Comments on: FoodLink struggling to feed county during pandemic

By: Leisa Gallaway

Leisa Gallaway — Mon, 14 Dec 2020 23:43:01 +0000

This struggle reminds me when I stood in line over 20 years ago with 14 feet of snow and we only received a box of candy canes and a bag of flour. I live in Porterville I’m 66 and my boyfriend is 69. Somehow he got cut off of his food stamps . I have no clue where when these commodities are distributed here in Porterville since we moved here in July. This virus makes it difficult for me because I’m waiting for a new hearing aid. He calls and they say they are going to send paperwork but he never gets it. Thank u, respectfully submitted

By: Mary Jane Galviso

Mary Jane Galviso — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 23:26:46 +0000

Among my most favorite quotes is one by Mahatma Gandhi. In every struggle to better the conditions of the working poor, he warns us to be prepared for these 4 stages, “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” For over 7 months, FoodLInk ignored the Rural Communities Resource Center’s requests to meet and figure out how to get its application approved. Then when RCRC went before the Tulare County Board of Supervisors twice, each time we felt we were being treated as being unimportant like we were being laughed at. Now, we are at the 3rd stage when the haters come out to attack us. The method used is making vile, unsubstantiated remarks about me. But, it makes me happy because now we know the only stage left is winning. All of us in RCRC are confident that someday soon, FoodLInk will finally agree to release USDA food commodities to the Rural Communities Resource Center for distribution for our rural residents.
Brown Lives Matter!

By: Mayda Lutap

Mayda Lutap — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 23:06:27 +0000

My name is Mayda Lutap. I am president of the Rural Communities Resource Center. For those of you who are not familiar with the history of our nonprofit’s application to become a community-partner agency with FoodLink for Tulare County, Inc., let me quickly summarize. We applied on March 13, 2020. It was not till the following month that RCRC learned that its application was rejected. Since that date, we had asked both the FoodLink staff and Board president to meet with us to discuss what could be done to become accepted. This included several requests for the USDA guidelines so we understood why our application was rejection. Each of our requests was rejected. Our nonprofit had no other choice but to go public about this and that is what we’re doing now. As Board president, I have once again asked the FoodLink Board of Directors to agree to meet with my Board after the holiday season. We are awaiting their reply. We would like to have this be a public meeting so all concerned can join in. Last week, RCRC served over 350 rural residents within 3 and a half hours. This was possible because we have a great team of volunteers. It was also possible because the Central California Food Bank (CCFB) in Fresno brought down a truckload of USDA commodities. This was the very first time RCRC received USDA food, but it was a one-time delivery. For all of you who are not sure whether FoodLink should release USDA food commodities to our rural residents, find our for yourself. Please join us any Friday of the month at 12 noon here at 41760 Road 130, Orosi. Thank you.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 09:44:47 +0000

MaryJane, has a bad history with with filipino group in the bay area USDA employee don’t like her, but have to deal with her, RCRC board our her relative, and she controls everyone, her narcissistic behavior, make bad name for hard working educated filipino in Orosi area. 50.9 percent latino,10percent filipino who live in Orosi. 2 percent filipino gets RCRC special treatment, plus people who live in Visaila area( RCRC volunteer, friends, family, church members who live in Visalia) Mary Jane said; she help the community, does she really help the community or for herself. You be the judge. Bring video camera and watch how they give out the food. You will see who gets special treatment. Every Friday, on road 130, Orosi. MaryJane does not believe in God. Open gate believe in God, and has help small community in our area for over 40 years. MaryJane, you will never get there contact, RCRC is run by MaryJane,she controls everything, she is RCRC God. Wearhouse is fire hazard, rat infested. Stop using color does matter. Food link, Open gate workers have more brown skin worker, and volunteer. You filing racist is a Joke. first Friday of month is two truck load. Big truck central food bank of fresno, small truck food link of Exeter. Make your complaint

By: Food access for all

Food access for all — Sat, 05 Dec 2020 15:08:11 +0000

I think hingry people both on irban and rural areas all deserve access to available USDA commodities. The available tood needs to be distributed equitably. Perhaps an investigation by the state would settle whether that is actualky being done. The less than truthful initial reply to that question in the beginning of the article seems to create pause for reflection .

By: Logical Thinker

Logical Thinker — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 23:30:08 +0000

I would hardly refer to the communities Open Gate Ministries serves as “urban.” There are other food pantries in Cutler/Orosi that the families there frequent like the Family Resource Center. I commend Foodlink for being mindful of not duplicating efforts, and that is in no way discrimination. RCRC needs stop trying to bully their way into a system that is over burdened. Additionally, what evidence does RCRC have to support their claims that there is a need for an additional food pantry in their community?