Volunteer News

Margaret "Peggy" Scott Raisbeck - April 4, 1940 - August 31, 2011

Peggy Raisbeck was born in New York City, the daughter of the late H. Lee Scott and Mary Anna Laycock. She passed away peacefully in her home, with her loving family around her, after a courageous and inspirational three year battle with Cancer. She leaves behind a legacy of service, caring, and a zest for life that few can match. After moving to Danville, CA in 1987, she joined the local chapter of Loaves and Fishes, and organized the first soup kitchen in Concord. She helped run this kitchen for 15 years, feeding thousands of homeless and underprivileged families. "She didn't just serve food," Peter Raisbeck said. "She'd prepare and everything, but then when the people started coming in, she wanted to go sit at the tables and talk with them, find out what are you doing here? How did you get here? Where do you live? She had a great knack for finding people with potential who had an unfortunate set of circumstances. And she'd help them.

Volunteers Mary Johannes and Sharon Ramos are very special women. Each week they volunteer at Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa in Oakley at the Redman-Pocahantas Hall. Mary says by volunteering she can do something to help others, instead of sitting home alone moping! Sharon believes that “a helping hand goes a long way” and brings special treats to the clients and volunteers like pizza and holiday decorations. Mary and Sharon, along with Debbie Robertson, our awesome Oakley dining room manager and the other volunteers, make such a difference with their kindness and positive energy.

Every fourth Friday of the month Marty Pfeiffer and her group of St. Joan of Arc members and friends come to the Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa Pittsburg Dining Room to volunteer their services. They are a fun, friendly group who are there to serve and help others. This group has been volunteering at Loaves and Fishes since the mid 1980’s! They started back when Loaves and Fishes was serving meals at St. Michael’s in Concord and they were cooking the meals themselves. Hal, Eileen and Karen are retired Delta Airline employees and have been pals for years. Thank you Marty, Hal, Eileen, Katy, Karen and Joe for being such a loyal, wonderful group!

Delicious food and plenty of it, fantastic raffle prizes, tote-bag favors, balloons and the greatest guest list in Contra Costa County--and what party could that be?  Why the very successful Second Annual Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa Volunteer Appreciation Party, "We've Come a Long Way!", held on May 18th at St. Andrew's Church beautiful Celebration Center. Over 150+ wonderful Loaves and Fishes volunteers turned out to enjoy the festivities. Many thanks to all who helped the Loaves and Fishes Board of Directors put on the event: Cindy Skinner, our mistress of ceremonies who kept the program lively; Phil Bennett, Starship keyboardist, who provided background music; Ben Huddleston and Scott Ollson  who did so many things to make the day a success, and to the many donors of our fantastic door prizes.  Thanks again to our wonderful volunteers!

Click here to see all the pictures from the party!