Kiwanis Roseville, Feeding the Foothills join forces to fight hunger

With severe cuts in federal programs like Medicaid and SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), and with price increases for food and gas in a troubled economy, fundraising help is urgently needed. Food assistance needs continue to surge for individuals and families in the tri-counties foothills area of Placer, El Dorado and Nevada counties, impacting those who are chronically food insecure and working families who need extra food each month due to increasing cost of living. "Every day, so many people are doing everything they can to make ends meet," isa Heinrich, director of development and communications of Feeding the Foothills, shared with the Kiwanis Club of Roseville. "Many work multiple jobs, care for elderly parents or raise kids on their own. More parents skip meals so their children can eat. Seniors are making impossible choices between food and medicine. One thing that threads through is the tireless effort to put food on the table." But there is a way to help, coming soon. Kiwanis and Feeding the Foothills are joining forces to help maximize fundraising efforts. The 16th annual Rocklin Community Festival, one of the biggest events in south Placer County, returns to Johnson-Springview Park in Rocklin from May 7-10, for four days of carnival rides and games, live music and entertainment, food trucks, vendors and family fun. This event is a major fundraiser for Kiwanis of Roseville, which contributes to Feeding the Foothills. "Our members work hard to help those in need," said Mike March, president of the Roseville Kiwanis Club. "And this festival is a fun four days designed for families to have fun spending money while knowing their dollars are going toward critical needs like Feeding the Foothills and other causes." Kiwanis Club fundraising causes include Feeding the Foothills, cancer treatment and recovery, foster care and adoption services, youth sports such as Rocklin and Roseville PAL, Boys and Girls Club, Girl and Boy Scouts, Tommy Apostolos, and Kiwanis Family House at UC Davis. Last year, the festival raised $34,000 for those causes and more. Festival hours are Thursday, May 7, 4-9 p.m.; Friday, May 8, 4-10 p.m.; Saturday, May 9, noon-10 p.m.; and Sunday, May 10, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.