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Help Sergio keep the the Second Helping pantry stocked

The the Second Helping pantry in Bakersfield is running low just as demand rises; $3,850 will stock it for 9 weeks.

Anywhere in the world2,683 views
Sergio Álvarez
Email verifiedDriver licence verified
Bakersfield
Since 2023, our volunteer team has run the Second Helping every Friday from the back of the parish hall. We started with 19 families, and now we feed 253 each week. Donations have dropped by about 55% this rainy season, while the line has grown every single week. We rely on volunteers - 11 of us - and keep no salaries or overhead. I buy staples at wholesale prices at the Bakersfield market and keep every receipt. Each $50 feeds a family of four for a week. I'll post the weekly shopping receipts and a photo of the shelves each Sunday. Where the $3,850 goes: • Rice, beans, flour and oil (wholesale): $1,750 • Fresh vegetables and fruit: $1,300 • Baby formula and diapers: $410 • Refrigeration and electricity: $390 Every share and every dollar helps. - Sergio

Updates from Sergio

  1. 43% there. I made the first payment toward refrigeration and electricity. Thank you.

  2. Small update. $735 so far, the first invoice got paid this week.

  • Nadia C. Steyn 🇿🇦 · $25
  • Anonymous 🇳🇱 · $25
  • Bhavani Rajan 🇮🇳 · $15
  • Leonardo Guilherme Prado 🇧🇷 · $5

    “Hope you get the rest soon. - Niterói”

  • Megumi Hara 🇯🇵 · $50
  • Joshua S. Freeman 🇺🇸 · $25
  • Eduardo Araújo 🇧🇷 · $25
  • Anonymous 🇲🇦 · $100
  • Akosua Vida Amponsah 🇬🇭 · $100
  • Elias Collins 🇺🇸 · $20

    “Small amount but sent with love. - Sacramento”

  • Temitope Omolara Fashola 🇳🇬 · $75

    “From Ikeja with love.”

  • Camille Brigitte Aubry 🇫🇷 · $20
  • Madhu G. Sidhu 🇮🇳 · $72.50

    “Best of luck. This is from my last paycheck, glad to do it. - Udaipur”

  • Alexandra D. Fields 🇬🇧 · $10
  • Anonymous 🇰🇪 · $29

    “Shared with friends too. - Likoni”

  • Lia Sri Sitompul 🇮🇩 · $5

    “Sending love. My cousin told me about this one. - Jakarta Barat”

  • Maryna Iryna Maksimov 🇺🇦 · $20
  • Tâm Trang Lieu 🇻🇳 · $25

    “Hope this helps. Gave what I could this week. - Hồ Chí Minh City”

  • Jennifer C. Holland 🇬🇧 · $73
  • Ronaldo Otávio Machado 🇧🇷 · $10

    “Hope it all works out - Belém”

Reviews

3.5(11 reviews)

Only people who gave to this need, or whose offer to help was accepted, can review it.

  • Kinsley Reyes🇳🇿Verified helper
    Amazing support system

    I had a complex problem and this person helped me navigate it step by step. Their expertise combined with their kindness made all the difference.

  • Alexandre Denis🇫🇷Verified donor
    Professional and kind

    I was struggling and didn't know where to turn. This person stepped in without hesitation and provided exactly what I needed. Their compassion and expertise made all the difference in my life.

  • Reagan D. Jordan🇺🇸Verified donor
    Trustworthy helper

    The help I received was exactly what was described and more. This person follows through on their commitments and genuinely cares about making a positive impact.

  • Mohan R. Babu🇮🇳Verified helper
    Exceeded expectations

    I had a complex problem and this person helped me navigate it step by step. Their expertise combined with their kindness made all the difference.

  • Rahel Yilma🇪🇹Verified helper
    Exceptional service

    This is what community support looks like. They didn't just offer generic advice; they provided personalized help tailored to my specific situation.

  • Samuel Ngowi🇰🇪Verified donor
    Amazing support system

    I can't speak highly enough about this helper. They were available when I needed them, supportive when I felt lost, and practical in their solutions.

  • Nina Alexandrov🇷🇺Verified donor
    Very responsive and caring

    This is the kind of person who restores your faith in humanity. They didn't just offer help; they genuinely cared about my wellbeing and followed through on every commitment.

  • Wilfredo Salvador🇵🇭Verified helper
    Very responsive and caring

    I can't speak highly enough about this helper. They were available when I needed them, supportive when I felt lost, and practical in their solutions.

  • Leah H. Cohen🇺🇸Verified donor
    Really cared about my situation

    I was skeptical at first, but this person proved to be reliable and genuinely interested in helping. Their response time was incredible and their solutions were practical.

  • Faith F. Aquino🇵🇭Verified helper
    Truly grateful for the support

    I was nervous about reaching out, but this person made me feel comfortable and supported from the very first interaction. Their help was invaluable.

  • Waleed Ghanem🇪🇬Verified donor
    Great help in a difficult time

    Perfect example of someone making a real difference. They took time out of their busy schedule to help me and never made me feel like a burden.

Questions & comments

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  • Rooting for you. Shared this with my family. After 18 years in hospitality I know how hard it's to ask for anything. God bless.

    • what exactly is the $3,850 for?

      • Sergio ÁlvarezOwnerAnswerID verified

        It's all in the list in the story. rice, beans, flour and oil (wholesale) is the big one at $1,750, I'll post a receipt when it's paid. Thanks, that means a lot.

    • wishing you the best, Sergio. Hope the build day goes well, wish I lived closer. Please keep us posted. All the best.

      • Keep going. More neighborhoods should do this. Don't be hard on yourself for asking

        • take care. Projects like this are what make a place worth living in. My mother had a similar thing happen so this one hit home.

          • Wishing you the best, Sergio. Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. I went through something like this 3 years ago and strangers helped me out. All the best.

            • sending love. It takes guts to ask. Well done. Thinking of Bakersfield.

              $3,084.50 raised of $3,850

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