About

Even before the Covid pandemic, Bethania and its members made it their mission to feed our community.  From brown bag lunches for seniors, to healthy vegetables for Bethania’s preschoolers, to the blessing box outside the Church, Bethania had already been filling the gaps in our community when it came to food insecurity. So it was fortunate that by the time the pandemic forced closures across the country, Bethania had already started the process to license its facilities for emergency food distribution.  When it became clear that quarantine and the corresponding job loss and school shutdowns pushed many who were already struggling to feed their families into dire straits, Linda Marzullo and Pastor Chris Brown sprang into action.  Within a week, they had been approved to receive food from the Food Bank of Santa Barbara, which distributes millions of pounds of USDA food annually.In this special “on location” episode, you’ll hear from several volunteers who work with Linda Marzullo, week after week, to feed hundreds of struggling families right here in our community.  You’ll also hear from a few of our friends and neighbors who brave the long line to receive food because times are especially tough this season.  And while the need for food has only increased in recent weeks, so has Bethania and Linda Marzullo’s resolve to meet that need head on.  In the last half of the episode, host Tamara Rowles of SYV Stories sits down with Linda Marzullo to discuss how Bethania feeds up to 1500 people each week with volunteers, community donations, hard work, and compassion.  Also mentioned in this episode: The Food Bank of Santa Barbara, Bob’s Well Bread, El Rancho Market, Atterdag Village, Los Olivos Rotary, Rotary Club of the Santa Ynez Valley, SYV Foundation, and Veggie Rescue.The following businesses have also contributed to Bethania in their food distribution efforts: Olsen's Danish Village Bakery, Solvang Restaurant, Gerda's Iron Art, Birkholm's Bakery, Bert Cohen Foundation, New Frontiers, Wildling Museum.  Thank you for your support!