Give El Cerrito Residents The Dignity Of A Sunday Supper

EL CERRITO, CA — A holiday that doesn’t appear on traditional calendars — National Sunday Supper Month, observed through Jan. 31 — takes on added importance as so many El Cerrito residents struggle to get enough to eat as they cope with coronavirus pandemic-related job losses, business failures, and other economic hardships.

The idea behind National Sunday Supper Month is to rediscover the tradition of families spending time together at the dinner table to share stories from the previous week, according to Isabelle Laessig, the founder of the Sunday Supper Movement.

For about 149,000 people in Contra Costa County, lavish Sunday evening meals — or any meals — aren’t in the budget. That’s according to a projection by Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, that as many as 50 million Americans faced food insecurity at 2020’s end.

You can help with a tax-deductible contribution to Feeding America, which says the economic fallout of the pandemic has sent millions of Americans to food banks for the first time. For every $1 you give, Feeding America is able to provide 10 meals through its network of 200 food banks that serve and supply 60,000 food pantries, kitchens, and meal programs.

If you’re among those struggling to find enough food — or if you want to volunteer — contact the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano, which can steer you to all resources here in the community. Call 707-421-9777.

Sunday evening suppers don’t just nourish the body.

The importance of the family meal — often the only time of the day when the entire family spends time together — is firmly grounded in research, which shows sitting down together to eat doesn’t just nourish the body but also has social, physical and emotional benefits.

The Sunday Supper Movement traces back to 2012, when food blogger Isabel Laessig’s oldest child left home for college and left her longing for the time spent in the kitchen and with family at mealtime. She and eight other bloggers Laessig said were “passionate about bringing families together to cook and eat together” held the first virtual progressive Sunday Supper.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimated that by the end of 2020, more than 50 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.

—Written by Beth Dalbey with additional reporting by Bea Karnes