FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | May 27, 2020
Contact: Jessica Ng | jng@mercuryllc.com
No Kid Hungry California Inducts 328 Californians into its League of Hunger Heroes
Marks “Thank A Hunger Hero Day” to Honor Those Fighting Hunger, Feeding Kids During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Pasadena, CA – In recognition of the countless everyday Californians who have stepped up to fight hunger and get nutritious meals to children and their families during the coronavirus pandemic, No Kid Hungry California today announced inducting 328 Californians into its League of Hunger Heroes. These individuals – school nutrition professionals, custodial staff, bus drivers, teachers, parents, and volunteers – were nominated by their peers based on their tireless work in communities around the state.
“We are so grateful to the California League of Hunger Heroes – people who have worked tirelessly, fiercely, and creatively to feed kids during the current public health crisis. Thank you for all you have done for the children and families in your community!” said No Kid Hungry California Director Kathy Saile. “These 328 Californians represent just a small fraction of the Hunger Heroes on the ground who are getting healthy and nutritious meals to students all across the state. So many more deserve recognition, and we are thrilled to honor these outstanding Californians for their contributions.”
Individuals named to the League of Hunger Heroes include Californians representing 31 school districts:
- Adelanto Elementary School District
- Anaheim Union High School District
- Capistrano Unified School District
- Dinuba Unified School District
- El Monte City School District
- Fontana Unified School District
- Garden Grove Unified School District
- Golden Valley Unified School District
- Goleta Union School District
- Hesperia Unified School District
- Jurupa Valley Unified School District
- Lakeside Union School District
- Los Angeles Unified School District
- Monrovia Unified School District
- Moreno Valley Unified School District
- Morongo Unified School District
- Mountain View School District
- Natomas Unified School District
- Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District
- Oakland Unified School District
- Ontario-Montclair School District
- Palmdale School District
- Panama-Buena Vista Unified School District
- Rialto Unified School District
- Riverside Unified School District
- Rosemead School District
- San Francisco Unified School District
- Santa Clarita Valley School Food Service Agency
- STEM Prep Schools
- Victor Valley Union High School District
- Whittier Union High School District
Throughout the month of May, No Kid Hungry is saying a big “thank you” to everyone who has helped ensure kids are healthy and nourished during the crisis. The campaign has dedicated May 27 as #ThankAHungerHero Day, bringing together partners, champions and heroes from all across the country in a special day of thanks for their hard work. Since the pandemic started, the campaign has provided more than $2 million in emergency grants to nonprofit organizations and schools across the state that are finding new, innovative ways to provide free meals to children and families safely during this crisis. These grants are part of No Kid Hungry’s ongoing work to make sure kids across the state have the food they need both during this crisis and in its aftermath.
Let’s applaud and welcome our First Class to the California League of Hunger Heroes!
Thank you for all you have done for children and families in your communities!
Adelanto Elementary School District
- Julie Calderon, Child Nutrition Services Director
Anaheim Union High School District
- Orlando Griego, Child Nutrition Services Director
Capistrano Unified School District
- Shannon Illingworth, Nutrition Specialist
- Diane Stagner, Operations Supervisor
- Lisa Stilwagner, Operations Manager
Dinuba Unified School District
- Emma Rubio, Bus Driver
El Monte City School District
- Amada Aispuro, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Lupe Alvarado, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Maria T Alvarez, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Debra Amos, Child Nutrition Program Consultant
- Dancia Ann Cruz, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Mercedes Arambula, Warehouse Distribution Specialist
- Freddy Arcila, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Aguilar Arredondo, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Ram Avalos, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Margarita C Availa, Distribution Specialist
- Daisy Becerril, Distribution Specialist
- Celia D Berumen, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Gloria Bonilla, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Socorro G Briseno, Distribution Specialist
- Christopher Bromstead, Warehouse & Distribution Specialist
- Rosana Calvillo, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Robert Camberos, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Ruben Castro, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Ruby Castro, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Maria Celina Galindo Moreno, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Frank Cerna, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Rosa Maria Cervantes De Rosales, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Isaac Contreras, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Teresa A Cortes, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Anabelle Cuevas, Nutrition Service Assistant
- George Dale, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Maria De Jesus Valdez, Distribution Specialist
- Ana B De Leon De Escobedo, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Josefina Delgadillo, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Maria Delrefugio Gaona, Distribution Specialist
- Frank Diaz, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Elydia Dunning, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Marie E Banuelos, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Martha Elva Aponte, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Joseph Enriquez, Warehouse & Distribution Specialist
- Liz Estavillo Valdez, Acting Assistant Director
- Robert D Estrada, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Theodore Evanilla, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Maria Flora Soto, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Margarita Garcia, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Ofelia Garcia, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Gerardo Gonzalez, Warehouse & Distribution Specialist
- Monica Greenlee, Distribution Specialist
- Juana Guadalupe Pajar, Distribution Specialist
- Yolanda Guardado, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Danny Guitierrez, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Rick Guitierrez, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Benji Gutierrez, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Clara Gutierrez, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Guadalupe Huizar, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Adriana Irene Martinez, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Gicela Iribe Iribe, Distribution Specialist
- Maria Ismelda Aponte, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Veronica Johnson, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Maria Juana, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Magdalena A Kara, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Travis Kerr, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Anabel Ledesma Ulloa, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Liliana C Lopez, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Maria Lourdes Hernandez, Distribution Specialist
- Stacy Mae Duarte, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Sergio Martinez, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Chad Matthew Rickman, Distribution Specialist
- Joey Meza, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Yesenia Montes, Distribution Specialist
- Jose Navarro, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Martha Olga Espinoza, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Guillermo Paramo, Warehouse Distribution Specialist
- George Pareda, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Maria A Partida, Distribution Specialist
- Martina Perez, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Steve Perez, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Jen Piatos, Senior Accounting Technician
- Maria D Pulido De Tavarez, Distribution Specialist
- Armando Ramirez, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Asraseli Ramirez, Distribution Specialist
- Victor Rodriguez, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- George Romero, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Alma Rosa Gasca, Distribution Specialist
- Maria Rosales Gamboa, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Laura Ruiz, Administrative Assistant
- Johnny San Juan, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Anthony Sanchez, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Leticia Sofia Sanchez, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Justina Soria, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Jimmy Tessier, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Gerardo Torres, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Dolores Varela, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Arcelia Velasquez, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Francisco Vergara, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Sandra Veronica Gaxiola, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Jonathan Villacis, Warehouse Distribution Specialist
- Aracely Villanueva, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Marlen Villegas De Perez, Nutrition Service Assistant
- Janette Watts, Distribution Specialist
- Ronn Wilson, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Erin Zambrano, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
- Hector Zazzueta, Maintenance & Custodial Staff
Fontana Unified School District
- Mary Stevens, Bus Driver
- Manuel Cardona, Custodian at Palmetto Elementary
Garden Grove Unified School District
- Agnes Lally, Food Services Director
Golden Valley Unified School District
- James Howard, Food Services Manager
Goleta Union School District
- Jose Vargas, Main Cook
Hesperia Unified School District
- Heather Davis, Kitchen Supervisor
Jurupa Valley Unified School District
- Patty Tewell, Volunteer
Lakeside Union School District
- James Dumars, Executive Chef
Los Angeles Unified School District
- Shannon Delacruz, Food Services Manager at Sylmar Charter HS
- Elizabeth Felix, Food Services Manager at King MS
- Evelen Gurguis, Food Services Manager at Marina Del Rey MS
- Noemi Ylagan, Food Services Manager at Sotomayor HS
Monrovia Unified School District
- Alicia Escobar, Production Kitchen Manager at Monrovia HS
Moreno Valley Unified School District
- Carla Lyder, Nutrition Services Director
Morongo Unified School District
- Fabian Bazarewski, Bus Driver
- Sean Connor, Nutritional Services Assistant at Twentynine Palms HS
- Matthew Delgado, Nutritional Service Lead at Joshua Tree Elementary
- Agota McKenna, Instructional Assistant at Onaga Elementary
- Mike Morgan, District Carpenter
- Megan Pfau, Principal at Twentynine Palms Elementary
- Mike Ruggiero, Principal at Twentynine Palms HS
- Danny Strempke, Warehouse Lead
- Nico Villamero, Custodian at Onaga Elementary
- Amanda Warner, Site Supervisor at Condor Elementary
- Judith Whitney, Manager at Twentynine Palms Elementary
Mountain View School District
- Kelley Reyes, Dean of Students at Grace Yokley MS
Natomas Unified School District
- Trini Valencia, Food Service Assistant
Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District
- Chris Brown, Warehouse Lead
Oakland Unified School District
- Reyna Melero, Food Service Assistant
Ontario-Montclair School District
- Maria Adame, Nutrition Service Staff
- Jessica Agulair, Nutrition Service Staff
- Brenda Alatorre, Nutrition Service Staff
- Erika Alonso, Nutrition Service Staff
- Lena Ament, Central Kitchen
- Elsa Aparicio, Nutrition Service Staff
- Alma Arradondo, Nutrition Service Lead
- Zorika Arriaga, Nutrition Service Staff
- Kristine Barboza, Nutrition Service Staff
- Amanda Burdette, Nutrition Service Staff
- Maria Carlin, Nutrition Service Staff
- Manuela Casas, Nutrition Service Lead
- Nanette Castello, Nutrition Service Lead
- Susana Castellon, Nutrition Service Staff
- Terry Ceballos, Nutrition Center
- Elizabeth Chavez, Nutrition Service Staff
- Yasmin Chavez, Nutrition Service Staff
- Yolanda Chavez, Nutrition Service Staff
- Anita Davis, Nutrition Service Staff
- Tammy Delayo, Nutrition Service Staff
- Barbara Delgado, Nutrition Service Staff
- Victoria Dewitt, Nutrition Service Staff
- Maria Dominguez, Nutrition Service Lead
- Guadalupe Espinosa, Nutrition Service Staff
- Amatul Farooqi, Nutrition Service Staff
- Ruben Fernandez, Nutrition Service Lead
- Isidra Flores, Nutrition Service Staff
- Ivan Flores, Warehouse Staff
- Veronica Flores, Nutrition Service Staff
- Guadalupe Galdalmez, Nutrition Service Lead
- Priscilla Galdamez, Nutrition Service Staff
- Maria Gomez, Nutrition Service Staff
- Adaleida Gonzalez, Nutrition Service Staff
- Anthony Gonzalez, Warehouse Staff
- Yvette Gonzalez, Nutrition Service Staff
- Vanessa Govea, Nutrition Service Staff
- Maria Gutierrez, Nutrition Service Staff
- Tonia Howard, , Nutrition Service Lead
- Rosie Inigues, Nutrition Service Lead
- Minnie Irvin, Nutrition Service Staff
- Sonia James, Nutrition Service Staff
- Ranjit Kaur, Nutrition Service Staff
- Tommy Keith, Nutrition Service Staff
- Elizabeth Larsen, Nutrition Service Staff
- Alma Lopez, Nutrition Service Staff
- Sandra Machuca, Nutrition Service Staff
- Maria Manciallas, Nutrition Service Staff
- Alicia Marin, Nutrition Service Staff
- Lidia Marin, Nutrition Service Staff
- Amy Martinez, Nutrition Service Staff
- Elizabeth Martinez, Nutrition Service Staff
- Guadalupe Martinez, Nutrition Service Staff
- Angelica McConnell, Nutrition Service Staff
- Barbara McGee, Nutrition Service Staff
- Elba Medina, Nutrition Service Staff
- Delfina Mercado, Nutrition Service Staff
- Isela Mercado, Nutrition Service Staff
- Maria Montanez, Nutrition Service Staff
- Patricia Montecino, Nutrition Service Staff
- Lisa Moreno, Nutrition Service Staff
- Barbara O’Cleary, Nutrition Service Staff
- Delelna O’Cleary Pitts, Nutrition Service Staff
- Debra Olmos, Nutrition Service Staff
- Michelle Ortega, Nutrition Service Lead
- Bridgette Paden, Nutrition Service Lead
- Carmen Palacios, Nutrition Service Staff
- Ruth Parkes, Nutrition Service Lead
- Leora Pope, Nutrition Service Staff
- Maria Rachford, Nutrition Service Staff
- Rebekah Ramirez, Nutrition Service Staff
- Maria Ramos, Nutrition Service Lead
- Maria Reyes, Nutrition Service Staff
- Josie Rios, Nutrition Service Staff
- Susana Rivera, Nutrition Service Staff
- Monica Rodriguez, Nutrition Service Lead
- Maria Rojas, Nutrition Service Staff
- Yesenia Roman, Nutrition Service Staff
- Ana Romero, Nutrition Service Staff
- Adela Ruano, Nutrition Service Staff
- Armida Ruela, Nutrition Service Staff
- Raecine Sahabdool, Nutrition Service Lead
- Frank Salazar, Warehouse Staff
- Danyelle Sandoval, Nutrition Service Staff
- Rosalina Santana, Nutrition Service Staff
- Maria Sepulveda, Nutrition Service Lead
- Darlene Servin, Nutrition Service Staff
- Ramanjit Sibia, Nutritionist
- Flor Silvestre, Nutrition Service Staff
- Annette Sostre, Nutrition Service Lead
- Lisa Stadler, Nutrition Service Staff
- Tami Stepheson, Nutrition Service Staff
- Hilda Taffolla, Nutrition Service Staff
- Elizabeth Talmadge, Nutrition Service Staff
- Rekha Tiwari, Nutrition Service Staff
- Maria Torres, Nutrition Service Lead
- Josie Ureno, Nutrition Service Staff
- Lorena Valdovinos, Nutrition Service Staff
- Alma Valencia, Nutrition Service Lead
- Maria Vazquez, Nutrition Service Staff
- Vanessa Vazquez, Nutrition Service Staff
- Maria Velasquez, Nutrition Service Staff
- Margarita Vera, Nutrition Service Staff
- Belle Vu, Nutrition Service Staff
- Ashley Wallen, Nutrition Service Lead
- Caroline Williams, Nutrition Service Staff
- Nicole Zertuche, Nutrition Service Staff
Palmdale School District
- Rocio Nelson, Child Nutrition Manager at Tamarisk Elementary
Panama-Buena Vista Unified School District
- Dave Ueberroth, 2nd Grade Teacher at Miller Elementary
Rialto Unified School District
- Fausat Rahman-Davies, Child Nutrition Lead Agent
Riverside Unified School District
- Adleit Asi, Nutrition Services Director
- Carolina Perez, Systems Specialist
Rosemead School District
- Susana Alberto, Supper Program Assistant
- Christina Cam, Supper Program Assistant
- Soo Fong Yee, Supper Program Assistant
San Francisco Unified School District
- Jiwon Jun, Breakfast Expansion Consultant
- Ivan Rodriguez, Project Manager
- Simone Saldanha, Student Engagement Coordinator
- Hannah Smith, Wellness Policy Director
Santa Clarita Valley School Food Service Agency
- Robert Lewis, CEO of School Day Cafe
STEM Prep Schools
- Maria Sanchez, After School Coordinator at STEM Prep Elementary
Victor Valley Union High School District
- Nora Carrillo, Bus Driver
- Rita Arias, Food Service Worker at Adelanto HS
- Cumore Denby, Food Service Worker at Adelanto HS
- Stacy Doerksen, Operator at Adelanto HS
- Dymphna Estrada, Food Service Worker at Adelanto HS
- Pam Fernandez, Food Service Worker II at Adelanto HS
- Catrina Moreno, Food Service Worker at Adelanto HS
- Meybelin Ortiz-Carranza, Food Service Worker at Adelanto HS
- Joyce Potter, Food Service Worker at Adelanto HS
- Lori Ramos, Food Service Worker at Adelanto HS
- Martha Salgado, Food Service Worker at Adelanto HS
- Maria Selva, Food Service Worker at Adelanto HS
- Laurina Velasco, Food Service Worker at Adelanto HS
- Julio Aldana, Food Service Worker at Cobalt Institute of Math & Science
- Laura Cisneros, Food Service Worker at Cobalt Institute of Math & Science
- Rosalva Cisneros, Food Service Worker at Cobalt Institute of Math & Science
- Erica Deharo, Food Service Worker II at Cobalt Institute of Math & Science
- Diane Fernandez, Operator at Cobalt Institute of Math & Science
- Onna Garven, Food Service Worker at Cobalt Institute of Math & Science
- Marceline Oslen, Food Service Worker at Cobalt Institute of Math & Science
- Nayeli Osuna, Food Service Worker at Cobalt Institute of Math & Science
- Julie Velasquez, Food Service Worker at Cobalt Institute of Math & Science
- Loretta Burley, Food Service Worker at Hook Junior HS
- Dolores Corona-Tapia, Food Service Worker at Hook Junior HS
- Stella Corral, Operator at Hook Junior HS
- Sophia Dominguez, Food Service Worker at Hook Junior HS
- Kenneth Malwah, Food Service Worker at Hook Junior HS
- Maria Meza De Galvan, Food Service Worker at Hook Junior HS
- Patricia Moreno, Food Service Worker at Hook Junior HS
- Elodia Nunez, Food Service Worker at Hook Junior HS
- Becky Angel, Food Service Worker at Lakeside Leadership Academy
- Denice Balboa-Banks, Food Service Worker at Lakeside Leadership Academy
- Leonor Cansino, Food Service Worker at Lakeside Leadership Academy
- Cristini Clark, Food Service Worker at Lakeside Leadership Academy
- Sophie DerGalstanian, Food Service Worker II at Lakeside Leadership Academy
- Linda Walker, Operator at Lakeside Leadership Academy
- Adelina Allen, Food Service Worker at Silverado HS
- Nora Contreas, Food Service Worker at Silverado HS
- Debora Cruz, Food Service Worker at Silverado HS
- Elizabeth DeVicente, Food Service Worker at Silverado HS
- Teresa Doerksen, Food Service Worker II at Silverado HS
- Maria Garcia, Food Service Worker at Silverado HS
- Anita Hay, Food Service Worker II at Silverado HS
- Brianna Herndon, Operator at Silverado HS
- Johnnie Holloway, Food Service Worker at Silverado HS
- Raenette Lopez, Food Service Worker at Silverado HS
- Silvia Lopez, Food Service Worker at Silverado HS
- Santa Rodriguez, Food Service Worker at Silverado HS
- Esther Santiago, Food Service Worker at Silverado HS
- Cynthia Scott, Food Service Worker at Silverado HS
- Hazel Tafoya, Food Service Worker at Silverado HS
- Marta Zamudio, Food Service Worker at Silverado HS
- Norma Bernal, Food Service Worker at University Preparatory
- Aja Jarvis, Food Service Worker II at University Preparatory
- Constance Knoll Olson, Operator at University Preparatory
- Sherika Modest Green, Food Service Worker at University Preparatory
- Dorene Navarro, Food Service Worker at University Preparatory
- Tina Parma, Food Service Worker at University Preparatory
- Miriam Ruiz, Food Service Worker at University Preparatory
- Marisel Salazar, Food Service Worker at University Preparatory
- Rebeca Servin, Food Service Worker at University Preparatory
- Lakeshia Anderson, Food Service Worker at Victor Valley HS
- Marlene Benavidez, Food Service Worker at Victor Valley HS
- Jana Cantano, Food Service Worker at Victor Valley HS
- Evelyn Ceren, Food Service Worker at Victor Valley HS
- Angelica Deavila, Food Service Worker at Victor Valley HS
- Nicole Lacey, Food Service Worker at Victor Valley HS
- Martha Lopez, Food Service Worker at Victor Valley HS
- Connie Nordin, Food Service Worker at Victor Valley HS
- Doris Paredes, Food Service Worker at Victor Valley HS
- Irene Pettie, Food Service Worker II at Victor Valley HS
- Socorro Portillo, Food Service Worker at Victor Valley HS
- Gina Taug, Food Service Worker at Victor Valley HS
- Jennifer Wagner, Operator at Victor Valley HS
Whittier Union High School District
- Elizabeth Brown-Smith, Child Nutrition Services Director
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Learn more about our coronavirus response: https://www.nokidhungry.org/coronavirus
Learn more about resources available to program sponsors, community partners, and advocates at our Center for Best Practices: http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/coronavirus