The dream of Father Daniel Madigan to move the poor of Sacramento to self-sufficiency is right on track as Sacramento Food Bank Services recently broke ground for a new north Sacramento community learning center.

The groundbreaking ceremony Aug. 20 at the project site on Rio Linda Boulevard was an opportunity for the community to view plans for Sacramento Food Bank Services’ $1.5 million Saca Community Learning Center.

The 9,945-square foot building, which will include classrooms for job training, a mother-baby program and child care, can’t come at a better time.

“What we’ve seen is a dismantling of the safety net for social services in the city and county of Sacramento,” said Peter Berghuis, executive director of Sacramento Food Bank Services. “It’s happening right before our very eyes.”

Begun 38 years ago by Father Madigan, Sacramento Food Bank Services currently runs 10 Sacramento-area food assistance and community social service programs, including a similar learning center and mother-baby program in the Oak Park area of Sacramento.

Berghuis said adding a second learning center offering computer and job training classes in the north area will enable “people on the fringe” — who may just need to learn the English language to become employed — the hand up they need.

If SFBS’ current mother-baby program in Oak Park, which is visited by about 300 moms, dads and children a week, is any indicator, there is also a great need to expand the program to the new location in north Sacramento.

Funding for the Saca Community Learning Center has been a joint endeavor shared by the Sacramento Diocese, the family of Tony and Ilham Saca, and Sacramento Food Bank Services.

Bishop William K. Weigand, who blessed the project site during the groundbreaking ceremony, recalled sitting down with Father Madigan nearly 10 years ago and listening to his hope to expand social service programs in the community.

“Years went by and in due course the diocese committed $2 million to Sacramento Food Bank Services through the capital campaign, $1 million for this project,” the bishop said. “Now here we are. It’s a real blessing indeed.”

Tony and Ilham Saca, who host the annual Saca Ball to support Food Bank programs, have raised more than $1.5 million to benefit the organization over the past 10 years, of which approximately $1 million was earmarked for the learning center.

Tony Saca spoke at the ceremony of his hope for the new learning center that will bear his family’s name.

“It will help the community, help feed the people, help teach people,” he said. “The Food Bank and Father Madigan are working very hard to improve this community’s well-being.”

Construction is expected to be completed on the Saca Community Learning Center by September 2004.

A Sacramento Food Bank Services food distribution center in Del Paso Heights, which is also receiving $1 million from the diocese’s capital campaign, is expected to break ground in three to four years.

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