Cal Guardsmen distribute food to Napa Valley residents

Photo By Staff Sgt. Edward Siguenza | U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Chris Petrossian of the California Army National Guard’s 115th Regional Support Group, loads food and other items into a vehicle April 1, 2020, in St. Helena, California, as Cal Guardsmen continue providing humanitarian assistance during the COVID-19 crisis. Petrossian is one of several hundred Cal Guardsmen assigned to food banks up and down the state. The Napa Food Bank in Napa, California, extended its arm to help local residents and Cal Guardsmen were there to help. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Eddie Siguenza)  

ST. HELENA, CA, UNITED STATES

04.01.2020

Story by Airman 1st Class Melanie L. Nolen 

California National Guard Primary   

ST. HELENA, Calif. (April 1, 2020) – California National Guardsmen worked with the Napa Food Bank to distribute food to residents of the Pope Valley area of St. Helena, California, April 1, 2020. Cal Guardsmen and food bank volunteers diligently packed boxes and bags with fresh meats, dairy products and fresh fruits and vegetables at the food bank during the week.

Nestled in a charming town in Napa Valley, the Pope Valley Farm Center is usually a bustling event center for weddings and special events. Today, the dark wooden-shingled building is only a backdrop to a large gravel parking lot that offers a central location for Cal Guard service members to distribute food to area residents while maintaining safe physical distancing during the COVID-19 crisis.

“Today the National Guard will be helping us distribute and take the boxes to the resident’s vehicles so they don’t have to get out, to keep with the social distancing and the safety of everybody involved,” said Moriah Kelly, a Community Action of Napa Valley volunteer, who drives the food bank’s rental truck. “They also help us prepare these boxes. They fill them with all of the groceries we are giving out today.”

Cal Guardsmen have been working throughout the state to assist area food banks with packaging and distribution of food as many traditional volunteers are sheltering at home as a safety precaution to limit the spread of COVID-19.

“We have diverse backgrounds from all over California and have a significant impact on local California communities,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Joshua A. Mosley of the 115th Regional Support Group, who is one of the soldiers who helping distribute food to local residents. “There's a great satisfaction in helping people in times of need."

By April 1, the Cal Guard had distributed over 67,000 meals through the Napa Food Bank, contributing to a total of over 3 million meals distributed by Guardsmen at food banks throughout the state so far.

• Date Taken: 04.01.2020
• Date Posted: 04.08.2020 13:13
• Story ID: 366649
• Location: ST. HELENA, CA, US