April 12, 2025

Dear Friends of SOS,

Jacques Torres, French pastry chef, once said, “Life is short; eat dessert first.”

This past week we had cookie donations from Sonoma Valley Girl Scout Troop #10882 that will allow us to add dessert to the meals that we serve. Thank you, girls!

Melissa and her daughter, Eliza, brought us a trunk load of Girl Scout cookies that will be a welcome treat for our clients.

On Saturday, SOS Board member Lora Grimes brought eight people from St. Andrew Presbyterian Church with her to clean up Unity Kitchen. Their congregation was participating in “Be the Church Day,” and we were fortunate enough to be one of the places they helped. One of their fun tasks was to bake cookies.

Lora Grimes baked frozen cookie dough. It was given to us by Elaine Bell Catering and was stored in our walk-in freezer.

In March, SOS served healthy, nutritious meals to 570 unique individuals, 317 more than we served in March of 2024. Of special note: 17% are seniors over the age of 65.

These are challenging times for many, including SOS. According to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat on April 6, 2025, the 90% cuts in funding to CalFood/Redwood Empire Food Bank affects our ability to buy or get free milk, eggs, and dried fruit, as well as frozen and canned protein. This will increase our cost.

We ask you to be as generous as possible with your contributions, so that we can continue to provide meals and services to those who are food deprived and unhoused in our community.

Thanks so much,

Kathy King

Executive Director