Thanks to those who helped out at the JCCCNC Oshogatsu Festival on Saturday, January 12.  Check out the photos that were taken at the event under the “Media” section of this site.  We’d love for you to join us in volunteering again next year.

Akemashite Omedetou!

On Saturday, November 3rd, we volunteered at the San Francisco Food Bank.  In the first shift, Graig, Hisae, Atsushi, and Erika sorted corn which we divided according to freshness into separate boxes.  Later when Hisae and Erika completed their task of sorting corn following break time, they joined Graig and Atsushi in filling medium-sized cardboard boxes, assembled by volunteers, with squash until the end of the first shift.

The second shift began at 12:30, and Graig, Keith, and Erika were off to box carrots.  Keith taped boxes and Graig and Erika along with other volunteers filled them with carrots.  It was uplifting to volunteer alongside so many who devote their time and effort to such an important cause which allows families and individuals to live comfortably and survive.  After their break, volunteers were directed to form an assembly line in a group of six at each table to bag rice.  Erika and Keith scooped rice from their sacks into a large bin and also scooped rice into plastic bags.  Graig was responsible for ensuring that the bag of rice weighed exactly one pound.  The last steps in the assembly line entailed one volunteer to seal the bags and another to label them with a sticker.

Towards the end, the supervisor gave a very heartfelt speech that expressed their utmost appreciation and gratitude to all the volunteers.  Afterwards, Erika, Keith, and Graig went on the tour to gain more in-depth knowledge about the organization.  All of our volunteers had an enjoyable and rewarding experience volunteering for the SF Food Bank.  For more information on the organization and to learn about all the ways in which you can help, check out their website, http://www.sffoodbank.org/.

Join us in demonstrating our utmost appreciation and support for the San Francisco Food Bank in the month of Thanksgiving through volunteering.  We’ll be sorting and packaging the food we distribute to food pantries, children’s snack programs and soup kitchens throughout the city.  We could be gleaning fresh produce, repackaging bulk food into family-sized quantities, assembling grocery boxes for seniors, and/or sorting donations from food drives and grocery stores.  In a single shift, you’ll be helping thousands of people get the food they need!  This will happen on Saturday, November 3rd at the SF Food Bank located at 900 Pennsylvania Avenue.  If you want to get involved in their mission to end hunger in the Bay Area, follow the link to sign-up and to let us know which shift you’re doing since there are 2 options (one starting at 9-noon and the other from 12:30 until 3:30 p.m.):  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AkYPzulOWuMidHRjSmpudGk2VkphZEhCZ0taQXpLblE#gid=0

Please note the following:
-closed-toe shoes are required (no sandals, flip-flops, or open-toed shoes allowed)
-wear casual and clean clothing, long pants, securely fastened jewellery, and comfortable shoes
-dressing in layers is suggested
-volunteers are asked to sign in upon arrival
-enter the building through their receiving entrance on the south side of the building near the loading dock

If you have any questions or need more information, contact Erika Shimizu at eks003. Thanks!

On June 2nd, Nakayoshi members headed their very own food booth at the Northern California Soy and Tofu Festival. We were the only food booth with ALL proceeds going back to the Nichi Bei Foundation, which puts on the Tofu Fest to help fund their non-profit newspaper publication.

Nakayoshi members have become gooood chefs.
Look at all this great tofu food they made!

(Image credit to Michael Jeong)

Members helped to raise about $950 in just one day!!
A HUGE thank you to Sam, Atsushi, Eiko, Dan, Katie, Al, Erika, Mino, Haruka, Lauren, Ramon, Jon, Howard, Justin, Ms.Tanaka and everyone who helped
The Tofufest Committee and Nichi Bei Foundation really appreciated all the hard work that went into the booth!

(image credit to Sam)

Thanks for coming out, and look forward to the Soy and Tofu Festival next year!

Extra: See Core member Graig Inaba explain and advertise the Nakayoshi Food Booth for Nichi Bei cameras!

Nakayoshi Cafe @ Tofu fest