Felton, CA — Longtime food pantry volunteer Shelley Young will receive the Green Heart Award at the 38th annual Mountain Affair benefiting Mountain Community Resources. The fundraiser event will be held Friday, October 20 from 5pm to 9pm at Ristorante Casa Nostra in Ben Lomond.
Named for Mary Hammer, one of Mountain Community Resources founders, the Green Heart Award honors individuals supporting the Community Bridges program, originally known as the Valley Resource Center and the San Lorenzo Valley community it serves.
In recommending her for the award, Mountain Community Resources’ volunteer coordinator Paul Machlis said Shelley is the friendly and welcoming face of the pantry, checking in clients at food distributions offered every Thursday at the center in Felton. Shelley has also taken on some of the record-keeping duties, which supports funding for the pantry. She works closely with staff on data collection and reporting processes, often volunteering additional hours after the weekly food distributions have concluded.
“She is able to greet our more than 100 clients by name, and she has become familiar with their circumstances and challenges. This helps the team refer clients to additional services offered at the center,” Paul said. “She has come up with some really valuable efficiencies, and she has seldom missed a week over the past seven years. She is an inspiring and enthusiastic member of our team.”
“Basic needs are being addressed here daily,” Shelley said of Mountain Community Resources in Felton. “We have showers and laundry facilities now. Food security, clothing, safety, comfort, being heard, are paramount for all of us; but, it feels so good to work with people who lead by example with gratitude and kindness.”
“The resources at the center seem to be endless. Whatever the issue, the staff are there to help people navigate their lives when they have lost everything (such as in the CZU fire) or if they just have a question. The staff here are present, listening and providing assistance as needed,” she said.
The inaugural Green Heart Award was presented to Mary Hammer at the 2010 Mountain Affair, when the program merged with Community Bridges, uniting four family resource centers countywide into what is now known as the Family Resource Collective.
The public is invited to celebrate Mountain Community Resources’ accomplishments at the Mountain Affair, offering a multi-course gourmet dinner, local wines, live music, and a silent auction showcasing San Lorenzo Valley crafts and businesses. The Mountain Affair will also feature a live auction pledge drive to support the center’s ongoing disaster recovery and crisis support services.
All proceeds from the event support the services of Mountain Community Resources. Last year, the family resource center in Felton provided 1,384 residents with drop-in resources, case management, counseling, food distribution, and more.
Over the past year, nearly 9,000 bags of food were distributed to 600 residents, while 800 residents received 2,000 hours of crisis support and disaster recovery navigation. The program distributed more than $400,000 in relief aid to residents affected by winter storms.
Tickets and event details are available online at communitybridges.org/events. Tickets are $120 per person or $720 for a VIP table of six.
ABOUT MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Mountain Community Resources (MCR), a program of Community Bridges, is a local family resource center serving the San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley communities since 1982. We offer a network of programs and services designed to help people thrive. We work directly with individuals and families to build a strong community.
ABOUT COMMUNITY BRIDGES
Community Bridges envisions a thriving community where every person has the opportunity to unleash their full potential. Together, our family of programs delivers essential services, provides equitable access to resources, and advocates for health and dignity across every stage of life. To learn more, please visit www.communitybridges.org.
