An Interview with Bev Hatcher, Executive Director, United Samaritans Foundation
In March I had the privilege to interview Bev Hatcher, Executive Director of the United Samaritans Foundation to learn more about how they effect the community. Bev has worked for the foundation for over 15 years and has seen thousands of lives touched by their programs. I was inspired to tell a bit of their story and how our Gemperle Farms egg donation can make a difference in peoples lives. The unique Daily Bread Lunch Truck program delivers meals into the neighborhoods where the county’s most impoverished individuals and families reside. Their Food Box Day, Senior Lunch, Homeless Services and Cloths Closet Programs all assist those in need to transition to a better quality of life.
I was very inspired by our conversation and the work that the United Samaritan Foundation does in the Central Valley. Knowing that our Gemperle Farms Egg donations can help transform the lives of those in need in our local community is a great spiritual gift . Here is just a bit of our conversation ……
Susan: Tell me a bit about your partnership with Gemperle Farms and how that began?
Bev: Our partnership with Gemperle Farms began at the inception of United Samaritans. Your Dad, Ernie (Gemperle), was one of our long time Board members, and was instrumental in steering our organization to where we are today. We currently serve in 11 communities and our trucks stop at 53 stops daily, Monday thru Friday. When Ernie passed, Mike (Gemperle) took his place and he brings to our table a great skill set with IT. He saved our Fundraiser in November from disaster when our internet went down.
Susan: I was especially interested in your Daily Bread Food Truck program and the number of individuals that you reach. Can you tell me a bit about this?
We receive 450 dozen eggs a week from Gemperle Farms and we make egg salad sandwiches every Tuesday. We have many stories to tell that are heartwarming about our egg salad sandwiches. Everyone remembers them. We have a great group of volunteers who have been coming in every Monday for the last 25 years to cook the eggs we make for our sandwiches. Our Daily Bread Ministry lunch trucks serve a little under 400,000 meals every year. Our emergency Food Boxes serve over 33,000 meals, including , eggs every year. We could not do all we do without the support of Gemperle Farms. I believe it is the largest donator of our food source we have had in 25 years.
Photos of the Egg Sandwich Volunteer Brigade at the United Samaritans Foundation Kitchen.
Dedicated Volunteers at the United Samaritans Foundation
Gemperle Egg cooking
Susan: Will you be doing something special for Easter donations?
Every year volunteers gather during Holy Week and dye 1800 eggs to be given out off our trucks on Good Friday. We have a lot of fun and they do some beautiful work. We also have children with their parents helping out.
Photos of Egg Dying Shared by the United Samaritans
Dedicated volunteers making Easter eggs
- Making colored Easter eggs
Susan: Can you comment on the poverty and food insecurity in the Central Valley?
Bev: The problem with poverty and food insecurity is great in our Central Valley. One in five children live in poverty. Here we are the Bread Basket of the World and there are people who just get by every day. Our statistics show that 80% of those we serve are housed but in our area, housing is extremely expensive and it may take all the income a family receives to keep a roof over their head. They must make choices on how they spend their money. Food is relegated low on the priority. We are so glad we can support folks with good nutritious food such as eggs, milk, fresh fruit and vegetables on a daily basis. Many of our families and individuals live in areas that are considered food deserts, where there are no full service supermarkets within a mile of their homes. With the help of Gemperle Farms we have made a difference in our community and everyone who comes to receive food from us is always appreciative.
I thank Bev Hatcher for sharing a small portion of the United Samaritans Foundation story. Please consider making a donation to the the United Samaritans programs and help those in need in the Central Valley of California. Every little bit helps!
About Gemperle Farms Egg Donations
Gemperle Farms donates between 350,000 and 500,000 eggs every year. Over three fourths of the eggs donated go to United Samaritans Foundation and its affiliates (Hilmar Helping Hands, Turlock Together and Salvation Army). We just hit the 8,000,000 eggs donated since 2000 milestones …. see our short celebration video. We are excited about the impact we can make in our local community.
