Filling Plates & Hearts: DLE Donates to ECHO and the Food Bank

Filling Plates and Hearts: DLE Donates to ECHO and Santa Barbara County Food Bank

Delta Liquid Energy donates processed pig meat from California Mid-State Fair Livestock Auction to Local Organizations to support community

At Delta Liquid Energy, our commitment to community service extends well beyond our daily propane delivery operations. This year, we continued our tradition of giving back by donating two pigs that we purchased at the California Mid-State Fair Junior Livestock Auction, processed locally by Creston Valley Meats and Cal Poly Meats, then delivered to the El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO) in Atascadero and the Food Bank of Santa Barbara County in Santa Maria. These organizations play vital roles in tackling hunger and homelessness in their respective communities.

 

El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO)

After processing by Creston Valley Meats, several boxes of pork were delivered to ECHO in Atascadero. We were greeted by Kylie, the Volunteer Manager, who shared some inspiring updates about their services. This year, ECHO has successfully housed 154 people in Atascadero and Paso Robles. Their meal program is a cornerstone of their operations, serving dinner to the community and providing breakfast and lunch exclusively for residents. Each meal serves between 80 to 100 people, with meal providers often coming in to assess the available ingredients before preparing dishes like chili, which they made a big batch of with our donation last year.

A particularly impactful initiative is their new workforce and kitchen development program. Residents are invited into the kitchen on open meal days to assist with cooking, providing them with valuable culinary and workforce skills. This program not only helps in meal preparation but also empowers participants by enhancing their employability.

For families, ECHO ensures that parents have the necessary provisions to prepare school lunches for their children, further supporting their daily needs and contributing to a sense of normalcy and stability.

 

Food Bank of Santa Barbara County

Our second donation, processed at Cal Poly Meats—a facility renowned for blending academics with industry since 1952—was taken to the Food Bank of Santa Barbara County. Cal Poly Meats is staffed by students and dedicated to providing the freshest meat products, enhancing the educational experience with practical industry engagement.

The donation was warmly received by the staff at the Food Bank of Santa Barbara County in Santa Maria. Their mission, “transforming hunger into health,” resonates through their comprehensive programs which include distributing fresh produce and nutritious groceries alongside offering nutrition education to a diverse demographic, from preschoolers to older adults and veterans.

The Food Bank is deeply committed to combating hunger for the working families, children, and seniors in Santa Barbara County. Their approach goes beyond meal provision; they focus on community food security by educating residents on sustainable practices like growing their own food. Additionally, they encourage local community members to contribute by donating produce from their personal gardens, further fostering a culture of sharing and self-sufficiency.

With such initiatives, the Food Bank not only feeds the hungry but also empowers individuals, ensuring they have access to the resources needed to lead healthy lives. This partnership reflects our shared values of nourishment and community support, making our donation of pork especially meaningful.

 

Delta Liquid Energy is proud to support such impactful organizations as ECHO and the Food Bank. Our contributions help these groups continue their vital work, ensuring that our community members receive the care and support they need. It is our hope that these donations will not only fill plates but also inspire further generosity within the community.

 

Learn more about how Delta Liquid Energy supports local communities through Community Partnerships.