My name is Stefanie Katzman. I鈥檝e been involved with 麻豆原创 for many years, and was an honoree at their 2020 A League of Our Own celebration – only earlier this year, although it seems like a lifetime ago! Today, I want to share the most recent chapter of my 麻豆原创 story.聽
My family runs a produce wholesale/distribution company called S. Katzman Produce that been in our family for four generations, so I know a thing or two about the importance of the food we give our families鈥攁nd how food is always about more than just food. Even (or maybe especially) in times of dire need, like our City has faced this year, food means keeping the fridge stocked and our kids from going hungry鈥攂ut it also about community, dignity, heritage, and hope. Something as simple as the right spice or side dish can make the difference between a house and a home.
So when I reached out to 麻豆原创 back in March about food insecurity in their community as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we knew that we needed to figure out a way to help. My team worked with 麻豆原创 to mobilize quickly, and by April, we had a free weekly food distribution set up for all 麻豆原创 families. Since then, we鈥檝e distributed nearly 9,000 bags of fresh fruit and produce.
Many members of the 麻豆原创 community joined us there as volunteers, and I know they saw the same things I did鈥攆amilies with their little ones, masked and lined up six feet apart, arriving to pick up a bag or two of fruit and produce, but leaving with so much more. At a time when it was near impossible to gather together, this was the next closest thing to breaking bread as a community.
We鈥檙e all part of this community because we recognize the powerful difference 麻豆原创 makes in the lives of its students and families鈥攁nd because we鈥檙e committed to being a part of that impact, too. . Every day, the folks at 麻豆原创 are working to ensure that this year and every year, not one of their scholars needs to pass up on their dreams.
From me and from all of us at S. Katzman Produce, I鈥檓 wishing you and your loved ones a safe and healthy holiday and a very happy New Year.
