Community Champions 2024

Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County, a program of Community Bridges, extends heartfelt gratitude to all who participated and supported this year’s Community Champions!

We are immensely grateful to the following local leaders and elected officials for their unwavering commitment to our community’s older adults:

  • Yvette Brooks, Vice Mayor, Capitola
  • Casey Clark, Watsonville City Council 
  • Jack Dilles, City Councilman, Scotts Valley
  • Zach Friend, Santa Cruz County Supervisor, District 2
  • Ramon Gomez, from the office of Felipe Hernandez, Santa Cruz County Supervisor, District 4
  • Manu Koenig, Santa Cruz County Supervisor, District 1

Their presence during meal deliveries and at senior dining sites throughout Santa Cruz County has not only raised awareness but also provided invaluable human connection to those we serve.

This nationwide campaign, spearheaded by Meals on Wheels America, has underscored the critical importance of addressing isolation, food insecurity, and poverty among older adults. The statistics speak volumes, revealing the stark reality faced by many of our seniors. Yet, through initiatives like Community Champions Week, we unite as a community to provide essential support and nurture the well-being of our aging population.

Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County remains dedicated to our mission of delivering nutritious meals and vital support services directly to the homes of seniors in need. With your continued support, we can ensure that no senior in Santa Cruz County is left behind or forgotten.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the success of Community Champions Week. Your generosity and compassion have made a meaningful difference in the lives of our community’s older adults. Together, we reaffirm our commitment to upholding the health, dignity, and independence of seniors in Santa Cruz County.

Our CEO Raymon Cancino was honored to join California State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas today for a roundtable discussion on immigration alongside fellow leaders from across the district.Speaker Rivas has long stood with Community Bridges and immigrant communities in their fight for dignity, opportunity, and the American Dream. At a time when immigrant families and workers face increasing threats from federal action, this roundtable brought together organizations focused on worker protections, legal services, food access, mental health care, and more—to share ideas, concerns, and solutions.Thank you, Speaker Rivas, for continuing to lead with compassion and conviction. #ImmigrantJustice #CaliforniaForAll #ProtectImmigrants ... See MoreSee Less
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🎉 Congratulations to Maria Lopez, our April Employee of the Month! 🎉Maria serves as our Program Assistant III at the Fairgrounds Early Education Center and is truly the heart of support in her role. Always willing to lend a hand, Maria brings warmth and positivity to everyone around her. Her dedication and uplifting spirit make a meaningful impact in our community every day.Thank you, Maria, for your kindness, commitment, and for being such an essential part of the Community Bridges family! 😊 ... See MoreSee Less
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🌍 Happy Earth Day, everyone! 🌍Today’s a reminder that our planet needs us just as much as we need it. While not everyone can overhaul their lifestyle overnight, here are some realistic, meaningful actions we can all try to make part of our routines:♻️ Recycle smarterCheck what your local recycling center actually accepts—wishful recycling (putting non-recyclables in the bin) can do more harm than good. Small effort, big impact.💡 Reduce energy use in simple waysTurn off lights and electronics when not in use. Use LED bulbs. Even adjusting your thermostat by 1–2 degrees can lower your energy footprint over time.🚗 Drive less—but realisticallyCarpool when you can, batch your errands to cut down on trips, or work from home when possible. If biking or walking works for short trips, give it a try!🛍️ Cut down on single-use plasticsKeep a reusable water bottle or tote bag in your car or backpack. It’s easy to forget, but once it’s habit, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.🧼 Choose eco-friendlier productsLook for refills, plastic-free packaging, or brands that prioritize sustainability. Even swapping one or two products makes a difference over time.🌱 Progress over perfection. Small steps, repeated often, are what add up to real change. Let’s each do what we can to care for the only home we’ve got.Happy Earth Day! 💚🌎 ... See MoreSee Less
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✨🐣 Celebrating community and togetherness this season. 🌸🌷 Embracing new beginnings, cherishing time with loved ones, and spreading kindness. Wishing you a joyful, hope-filled Easter—may your day be as bright as spring flowers and as cheerful as a bunny’s hop, as we come together to celebrate Easter joy and the warmth of community this beautiful season. 💛 ... See MoreSee Less
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🌟 Thank You, MCR Food Pantry Volunteers! 🌟Every Thursday morning, our incredible volunteers at Mountain Community Resources show up with heart and hustle—making sure our neighbors have access to fresh, healthy food. Over the past year, more than 600 community members came through our pantry doors, and thanks to these amazing folks, we were able to distribute over 9,000 bags of food. 💪🍎🥕To show our appreciation during Volunteer Month, we treated our team to a well-deserved pizza party—courtesy of Justin Acton and Boulder Creek Pizza & Pub—and gifted them some Community Bridges swag. Just a small token of our huge gratitude.From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for all you do. Our community is stronger, healthier, and more connected because of you. ❤️#VolunteerMonth #ThankYouVolunteers #CommunityBridges #MountainCommunityResources #FoodPantryHeroes ... See MoreSee Less
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