Food Bank: Sustain state funding for vital programs

Right now, Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County is serving 70,000 food insecure people/households each month — an increase of 30% compared to 2023. The need in our community continues to grow, driven by inflation, rising costs of goods and services, and economic uncertainty.

Yet at this critical time, California’s food banks are facing a double threat: a 90% cut to state funding for the CalFood program, and unprecedented federal cuts to SNAP (CalFresh). These programs are lifelines for low-income families, seniors, children and individuals with chronic health issues or disabilities, those who are most at risk of going hungry.

We are urging Gov. Newsom and our legislators to act now by sustaining funding for the CalFood program at $60 million, a level that was set during the pandemic — because the number of people facing food insecurity in California is higher today than ever before.

This funding is essential to keeping our local food bank stocked and operational, by allowing us to purchase California-grown produce and rarely donated items. At Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County, we use CalFood funds to partner with local farms such Glaum Egg Ranch, Rancho Las Palms, Luna’s Farm and Oya Organics to buy healthy fresh produce, eggs and tortillas. We also worked with suppliers across the state to acquire shelf-stable pantry staples. These purchases support both the state and local agricultural and food economy.

Without this program, we wouldn’t be able to provide the same quality or variety of culturally relevant foods that give our community the dignity and quality of life that every person deserves.

— Erica Padilla-Chavez, CEO, Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County

Murray Street Bridge needs temporary light

Why is there not a temporary traffic light at Murray Street Bridge during the long-term construction project? One lane is open for most of the project, so it would be easy to automate with a temporary light allowing timed travel in both directions.

What used to be a three- to five-minute scenic drive from Twin Lakes to the Boardwalk is now 18-20 minutes (sometimes more) stop and go slog along congested Soquel Drive.

It seems like the simplest thing to put up, it would cost very little and would positively affect hundreds if not thousands of people’s daily lives in the city during this long-term project.

It’s baffling to me that city planners think the current scheme is acceptable. They clearly don’t have to make that westbound drive regularly.

— Joe Wilcox, Santa Cruz

Pride: Celebrating 50 years with May 30 event

Those of us LGBTQIA+ (queer) residents of Santa Cruz County are celebrating 50 years since the first Gay Pride activities happened here in the summer of 1975! In fact, I was one of a small group from Cabrillo College who organized that series of events.

Among other planned events this year is an evening with a catered dinner, dancing to music from five decades with a live DJ, and other various performance activities. At the MAH in downtown Santa Cruz on Friday evening, May 30. Tickets are at santacruzpride.org. Please join us for a very special event.

— Larry Friedman, Santa Cruz

Grateful for local health care system after accident

In early March, I was in a skiing accident that required surgery. My first procedure was at the Capitola Surgery Center and the second procedure was done at Dominican Hospital.

My orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Christian Heywood, is not only a superb surgeon and professional, but he was very kind. There were two different teams of nurses and I specifically want to thank them. They were thoughtful, caring and kind throughout my time with them. Nurses have a particularly hard job and they are not acknowledged or thanked enough.

Also a big shout out to the physical therapists who are making sure my surgery was not in vain: Matt Ryan and Matthew Rohan. I greatly appreciate the help of everyone and have a renewed appreciation for our health care system.

— Ariadne “Ari” Symons, Santa Cruz

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