By Wyatt Miller
OXNARD, Calif. – Jennifer Caldwell, the chief development officer at Food Share of Ventura County, helped organize a Thanksgiving food drive on a rainy Tuesday in November. Despite the overcast conditions, over 20 staff members and 80 volunteers showed up to provide more than 4,000 families with Thanksgiving meals.
"(On a) rainy Tuesday, we have over 80 people here, including elected officials, board members (and) the Los Angeles Rams," Caldwell said. "If that doesn't define community, no matter the need, I don't know what does."
Caldwell was surprised with the honor of being a Rams "pLAymaker" at the event, and was overcome with emotion and gratitude for the support. She received a $5,000 check from the Rams to Food Share of Ventura County as part of the recognition.
After 20 years of serving the community at Food Share, Caldwell was overwhelmed to be presented with the Rams' community award, which she knows well.
"It really is hard to describe because I follow the LA Rams and all of the work that you do in the community and I've seen other people that have been awarded this playmaker, including one of our 20-plus year volunteers a few years ago," Caldwell said. "So, the fact that my name is even going to be in consideration with his, it just means so much."
Caldwell has always had a passion for helping the less fortunate, and said she wants to set a positive example for her daughter by supporting her community. She said that if she can "provide that change and inspire change to others, then I feel like I've done an okay job (with that)."
Food Share of Venture County distributes almost 20 million pounds of food each year, according to their website, partnering with 174 agencies to reach 331 distribution locations in the area.
"We believe that nobody should go hungry, and if I can wake up every single day and make sure that one less family that is struggling with food, I will do that every single day," Caldwell said.
Food Share received 20-lb turkey donations from Jennie-O Turkey Store and Albertsons Company in order to make the day possible. They also received support from Sun Air Jets, Reiter Affiliated Companies, Driscoll's, Amgen, Sysco and California American Water to make the event possible.
"I really just put it back on my team and the volunteers in this community for putting me in a position to do this and to be this (honoree)," Caldwell said.
"At Food Share, we turn every dollar donated into at least three nutritious meals for Ventura County families," the website says. "We work with local partners, grocery stores, farmers, and community supporters who help rescue surplus food and provide generous contributions. The rescued and donated food travels to our warehouses, where it is carefully sorted and stored by volunteers and staff."
Caldwell has been a full-time staffer at Food Share for nine years, doing everything from event planning to marketing before becoming the chief development officer in 2019. She also recently joined Feeding America as an executive leadership committee member this past year, according to her LinkedIn.
Caldwell thinks that everyone can impact change in their own communities as long as they follow their passion, because there are always people and organizations in need of assistance.
"Find your passion, whether it's food and security, whether it's fighting for children, whether it's fighting for social justice, whatever it is that is your passion, put your heart and soul behind it because there are tons of amazing organizations out there that need people," Caldwell said. "Whether it's dollars, hours, support, whatever it is, time, talent, pleasure, there are organizations that need it, so find your passion and put your whole heart behind it."
