‘What a beautiful gift to give back,’ How Elk Grove Food Bank has provided needed resources for 50 years

Before Marie Jachino came to work at the Elk Grove Food Bank, the organization did not have a property. Instead, the food bank occupied two trailers which she described as being so small “only one person could walk down the aisle.”

Twenty years later, the Elk Grove Food Bank is celebrating its 50th anniversary inside two main buildings, including the operation’s 10,000-square foot distribution center that’s a hub for the region.

While the food bank’s exponential growth can be attributed to Jachino’s hard work and diligence as executive director, there is an additional factor: increasing food insecurity.

As of October 2023, more than 3 million households in California — including over 1 million households with children — face food insecurity, to the California Association of Food Banks.

Jachino said that food insecurity is even higher than it was during COVID and seniors are the ones most affected due to their fixed incomes.

“They’re trying to decide do they pay for their housing, their rent, their prescriptions, or get food. There’s some tough decisions for seniors on very limited income,” she said.

In an effort to mitigate this rising problem, the Elk Grove Food Bank hosts a Senior Day on the fourth Wednesday of every month specifically catered toward this community.

During Senior Day, the food bank is closed to everyone else, and seniors are given boxes of supplies they need for the month. In addition to food, the boxes can include sleeping bags, clothing and toiletries.

A passion and work ethic

Though the successes of the food bank are a team effort, Jachino has been at the forefront of the efforts for two decades.

Jachino, born and raised in Sacramento, grew up in a multigenerational household, with her grandfather from Yugoslavia, parents and other family members all under the same roof.

“I was always around seniors growing up, so I had a real passion,” she said.

It was this passion that led her to studying gerontology and become a state social worker.

After retiring, Jachino started her second career with the food bank. She first joined the Board of Directors in 2004 and was later appointed interim executive director in 2007.

Jachino said that whenever she saw a need she would start a program. During her tenure, the number of programs have expanded from two to 14, including the hiring of interpreter Hana Khanzadah who speaks seven languages.

The first program Jachino created was the Wellness Bag Program. She said the inspiration came from a group of HIV/AIDS positive women who had come to her expressing their need for assistance.

Jessica Gray was one of the original women who came to Jachino seeking help.

She now lives in a senior citizens residence and still gets a food delivery of milk, bread and fresh produce from the Elk Grove Food Bank once a month.

When she first met Jachino, Gray said the attitude around people living with HIV wasn’t the same as it is now. People wouldn’t want to associate or be near them, but she remembers Jachino always being kind and available if she needed her.

“You never know when food is going to run low. It feels good to know I can just call Marie. She always told us if you need something, just call me,” Gray said.

Though Jachino is far past retirement age and relayed how her employees are constantly asking her when she will take a much-needed break, it’s hard for her to imagine leaving it all behind.

“This is my baby,” Jachino said. “I’ve been married to the food bank for 20 years, and I don’t think I’ve ever been unhappy coming here.”

As she sits across from a portrait of Mother Theresa in her office every day, Jachino said

“It’s wonderful to know you’re making a difference in somebody’s life.”