a representative from the Children’s Center of Antelope Valley.

The Warden and Chief Deputy Warden sponsored the event with the winning department earning a pizza party. There were a total of 15 entries with an entry donation fee of $25 used to purchase a turkey for each basket.

Valley Wide Dental also donated five turkeys and Sam’s Club donated a year membership. The baskets were then donated to the Children’s Center, an organization offering care and services to children and families.

According to organizers, the event was a success.

Submitted by Lt. Daniel Schumacher

SAC, Folsom hold turkey drive to benefit food bank

With the holiday season beginning, California State Prison, Sacramento, (SAC) and Folsom State Prison worked with Twin Lakes Food Bank to hold a turkey drive.

The drive started off as a friendly competition between the institutions and grew to be something many families could enjoy. The institutions collected 105 turkeys and numerous side dishes.

“We are proud of the women and men who make our prisons great and are proud of our commitment to our local community and the people we serve. Special thanks to the Twin Lakes Food Bank for allowing our staff to play a small role in serving our community,” said prison turkey drive organizers.

The mission of the Twin Lakes Food Bank is to provide food and support to those in need..

On a monthly basis, the food bank serves 1,800 to 2,000 people in Folsom, El Dorado Hills, and Granite Bay, providing over 85,000 pounds of food.

Submitted by Lt. Erik Altvatter

Parlin Fork Conservation Camp, CALFIRE take part in Turkey Toss

On Nov. 16, CALFIRE and Parlin Fork Conservation Camp took part in the annual Turkey Toss, benefiting the Willits Community Services and Food Bank

Incarcerated camp participants helped load 36 turkeys destined for a free Thanksgiving community dinner at the Willits Senior Center. They will also help cook the turkeys, potatoes and side dishes, as well as serve the Thanksgiving meals.

“Parlin Fork is excited about getting back into the swing of things,” Correctional Officer J. Cerini told the Willits Weekly newspaper. “The (incarcerated population are) excited to participate in the toss, and are looking forward to Thursday, too.”

Information courtesy of Willits Weekly.

Folsom incarcerated group donates to food bank

For six weeks, the Folsom State Prison incarcerated group Men of Character held a food drive benefiting the Loaves and Fishes Food Bank. All donations were made by the incarcerated population from food products they are eligible to buy through the prison canteen. The group was very excited about the donation amount as it exceeded their expectations.

In all, just over 700 incarcerated people donated 1,952 items totaling $3,177.

“The generosity was overwhelming as was the recognition that even though they are in prison, there are others less fortunate,” according to a statement issued by Men of Character. “Custody staff assisted with movement and storage and Community Resource Manager and Men of Character sponsor Carl Siegler delivered items to Loaves and Fishes. It was an opportunity for men to live out their amends, demonstrate a pro-social mindset, and contribute to the community, both behind the walls and beyond.”

Submitted by Lt. C. Deal


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