About this Event
Breakfast Host: Calvary Presbyterian Church
Flood and fire events have become a regular occurrence in recent years and faith groups have had important roles in helping ensure disaster victims and evacuees can access food. The program will focus on how congregations and other faith-based organizations can be integrated into the fabric of emergency response to facilitate access to food.
Learn about inspiring examples of congregations providing access to their facilities to store food for distribution; preparing meals; and providing space for evacuees to eat. Hear about how to facilitate enrollment in government food assistance for people hit by disasters including undocumented individuals. Learn about Interfaith Food’s current survey of congregations and faith-based service agencies to gather accurate and current information on specific assets that can help address food security during disasters.
The Interfaith Sustainable Food Collaborative has been working since 2012 to help congregations grow a more just and sustainable food system through supporting grassroots projects and advocacy. More information can be found at www.interfaithfood.org
Reflective Moment: Nancy Sheftel Gomes, Jewish Educator, Congregation Sherith Israel
Featured Presenter: Steve Schwartz, Executive Director, Interfaith Food
Steve Schwartz, Executive Director of Interfaith Food, has over 25 years of professional leadership with community organizing, farmer training and advocacy. He founded the Interfaith Sustainable Food Collaborative in 2012. He has worked with Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh communities to facilitate projects connecting congregants to a healthy, and just food system.
Steve has presented at local, regional and national conferences addressing the intersection of food justice and faith-based community organizing. These include: the USDA’s National Ramadan in Washington, D.C. and Harvard Divinity School. Previously Schwartz served as the Founder and Executive Director of California FarmLink, and before that served as Chief of Staff to two state Assemblymembers; and a Peace Corps Volunteer. He served on boards of groups including California Reinvestment Coalition, Community Alliance with Family Farmers, Marin Food Policy Council and two synagogues.
Presenter: Sousiva Ing, Interfaith Food
Sousiva Ing, Communications and Reporting Associate at Interfaith Food, focuses on partner outreach, needs assessment, event planning and program development and reporting. Her involvement at Wat Lao Saysettha, a Buddhist Temple in Santa Rosa, sparked her interest in interfaith work and connecting the community through food.
Faith Journey: Dr. Zachary Markwith, Deputy Director, Islamic Networks Group (ING)