Organizational Update / Actualización Organizacional

*ESPAÑOL A MEDIA PAGINA*

Dear Community,

As you know, on June 4th 2023, Alimentando al Pueblo suspended all activities until further notice. In the spirit of transparency that we have been developing through the organization, we would like to share that this pause is due to a deeply personal loss in our founder’s life, Roxana Pardo Garcia. Defying capitalist models that force us to return to “normalcy” as soon as possible and that deny our own humanity; Roxana has decided to take all the time she needs to process this loss, heal and integrate all the changes this transition is sure to bring to her life. Being a small organization with Roxana as our only paid employee, her taking this time means an imminent pause on all activities for organization.

At this time, we have vouchers that our team of volunteers are hoping to distribute as soon as possible. We are also excited to share we have recently received a few grants that should allow us to do one more distribution of boxes before the end of the year. We will share all details for these distributions in our social media pages.

We appreciate your grace as our volunteer team carries forth all activities for our foodbank in addition to their jobs and personal lives. Alimentando al Pueblo’s phone is out of commission until further notice.

We are deeply grateful for your understanding during this pause and hope to continue the community orientations upon our return so we can continue to not only feed our people; but also transform our food bank’s model.

Con Amor y Solidaridad,

Alimentando al Pueblo

 

Estimada comunidad,

Como ustedes saben, el 4 de junio de 2023, Alimentando al Pueblo suspendio todas sus actividades hasta nuevo aviso. Cultivando el espíritu de transparencia que estamos desarrollando a través de toda la organización, les informamos que esta pausa ha sido debido a una perdida personal muy grande en la vida de nuestra fundadora, Roxana Pardo Garcia. Desafiando los modelos capitalistas que nos obligan a volver a la “normalidad” lo antes posible y a desconectarnos de nuestra humanidad, Roxana ha decidido tomarse todo el tiempo que necesita para procesar esta perdida, sanar, e integrar todos los cambios que esta transición seguramente provocara en su vida. Siendo una organización pequeña con solo Roxana como empleada pagada, su retiro implica la pausa inminente de todas actividades para nuestra organización.

En este momento tenemos certificados de compra que estamos coordinando para distribuir lo antes posible con nuestro equipo de voluntarios. También estamos entusiasmados de compartir que recientemente hemos recibido subvenciones que seguramente nos permitirá hacer una distribución de cajas mas antes de que se termine el año. Tan pronto coordinemos los detalles de estas distribuciones, se les dejara saber a través de nuestras paginas sociales.

Les agradecemos su paciencia mientras nuestro equipo voluntario maneja las actividades del banco en adición a sus trabajos y vidas personales. El teléfono de Alimentando al Pueblo esta fuera de servicio hasta nuevo aviso.

Agradecemos infinitamente su comprensión durante esta pausa, y esperamos a nuestro regreso continuar el proceso de orientaciones comunitarias para – no solo alimentar al pueblo – si no transformar el modelo de nuestro banco de comida.

Con Amor y Solidaridad,

Alimentando al Pueblo

Martha Molina

Safety Specialist at Boeing Co

Martha is a workplace safety professional and has been in the worker’s compensation arena for over 12 years. Graduating from the University of Washington undocumented, before DACA, she navigated through higher education advocating for herself to remain in school. She’s currently earning her Masters’ in Safety and Health Management from Central Washington University. During her spare time, she mentors Latina students, translates immigration letters for people seeking legal relief and assists in resume/cover letter preparation. She currently resides in Federal Way, WA with her husband Mario of 10 years, their daughter Dahlia and two chihuahuas, Buttercup and Dixie. Martha holds a Master’s of Safety and Health Management from Central Washington University. OSHA Safety Leadership for General Industry Certification.

 

Susana Contreras-Mendez

Senior Associate for Education Strategy Group

Susana Contreras-Mendez joined ESG in 2022 to support its Post-secondary Attainment portfolio. Prior to joining ESG, Susana was an Associate Learning and Impact Officer at Ascendium Education, where she worked in partnership with the philanthropic team to measure its performance and to support collective learning about its strategy and operations. Previously, she was a researcher at the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, a policy think tank in Washington, D.C. She conducted research on strategies to increase upward mobility for families, with a particular focus on the post-secondary experiences of student parents.

Other professional experiences include interning at Lumina Foundation and directly supporting low-income families through nonprofit and government programs. Outside of ESG, Susana serves on the board of Alimentando al Pueblo, a non-profit working to promote healing through comunidad, comida, and celebración (community, food, and celebration).

As a former Head Start child, first-generation college graduate, and TRiO Alum, Susana has firsthand knowledge of education’s transformational benefits. Susana holds a Master of Higher Education degree with a concentration in Diversity and Social Justice from the University of Michigan and a dual bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington in Sociology and American Ethnic Studies with a minor in Education, Learning, and Society.