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Territorial Dispatch

Lights Camera Hunger Action

Sep 12, 2024 10:08AM ● By Shamaya Sutton

Audience members attempt to guide a couple of “frozen” models during an improvised game at Lights Camera Hunger Action, a fundraising event for the Yuba-Sutter Food Bank on Sept. 6 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento in Wheatland. Photo by Natalie Syverson


YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - It was a serendipitous turn of events on Friday, Sept. 6 as the Yuba-Sutter Food Bank completed its first major fundraising event. Unbeknownst to the organizers, the first Friday in September is recognized as National Food Bank Day, a cause aimed at filling bellies and warming hearts.

“It's also hunger action month, which is why we named the event ‘Lights Camera Hunger Action’ but I didn't plan it to be National Food Bank Day, so that's pretty cool,” said Maria Ball, the Yuba-Sutter Food Bank executive director.


Jackie Sillman, left, and Maria Ball perform a comedic skit during Lights Camera Hunger Action, a fundraising event for the Yuba-Sutter Food Bank on Sept. 6 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento in Wheatland. Photo by Natalie Syverson


National Food Bank Day was reportedly founded in 2017 by St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance in celebration of the organization's 50th anniversary.

The event was strategically timed to take place in early September to both raise awareness and bolster local food stores before the winter months when food scarcity is often higher. Similarly, Ball and her volunteers wanted to maximize this opportunity to gather resources for those in need throughout the Yuba-Sutter community.


Joe Moye, left, and Anthony Dost perform as a couple of warehouse workers during Lights Camera Hunger Action, a fundraising event for the Yuba-Sutter Food Bank on Sept. 6 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento in Wheatland. Photo by Natalie Syverson


“It’s accurate to say that food recovery constitutes the largest expenditure in the Food Bank's budget,” said Jackie Sillman, a longtime Yuba-Sutter Food Bank volunteer and current board chair. “With ongoing demand often exceeding the cost of food purchases, the funds raised at events are crucial for covering expenses related to food recovery and distributions, including purchases, gas, and labor.”

Together, Ball and her team decided to throw a fundraising talent show featuring some of the area's top community performers. They employed the help of Michele Blake, Amanda Davis, and Joe and Lori Moye.

“We’ve known each other for a very, very long time,” said Moye in reference to Ball. “So, when she asked me, all I needed to know was when, where and what.”

Aside from a couple of quick meetings at Davis’s dance studio, Transitions Dance Center in Yuba City, the recruited talent was largely left to their own devices until the night of the show. The line up included acts such as Chicago Steve Barkley, The Fiddlin’ Brothers, the Yuba Sutter Improv Club and a sneak peek at Convergence Theater Company's upcoming show, “Jekyll & Hyde.”

“The evening was profoundly moving for me, particularly when the young performers touched our hearts when they expressed their gratitude for supporting the Food Bank's fundraising efforts,” Sillman said.


Dancers perform a rousing jazz number during Lights Camera Hunger Action, a fundraising event for the Yuba-Sutter Food Bank on Sept. 6 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento in Wheatland. Photo by Natalie Syverson


Lights Camera Hunger Action took place inside the Kumi Event Center at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Sacramento in Wheatland, which was generously donated for use by Hardrock. With a crowd of more than 100, the foodbank quickly met its goal of $40,000 and then some.

“It was amazing and I can’t wait until next year,” said Ball excitedly. “We’re very grateful to the community’s generosity.”

For more information about the Yuba-Sutter Food Bank, visit feedingys.org.