Two months ago, the cupboards were getting bare at the community food locker operated by the Catholic Ladies Relief Society in Chico, which serves hundreds of needy people every year.

The main facility on Longfellow Avenue, and the food locker’s storage unit on Panama Avenue were completely empty. Funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency—which is used for food, motel stays and bus tickets—was expected to last until September, but it ran out in May.

Thanks to an article that appeared in the Chico Enterprise-Record in mid-October, donations have started to flow into the agency, and Chico’s three Catholic parishes and one Catholic school have been quick to respond.

Frances Balaam, director of the community food locker operated by the Catholic Ladies Relief Society in Chico, prepares to fill bags of food for needy families. Dana Mildebrath/Herald photo

“Our Divine Savior (Parish) put a box in the vestibule, and it is filled with food after every Mass,” said Frances Balaam, director of the food locker. “Notre Dame School had a food drive that provided us with a huge supply of groceries. St. John the Baptist and the Newman Center gave us nice donations.”

“We actively support the food locker because it is our duty to take care of the poor,” said Salvatorian Father Michael Newman, pastor of the St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center. “The Catholic Ladies Relief Society is a jewel in our area, and we support their wonderful work.”

Churches weren’t the only places from which support flowed following the newspaper article. “We’ve had a great response from people bringing us shopping bags full of food,” said Balaam, who has served as director of the food locker since 1984.

Demand for services at the food locker has increased significantly this year. “We are seeing a tremendous number of new families who have never requested assistance before,” she said. Those numbers grew from 45 new families in July to 61 in September and 96 in October. During the first six months of the year, the food locker served more than 5,000 people. In all of 1999, the food locker served 8,463 people.

“Unemployment, high rent and high utility bills don’t leave much for buying food. We are seeing far more families than homeless individuals–some families that receive food stamps, and others that don’t,” Balaam said. The food locker traditionally serves a higher number of people during the winter months, when more farm laborers and construction workers are unemployed, she added.

Of the 11 chapters of the Catholic Ladies Relief Society in the Diocese of Sacramento, only the Chico chapter is a United Way member agency. The food locker receives funding from United Way of Butte and Glenn Counties, FEMA, the city of Chico and Catholic Charities of Sacramento.

Two major food drives are also crucial to the operation of the locker. Donations from the Boy Scouts’ canned food drive in November usually last until May. In May, a postal employees’ food drive usually brings in enough food to last until the following November.

Schools, churches and other organizations around the city also hold food drives throughout the year. Donors range from Jay Partridge Elementary School and Chico Junior High to the Neighborhood Church and Chico’s Interfaith Council. “That’s why we’re called a ‘community’ food locker,” said Balaam, who keeps the doors open with the help of nearly 30 volunteers.

The food locker has customarily helped people with rent, utility bills, gasoline and prescriptions. Six weeks ago, there were no funds left for those needs. Today, thanks to recent donations, a small amount of funding is available. In addition, the food locker was able to provide people with an extra bag of food for Thanksgiving, containing holiday favorites like yams, olives, stuffing and cranberry sauce.

“It is difficult when we have to say ‘no’ to someone who needs lodging,” Balaam said. “Fortunately, we don’t have to say ‘no’ about food.”

The community food locker is located at 1386 Longfellow Ave. in Chico. It is open from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. Phone: (530) 895-8331. Monetary donations may be sent to: Catholic Ladies Relief Society #3, P.O. Box 4746, Chico, CA 95927.

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