08/01/2026
Not enough words to express how much fun we had, how grateful we are, how much of a massive success it was!
Ran out of tables and chairs, food was abundant as always, company was the best!
The whole story is such a good one…
 There are nights that remind you exactly why you do what you do.
Last night was our annual Good Food, Good Mood BBQ, and once a year we get to throw open the warehouse doors to celebrate the people who make this mission possible, our volunteers, coalition partners, clients, friends, and community.
This year was one for the books.
We wanted every person who walked through those doors to feel just how loved and appreciated they are. So of course we showered them just like we do our clients!!! (Flowers, food, groceries, candy bar, bingo, music, ….)
There was bingo with some pretty incredible prizes, an entire flower bar where everyone got to build a bouquet to take home, one of our Mobile Farmers Markets stocked and ready to shop, our Little Neighborhood Pantries and Birthday Box programs on display, and a candy bar that had everyone feeling like a kid again.
Nobody left empty-handed. Arms were full, literally over flowing! Hearts were exploding! Bellies were definitely full.
As always, dinner was made with food from our pantry. (Because we have the best food to share)
We served pulled pork, beans, potatoes, fresh salads, fruit cups, veggie cups, pesto tortellini salad, more desserts than we could count… and the unanimous favorite of the night: Sonia’s legendary upside-down pineapple cake.
We celebrated one of our longtime volunteers on his birthday last night, played bingo where every single person joined in, laughed until our cheeks hurt, had incredible music from Matt at Flood DJ Productions, and simply enjoyed being together.
It didn’t feel like an event.
It felt like a family dinner.
To every volunteer, donor, partner, and friend who gives your time, your resources, and your heart to this organization, thank you.
You are the reason Good Food Good Mood Movement exists, and nights like these are our favorite way to celebrate the extraordinary community we’re blessed to be part of.
You can’t make up something this good…
A feeling of this much gratitude…
A love for people you never knew existed…
It’s only possible when you experience The Food Initiative of Greater Stanislaus in real life person. Come join us…to serve. We need more people like you.
Until next year… ❤️(which we hope you can come…because we would love to have you)
To those on our board who could make it…we adore you all.
❤️Naomi Pulido (The hardest working, biggest love of a CEO)
