As Tonya Thomas and several dozen volunteers with Sunday’s Feeding the Multitudes event prepared to hand out 1,000 free boxes of food, a simple yet powerful concept came to mind: community.
Spearheaded by the Rocklin-based Diamond Electric Group Inc., the Feeding the Multitudes event @the Grounds was an attempt to help those impacted by the COVID-19 public health crisis.
For Thomas, one of the many congregants with the Rancho Cordova-based New Life Christian Church, being able to help the community after weeks at home was impactful. Prior to Sunday morning’s kick-off, Thomas reflected on the previous two days where volunteers staged and distributed an assortment of food items into 1,000 boxes.
“When I left here on Friday and Saturday, my spirit just felt so full,” Thomas said. “But this feeling wasn’t about me, it was about giving back to the community. Because we have been at home, it feels like you are so isolated. But then to be a part of something that is helping others, it just made it so special.”
For Ron and Julie Eddlemon, owners of Diamond Electric Group Inc., Sunday’s event was an opportunity to help the community they call home. With service to God and giving back to the community a fundamental aspect of Ron and Julie Eddlemon’s lifes, they felt compelled to help those who might be in need.
“Due to COVID-19, we know there are families struggling to provide for their needs,” the Eddlemons said in a statement. “Our hearts break for those families and we wanted to do something to help some of them. To reach out to the community and help in some way is truly a blessing.”
According to the couple’s calculation, the contents of the 1,000 food boxes were enough to make 80,000 meals. Leftover boxes from Sunday’s event were going to be distributed to several local churches, nonprofit organizations and food banks.
While there are no official plans to make the Feeding the Multitudes event an annual tradition, Julie Eddlemon was optimistic because of the enthusiasm displayed by volunteers and Diamond Electric employees.
