AADC IN THE NEWS

Recent federal cuts to food banks and farmers prompted a group of volunteers from the Auburn Area Democratic Club (AADC) to organize a community forum titled “Taking Action on Hunger, Local Voices, Local Solutions.”

The goal of the June 5 event was to better understand the issues and to brainstorm ideas for helping the community.

“Providing food for children, seniors and low-income folks struggling in our current economy is a community-wide responsibility,” stated Andy Hayes, president of Auburn Interfaith Food Closet. “It is critical to have forums like this to talk about the needs and how we can solve them together.”

Four panelists, representing a cross-section of experts, were invited to explain how the federal cuts are directly affecting our community. The panelists and their respective affiliations were Hayes, Ryan Fruchtenicht, program manager for Placer County Health & Human Services; Tammi Riedl, founder and executive director of Gold Country Food Hub; and Laurie Rinker, regional philanthropy manager for Feeding the Foothills.

Approximately 70 highly engaged people attended the event at the Auburn Health and Human Resources Building. The questions and answers, together with informal conversations after the event, indicated attendees learned a lot and are eager to take the next steps in working on this issue. Attendees committed to taking action by advocating for funding changes, donating to the organizations that feed individuals and families in our area and volunteering with local organizations.

This forum was the first of several planned community events to bring awareness to issues facing community residents and to lift the need for engagement in addressing fundamental concerns for the community.

If you would like more information or to volunteer, email Dorian Seamster: doseamster@gmail.com.

Food Banks and farmers across the nation are struggling after at least $1 billion in USDA funding cuts, including $330 million for California. These cuts include $500 million in funding for food banks through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP0). Two USDA programs, the Local Food for Schools program ($660 million cut) and the local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement ($420 million cut) were deeply impacted. Both organizations helped schools and food banks buy food from local farmers.

The Auburn Area Democratic Club (AADC) has been growing exponentially since the November election, attracting people who are registered as No Party Preference, people who haven’t usually paid much attention to politics and moderate Republicans. Monthly meetings for the AADC have expanded so much the group has outgrown its meeting space and is moving to larger quarters.

“We are focused on supporting our community, and we are thrilled to welcome everyone who is looking for a collaborative and relatable group of folks who share our goals,” said AADC President Bex Campbell. “The November election and the current administration have shaken our community, and we are all rethinking our path forward.”

Among their outreach efforts for the past few years has been the Voter Registration Team at Sierra College, which engages students in conversations about current issues and helps them register to vote. Our Voter Registration Teams discovered the need for food support, and now we collect food for the Sierra College Basic Needs Center and Food Pantry. AADC also supports the “Fridays for the Future” folks who promote environmental concerns every Friday at noon in front of City Hall.

New this year are plans to adopt sister organizations in our community.

“We are pinpointing what organizations are trying to improve the health of our citizens, our environment and our economy, and throwing our resources behind them,” explained Campbell.

For example, AADC has voted to adopt the Gold Country Food Hub (GCFH) as an organization its members would like to support. Like the GCFH, Democrats support local farmers and believe everyone should have access to high-quality, clean food. They understand the importance of regenerative agriculture for the long-term success of our environment. They know a healthy economy builds its roots from local small businesses. They also know backing other organizations out there doing good work serves to make our whole community better.

AADC volunteers will advocate for funding and policies that support farmers and local foods systems. Volunteers will also support GCFH in their day-to-day operations and for special events, and AADC will link GCFH with resources within the community.

“We know that a healthy economy builds its roots from local small businesses. We also know that backing other organizations out there doing good work only serves to make our whole community better. Democrats believe in the value of building a strong community for all of us,” said AADC President Campbell.

While Democrats are a group of folks who have similar views on many aspects of life and policy, they do not agree 100 percent on everything.

“We are certainly not all the same in our beliefs,” acknowledges Campbell. “So how can we unite? We can start by focusing first on shared values and perspectives. When it comes to differences of opinions, we can practice what we hope others will: empathy and consideration.”

Anyone who is interested in learning about the new direction of the AADC can go to a monthly meeting (at 5:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month at City Hall) or attend a Coffee & Conversation event on Friday mornings from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the AADC headquarters at 161 Palm Ave., Suite 9. In addition, there will be a special Membership Day on Saturday, April 26, from 1-4 p.m. at the AADC headquarters office. All are welcome.

The bonus for joining AADC during April is that you automatically receive 15 months of membership for the price of 12 months.