Swarms of yogis may be in downward dog or child’s pose in Santa Rosa’s Courthouse Square Friday, but they’ll all be stretching for funding for the Redwood Empire Food Bank.
The inaugural event hosted by YogaSix will celebrate International Yoga Day and embrace the day’s theme of “humanity” by supporting the food bank’s commitment to feeding kids during the summer.
Live music, food vendors and shopping will fill the downtown square from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The idea to partner with the food bank came after a student at the yoga studio — who also works at the food bank — asked the YogaSix leaders to participate in the food donation site’s company wellness day.
“After talking to her at Redwood Food Bank, we realized there is a bigger need for food during the summer when kids are out of school,” said Liz Pires, YogaSix Santa Rosa owner.
The food bank has long supported meals for students during the summer when free school day meals are no longer accessible.
“Everything we do is reliant on the community — (aside) from corporate donors and us writing a lot of grants,” said Rachelle Mesheau, the food bank’s marketing and public relations manager. “These kind of events allows us to tap into an audience that’s never really heard of us.”
Organizers hope to raise $5,000 for the food bank through donations at the event.
Attendees will also be able to make food donations; a donation of any kind will enter attendees into a series of raffles, allow participation in day-of yoga classes and a free class at the YogaSix studio.
At least 95% of all donations will go directly into the Redwood Empire Food Bank’s programs, including ongoing support for distribution sites and the dedicated summer lunch program for Sonoma County children.
“It is obviously on the top of minds, as kids are out of school and not getting the meals they would normally get while in school,” Mesheau said. “We also have over 300 distribution sites across the county and that’s another way for parents to get additional food to support their families.”
Donations can be made at the event, or online. Food donations can be made at YogaSix’s Santa Rosa location at 368 Coddingtown Center.
“Any kind of donation will enter them to part in the raffle to win one of 15 raffle items — were trying to get people to come out and give back,” Pires said.
Most participating vendors donated one item to be raffled off. The biggest prize is a six-month pass for unlimited classes at YogaSix, a $1,076 value.
The event ramps up with the Solstice Solute to the Sun, a large-scale yoga class that celebrates the summer solstice, which was Thursday.
“We’re looking forward to hopefully getting a lot of people out to have some fun while helping support a good cause,” Pires said.
Report For America corps member Adriana Gutierrez covers education and child welfare issues for The Press Democrat. You can reach her at Adriana.Gutierrez@pressdemocrat.com.
