Purchase a Give Back Bag in January and FoodMaxx will donate $1.00 to the Antioch non-profit
Antioch, CA – Grace Closet has been selected as a beneficiary of the FoodMaxx Give Back Bag Program for the month of January 2024.
The FoodMaxx Give Back Bag Program, which launched February 2022, is a reusable bag program that facilitates community support with the goal to make a difference in the communities where shoppers live and work. The Program supports local Food Banks and hunger relief organizations.
Grace Closet was selected as the January beneficiary of the program by store leadership at the FoodMaxx located at 4500 Lone Tree Way in Antioch. Grace Closet will receive a $1 donation every time a $2.50 Give Back Bag is purchased at this location during January 2024, unless otherwise directed by the customer through the Giving Tag attached to the bag.
“It’s a great privilege to have been chosen for the Give Back Bag Program. Grace Closet appreciates the recognition concerning the service we have been providing here in East Contra Costa County” said Kibibi Columbus, Director of Grace Closet. “Every dollar received will help us continue our efforts to give freely to those who are in need of a helping hand in times of hardship and give hope, show love, kindness and grace”.
Grace Closet of Grace Arms of Antioch is a nonprofit located at 3415 Oakley Road in Antioch. Founded in 2005, Grace Closet has served as a place where men, women and children can receive food, clothing, encouragement and much more at no cost. Learn more by visiting www.gracearmsofantioch.org.
For more information on the FoodMaxx Give Back Bag Program, visit tsmc.2givelocal.com.
Please use the link, it is going to improve our services and help our parents and Scouts doing the tree pick up. Even if you already emailed us, please fill out the link. We are picking trees up on the weekends of Dec 30/31 and January 6/7. Please have your tree on the curb by 9 A.M. Our parents and Scouts will be picking up trees all day and might not pick up your tree until later in the day. If you have issues, please email us, we will follow up shortly.
We are all volunteers and have limited resources. No direct messages, no text messages, we have multiple parents monitoring the troop email account.
Please only email once, we may not respond to your email until later in the day. To pay, please use Zelle and look for: Boys Scouts of America Troop 153. Use FULL name (no abbreviations). Zelle makes it easier. You can use our troop tree pick up Google email for Zelle: troop153treepickup@gmail.com
If you’re unable to use Zelle, checks are appreciated made out to: BSA Troop 153. Checks can be left under your doormat on the day of pick up. For taxes you can claim it as a donation to the Boy Scouts of America. BSA Troop 153, Antioch CA Nonprofit id: 94-1156249
Soul Boxes on display at the Multnomah Arts Center in Portland, OR. Photo credit: The Soul Box Project
Nationwide, community art project, to raise awareness of gunfire, remember victims
Public invited to participate Jan. 14
By Lisa Dell’Anno
The Contra Costa Library system is showcasing the Soul Box Project, a nationwide, community art project, to raise awareness about the scale of gunfire in the U.S. The project displays thousands of Soul Boxes in public spaces to illustrate the number of victims of gun violence, defense, accidents and suicides.
Every day, Americans must confront the impact of gun violence in their communities. The statistics are mind-numbing: gunfire in 2022 alone killed over 44,000 people in the U.S. In an average year, 3,253 people die and 7,293 are wounded by guns in California. (state’s statistics: EveryStat.org)
Soul Boxes can bring solace to individuals and encourage sharing and healing within our community. A box-making gathering is scheduled to honor Martin Luther King, and to make boxes to honor lives lost to gunfire in Antioch and elsewhere. Anybody can make a Soul Box and have it included in the display.
The Antioch Library showcase installation will include over 1,000 origami Soul Boxes, hand-folded and personalized. Each 3-inch-by-3-inch Soul Box holds space for a gunfire victim with a name, an image or a message of protest or hope. Admission is free and open to the public.
WHEN: Showcase exhibit can be seen during Library open hours during the month of January.
MLK box-making gathering will be Sunday, January 14, 2:00 – 4:00 in the Library Community Room.
Visitors can fold a Soul Box and add it to the exhibit.
Artist Leslie Lee, from Portland, Oregon, created the Soul Box Project after the mass shooting in Las Vegas in October 2017. It became a nationwide community art project designed to reveal the growing number of gunfire victims. The Project displays thousands of Soul Boxes in public spaces, illustrating the staggering number of victims of gunfire violence, defense, accidents and suicides. By raising awareness of the number of victims, the Project aims to empower people to choose actions regarding responsible gun use that reflect their values, priorities and beliefs. These actions may span a wide range – gun safety, education, legislation, mental health. Together those actions will help cause a shift in our nation’s culture.
Artist and Soul Box Project founder, Leslie Lee, surveys Washington, D.C., installation of This Loss We Carry, October 2021. Photo Credit: Lancer Photography. All rights reserved.
The Project displayed 200,000 Soul Boxes on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., in 2021. The exhibit, titled This Loss We Carry, vividly illustrated the staggering number of U.S. victims of gunfire violence, defense, accidents, and suicides in less than 3 years.
Includes Mission Elementary School’s 50th Anniversary mural project
Saturday, January 15, 2024, 10:00am-1:00pm
“Life’s most persistent and urgent questions is, ‘What are you doing for others?” – Martin Luther King Jr., Montgomery, Alabama 1957.
Join us this Martin Luther King Jr. Day as we spend “a day on, not a day off,” encouraging all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.
Let’s work together to build a stronger Antioch!
Join us at the Antioch Senior Center/Nick Rodriguez Community Center
Bring your senior relatives (e.g., grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents, etc.) or neighbors to the Antioch Senior Center and Nick Rodriguez Community Center, at 415 W 2nd Street in Antioch, to take part in a day of engagement with community members of all ages. Experience exciti19ng and engaging activities, be part of thoughtful discussions and enjoy lunch served by school-age volunteers.
#10892: Volunteer and lead an installation/ mural-based project at Mission Elementary School
Sign up and join us to help create a mural at Mission Elementary School at 1711 Mission Drivein Antioch in celebration of their 50th Anniversary.
#10899: Senior to Senior (ages 14-18) (max 30) We are looking for high school volunteers to have a moderated discussion with Senior citizens about the impact of MLK, equality and equity on our society. Students can also perform spoken word poems and read other MLK related speeches.
#10900: Arts & Crafts (max 20) Volunteer and lead a Martin Luther King Jr. arts and craft themed project for the community.
#10902: Karaoke (max 20) If you like to sing and dance, sign up to volunteer to lead karaoke with the community. Music will consist of themes based on MLK, Jr., freedom, community and celebration of life.
#10903: Activities (max 30) Volunteer to join us for a room full of fun board games, puzzles, and other games. Lead a round of a game or simply take part in playing.
#10904: Lunch Services (max 15) Volunteer and lead the service of preparing and providing lunch to the community and other volunteers
Kristine Barbanica knocks on the door as the other three “Santa’s Helpers,” Gary and Kristen Vistalli and Councilman Mike Barbanica arrive with wrapped, donated gifts and speak with one of the recipients, Isabella on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. Photos by Allen D. Payton
The annual effort benefited 125 families with 400 children this year
By Allen D. Payton
On Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, owners of Antioch’s “Disney House”, Kristen and Gary Vistalli were joined by Councilman Mike Barbanica and his wife, Kristine, to deliver some of the gifts donated during the Help for the Holidays Event co-hosted by the Antioch Police Department on Dec. 9th.
The donations were received at the Vistallis’ home, which is decorated each year with over 35,000 lights and Disney characters. Their son Tyler and daughter Amanda helped with receiving the donated items, which also included blankets, gloves, socks, hats and scarves, as well as cash and Venmo donations. Kristen refers to the annual event as the “spirit and support drive, and gift giveaway”. (See related article)
Councilman Barbanica speaks with Isabella after he, his wife Christine, and Kristen and Gary Vistalli arrive with gifts on Dec. 21, 2023.
The gifts were delivered by the four Santa’s Helpers to two girls, 8-year-old Isabella and 15-year-old Veronica, at their aunt’s home where they now live because their mother recently passed away and the girls had nowhere else to go.
“They are having a rough time, and their aunt said the gifts would help,” Barbanica shared. “We just wanted to come by and drop off these gifts to you,” he said after the gifts were placed under the family’s Christmas tree. “Hopefully this helps out for Christmas.”
“Thank you for everything,” their aunt Iris responded.
About being off school for the holiday break Isabella said, “It’s said. I like school. Because I like my friends and I like PE.”
Gary and Kristen Vistalli place some of the gifts under the family’s Christmas tree on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023.
Regarding the toy drive, Disney house owner Kristen said, “This is the fourth year we did this with the Antioch Police Department. We switched to the drive-by during COVID which has worked out. It’s grown, every year.”
“To help over 125 families with 400 children, it’s just amazing and extremely rewarding,” she added.
This is the Vistallis’ first time delivering gifts to a family, meeting and speaking with them.
“We are extremely grateful to the community for their support and making this happen,” Kristen stated.
A few police officers were expected to participate in the gift delivery, but several were involved in a stolen vehicle pursuit at the time.
Photo by APD
You can still drive by and see the decorated Disney House in all it’s lighted glory this week at 3732 Colonial Court in Antioch.
Learn more about Kwanzaa, the annual, seven-day African American and pan-African celebration of family, community, history, heritage and culture which begins on December 26, here.
“It is a privilege to stand by Opportunity Junction and other grassroots community organizations,” said Dana Bockstahler, BAC Community Bank CEO. “We are honored to assist in providing the vital financial support that fuels their unwavering dedication to making a positive impact on local lives.”
With a mission to “help motivated Contra Costa County job seekers develop the skills and confidence to launch careers that lead to financial security,” Opportunity Junction provides no-cost job training and wraparound support to income-eligible individuals with barriers to employment.
Opportunity Junction President and CEO Brianna Robinson said her organization’s Administrative Careers Training program has offered mental health services to participants since 2003, but this BAC Community Bank-sponsored grant will now make those services available to all individuals enrolled in the Healthcare Career Pathway and Career Counseling and Placement Assistance programs.
“We are deeply grateful for this support,” Robinson continued. “We recognized in 2003 that addressing trauma was critical to helping job seekers overcome barriers to employment. As we have grown over the years and added more programs, we are excited to offer these services to all our job seekers with the goal of supporting high graduation and employment retention rates.”
The AHEAD program enables FHLBank San Francisco members like BAC Community Bank to give a critical boost to local programs and projects that target pressing community needs and bring greater opportunity to underserved populations. AHEAD grants are awarded annually and delivered through FHLBank San Francisco member financial institutions to local community organizations for projects and programs that benefit lower-income and underserved communities.
Since the program’s inception in 2004, FHLBank San Francisco has awarded more than $25 million in AHEAD grants to over 800 economic development projects in Arizona, California and Nevada. In 2023, the FHLBank San Francisco board of directors allocated $4 million to the AHEAD program, more than doubling the funding in prior years, and awarded grants to 75 projects. BAC Community Bank applied for the grant in partnership with Opportunity Junction and was awarded the $70,000 after a competitive selection process. This is the fourth year that BAC Community Bank has participated in the program.
“Each year, we are inspired by the wide range of impactful programs that are brought to us by our member institutions through the AHEAD grant program,” said Eric Cicourel, FHLBank San Francisco senior vice president and community investment officer. “We were particularly encouraged by the large number of unique members who participated in this cycle, including BAC Community Bank. These financial institutions are pillars in their communities and have an intimate understanding of the needs of the communities they serve. We are proud to partner with our members to extend a lifeline to so many compelling and deserving organizations.”
For those interested in applying for the AHEAD Program in 2024, please contact BAC Community Bank or visit the FHLBank San Francisco website at www.fhlbsf.com to learn more.
About BAC Community Bank
BAC Community Bank is California’s 10th oldest state-chartered bank. Established in 1965, BAC operates branch offices throughout San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and eastern Contra Costa counties. Centrally headquartered in Stockton, California, BAC is continuously recognized for its strength and banking excellence in the communities it serves. BAC Community Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Equal Opportunity Employer. Member FDIC. More information is available online at www.bankbac.com.
About Opportunity Junction
Opportunity Junction was founded in 2000 on the fundamental belief that everyone who works hard deserves the opportunity to succeed despite facing personal and systemic barriers. The organization provides training, support, work experience and placement assistance to empower Contra Costa job seekers to achieve financial security. More information is available online at www.opportunityjunction.org.
About the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco
The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco is a member-driven cooperative helping local lenders in Arizona, California, and Nevada build strong communities, create opportunity, and change lives for the better. The tools and resources we provide to our member financial institutions — commercial banks, credit unions, industrial loan companies, savings institutions, insurance companies, and community development financial institutions — promote homeownership and expand access to quality housing and boost economic development. Together with our members and other partners, we are making the communities we serve more vibrant, equitable, and resilient. More information is available online at www.fhlbsf.com.
