The Carmichael Seventh-day Adventist Church Community Service Food Bank is a busy place every Wednesday morning. It started in a small room with a handful of dedicated seniors and a few shelves of canned goods. Today, it’s one of the largest weekly food ministries in the Sacramento area—serving over 1,500 people every Wednesday. And at the heart of this powerful operation? A humble partnership between the Carmichael Seventh-day Adventist Church and Sacramento Adventist Academy middle school students.
It’s not flashy. It’s not glamorous. But it’s real. It’s raw. And it’s quietly changing lives—on both sides of the table.
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Food Pantry History | Began in 2007 with 12–20 families; now serves 350+ families weekly. |
| SAA Student Involvement | Weekly service by rotating groups of 6th–8th grade students since 2020. |
| Community Impact | Includes drive-thru service, walk-up support for unhoused clients, and multilingual registration. |
| Educational Benefit | Reinforces SLOs like grit, integrity, positive citizenship, and lifelong relationships. |
| Intergenerational Connections | Students work alongside seniors, many of whom are grandparents of SAA students. |
| How to Help | Volunteer or donate through Carmichael SDA. |
The Carmichael SDA Community Services Center started quietly in 2007—tucked behind the church, run by “a group of single elderly ladies and one gentleman,” as one longtime leader described. Back then, they served maybe 12 to 20 families each week.
But when the 2008 financial crisis hit, the need skyrocketed. So did the response. A garden was planted on Sacramento Adventist Academy’s campus, yielding 5–10 tons of fresh produce annually. A red wagon appeared in the church lobby, where congregants could donate canned goods. Refrigeration units were installed. The pantry grew—organically, faithfully, and fast.
And then came COVID.
“When COVID hit, everything changed,” said Judy Wong, current director of the pantry. “The numbers doubled. Tripled. And so did the volunteers.” Community members, previously spectators, became the backbone of the pantry. Afghan, Russian, Ukrainian, and Andari-speaking neighbors joined the team. The pantry adapted to a drive-through model, added walk-up services for unhoused individuals, and even began distributing food across Northern California to smaller churches in need.
Today, the pantry runs like a small logistics hub—with pallets of produce, rolling carts, and human connection. And that’s where our SAA Middle-school students come in.
In 2020, a few SAA middle school teachers heard the call for help—and decided to answer it.
“We kept hearing the announcements at church,” said a Stephanie Ferguson – Vice-Principal for the Middle school and member of the Carmichael Church. “We wanted to do something real with our students. Not just talk about service—do it.”
And so, on a Wednesday morning, they brought the entire 8th grade. Chaos? Yes. But it was the good kind—the joyful, “we’re figuring this out together” kind. That first trip led to a weekly rotation, where 17–18 students now serve every Wednesday morning, missing just one class period a month to make a tangible difference.
What do they do?
Load wagons full of produce, dairy, grains, and protein.
Run carts to cars, sometimes jogging to keep up with the pace.
Serve walk-up guests, often unhoused or car-less, offering hot drinks, meals, and bottled water—even for their pets.
Stock and restock supplies, sort bread and desserts, and support the older volunteers with heavy lifting.
One student summed it up this way:
“I’m loading wagons, helping with cars, and trying to make a difference in our community.”
Another said:
“It’s a lot of work. But the best part is the feeling you get—like real joy. We’re actually helping people.”
The pantry isn’t just a place to serve—it’s a living classroom for our Schoolwide Learner Outcomes. Every bag of potatoes lifted and cup of hot soup handed out is a moment of critical thinking, grit, empathy, and positive citizenship in action.
Here’s what students have noticed:
“We’re not just helping—we’re learning. We get to step outside of ourselves and into someone else’s shoes.”
“I’ve met some of the same walk-up guests every month. We know each other now. That feels really meaningful.”
“The adults who volunteer are amazing. They treat us like equals, and we get to help them too.”
These moments also reinforce what it means to nurture lifelong relationships—not just with classmates, but with adults from different generations, backgrounds, and life experiences. Some volunteers are grandparents of current students. Others attend SAA performing arts programs. It’s real, organic community—the kind that no app or Zoom session can replicate.
Despite the pantry’s success, the need isn’t shrinking.
And yet, they press on. Every Wednesday. Rain or shine.
So how can you help?
Give your time: Join us on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. If you can lift 30–50 lbs, even better.
Share your talent: Speak a second language? Great. Love logistics? Even better.
Offer your treasure: Donations help fund food purchases, refrigeration, and supplies.
Visit Carmichael SDA’s Community Services page to learn how you can get involved.
At SAA, our mission is to prepare students for academic success and a lifetime of service. That second part? It’s not theoretical. It’s every bit as important as the first.
Every box packed, every handshake offered, every moment of laughter between generations in that food bank parking lot? That’s service. That’s education. That’s Christ’s love on full display.
Want to explore how we integrate service into the middle school experience?
Check out our Middle School Program or see how you can volunteer with us.
5601 Winding Way
Carmichael, CA 95608
Ph: (916)481-2300
