At the Foodlink Headquarters in Sacramento, the philosophy is simple…no one in this state should ever go hungry. That's why every year the company distributes millions of donated fresh and packaged food to food banks across the state. Frank Garcia with Foodlink explains, "Through the Donate-Don't-Dump program, we have a lot of farmers and ranchers that donate fresh produce, cauliflower, apples, oranges, things like this." In addition, food industries donate a variety of canned and packaged foods to help feed low- income people, the homeless and any others in need of help. But, we discovered that the program not only helps feed the hungry, it gives others a new lease on life.

Foodlink has a job training program and because of that Ron Kent and Kathryn Larson are both looking forward to a brighter future. Kathryn explains, "I needed a full-time job to get off welfare and the forklift training sounded good to me. I can go back to work full-time and be a forklift driver and make enough money to live on without the help of welfare." For years, Ron Kent found himself in a vicious cycle. He would work temporary jobs and go on and off welfare. Now, Foodlink is helping to stop the cycle by providing Ron with hands-on job training. Ron says the program has also helped to boost his self-esteem. He explains, "That's the biggest thing it has helped. I'm happy to be here and know that I'm going to get a good job."

The truck driving program at Foodlink is an 18 week course. The first six weeks are spent in the classroom learning the rules of the road to become safe drivers. During the next six weeks, students practice the many maneuvers they'll need to know on the road. The last six weeks involves an internship program in which the students drive along with professional Foodlink drivers to deliver goods to the food banks. Student Jack Shrader says, "It's a wonderful program because we're able to reach out to those people and it's a good feeling."

For more information about Foodlink, call 1-800-283-9000 or write to:
Foodlink
P.O. Box 292700
Sacramento, CA 95829