SAFE Credit Union employees volunteer at the Rancho Cordova Food Locker. Photo courtesy of SAFE Credit Union

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - At a time when many are especially in need of food assistance during record high inflation, SAFE Credit Union volunteers recently showed up in force to donate their time at the Rancho Cordova Food Locker.

Twenty SAFE volunteers from the credit union’s Sacramento and Placer County branches helped the food distribution center serve long lines of more than 340 individuals within about three hours on Sept. 22.

Their efforts were part of SAFE’s annual Building CommYOUnity service month and SAFE’s continued support of the Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce.

SAFE held a “60 for 60” volunteer campaign, pledging 60 hours of service to the Rancho Cordova community in September for the Chamber’s 60th anniversary. SAFE volunteers more than doubled that commitment – volunteering a total of 125 hours at the Food Locker as well as at Soil Born Farms and for residents at Volunteers of America's Mather Community Campus.

Rancho Cordova Food Locker Executive Director Carrie Johnson welcomed the volunteer efforts. The food distribution center, providing groceries to seniors and those facing food insecurity, has seen an increase in service from 460 families per week to 1,000 in the past year.

“This is the level of kindness that many in need don’t often receive, and it makes a huge impact,” Johnson says of the SAFE employees who volunteered. “It really can be difficult for some to come here, and when we have volunteers who can give a warm smile and help them out with their groceries, it makes a big difference.”

This year, as part of Building CommYOUnity Month, credit union employees volunteered on more than 40 separate volunteer projects at more than 20 Sacramento area nonprofits. Building CommYOUnity Month encourages SAFE employees to provide a positive impact on communities by volunteering during September.

“We were so happy to be a part of not only helping people at the food locker, but also in making such a substantial commitment to the Rancho Cordova community, where SAFE has served residents and businesses at our Folsom Boulevard branch for many years,” says SAFE Credit Union Relationship Manager Karen Shahhosseini.

Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Diann Rogers says the chamber has enjoyed a longstanding partnership with the credit union since it became a Chamber member in 2011 and says SAFE's involvement and its employees’ service adds “a positive, long-lasting impact on our Chamber, our members, and the entire business community.”

“What stands out is SAFE’s consistency and the depth of their involvement,” Rogers says. “They’re not just involved but invested in the Chamber and the community’s development.”

Volunteer and Relationship Officer at SAFE’s Folsom Branch Ryan Soria says it felt good “to really help people who maybe are not in the best spot right now.”

“The individuals coming in here have been really nice and thanking us for being here, even for if for a day,” says Soria, of Elk Grove.

SAFE Rancho Cordova Branch Manager Amaris Padilla, of Elk Grove, says she was excited to be helping “give back to the community,” she works in each day. “The Food Locker is close to our branch location, and I wanted to volunteer in the area where we work.”

SAFE’s Hazel Branch Manager Ronila Prasad was impressed with the Food Locker’s efforts. “I like how they treat their guests like we treat our members. We and they treat everybody with dignity and respect,” says Prasad who lives in Rocklin.

Volunteerism is a part of the award-winning culture at SAFE – the Sacramento Business Journal this month named SAFE as the Best Place to Work, Very Large Employer.

SAFE offers each employee 16 hours of paid time off every year to volunteer individually or with their co-workers as a team.

For more information about the Rancho Cordova Food Locker contact Executive Director Carrie Johnson at [email protected] or (916) 837-5431, or visit their website ranchocordovafoodlocker.org. 

Personal Relationship Officer at SAFE’s Land Park Branch, Akeal Ellis of Rancho Cordova, helps move carts for Rancho Cordova Food Locker guests. Photo courtesy of SAFE Credit Union

SAFE CU Relationship Officer Karen Shahhosseini greets a guest at the Rancho Cordova Food Locker. Photo courtesy of SAFE Credit Union

 Granite Bay SAFE Branch Manager Chong Musallam of Orangevale sorts food for Rancho Cordova Food Locker guests. Photo courtesy of SAFE Credit Union

 SAFE Credit Union Rancho Cordova Branch Manager Amaris Padilla of Elk Grove packs groceries for Rancho Cordova Food Locker guests. Photo courtesy of SAFE Credit Union