Marcella Foundation Brews Up Appreciation for First Responders

On Monday, February 3rd, the Marcella Foundation partnered with Starbucks Coffee to bring a well-deserved boost of energy to our local first responders. Fire stations from South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue, Lake Valley Fire Protection District, the California Conservation Corps, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, and Barton Health received generous donations of coffee and donuts as a small token of appreciation for their unwavering service to our community.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Fighters with their doughnuts and coffee.

This heartwarming initiative began when the Starbucks at the Y reached out to our director, Melissa Uppendahl, Executive Director of the Marcella Foundation, seeking assistance with delivering the donations. With the enthusiastic support of California Climate Action Corps Fellows Katie Sloan and Lily Summerville, along with dedicated community volunteers, the distribution effort was a smooth and successful collaboration. Each recipient received a five-pound bag of coffee beans and a dozen donuts—a simple but meaningful way to say thank you.

Dedicated Starbucks Workers

Five-pound bag of coffee beans and donuts

These first responders go above and beyond every day to keep our community safe. Their recent efforts in aiding with the Eaton and Palisades fires in Los Angeles last month serve as a shining example of their dedication. Personnel from South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue, Lake Valley Fire Protection District, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, and the California Conservation Corps Tahoe Meyers Fire Crew bravely responded to these emergencies, demonstrating their steadfast commitment to public safety.

To recognize these efforts, Food Rescue volunteers took time out of their Monday morning to deliver donations to the fire stations and Barton offices. Through the Marcella Foundation’s app-based program, FeedTahoe, anyone can sign up and be alerted when a food rescue is available. Completing a rescue involves picking up surplus food from a donor in town and delivering it to a recipient in need. Serving as a Food Rescue volunteer is a simple way to give back to our community and help our environment by saving food that would otherwise be thrown away. We greatly appreciate those who helped deliver these coffee donations, as well as the volunteers that continue to make food rescues! If you would like to learn more about our FeedTahoe program to become a volunteer or a food donor, please click here to learn more.

Thank you notes to our first responders.

The dedication of our volunteers and the bravery of our first responders keep South Lake Tahoe strong and connected. We are grateful for everyone who participated in this donation event and for those who serve our community every day. Thank you for making a difference!