GREY BEARS
OurMission
Grey Bears improves the health and wellbeing of seniors and our community through food and meal deliveries, volunteerism, resource conservation and recycling.
OurVision
All seniors live healthy, meaningful lives.
Our Values
Respect individuals
Trust, integrity, diversity and compassion
Volunteerism and community service
Acknowledge and respond to the challenges of aging and living with disabilities
Advance sustainability via reusing, repairing, repurposing and recycling
Grey Bears Board of Directors
Betsey Lynberg (Chair)
Leslie O’Malley (Vice Chair)
Thomas Parker (Treasurer)
Kathy Hormel (Secretary)
Richard Beach
Adeline Davis
John Presleigh
Satish Rishi
Michael Watkins
Judith Levin
Marshall Delk
Jacob Guth
A Year of Growth
Reflecting on the past year, I am in awe of all that Grey Bears has accomplished. Thanks to your support and the dedication of our volunteers, we’ve sustainably nourished and connected thousands of seniors throughout Santa Cruz County.
This year, Grey Bears served over 58,000 meals and delivered 197,000 bags of fresh produce and pantry staples through our Healthy Food Program. Every meal and Healthy Food Bag reflects our promise to support the health and well-being of our community, especially seniors, ensuring they feel seen, valued, and nourished.
To expand our reach, we took a bold step forward with the purchase of 2606 Chanticleer Avenue, a new facility that will enable us to meet the needs of a growing senior population in Santa Cruz County. This space is key to offering food, connection, and resources to thousands more seniors in the years ahead.
Grey Bears is also committed to sustainability Through our Food Recovery Program, we diverted nearly 2 million pounds of food from the landfill this year And with 411 tons of recycled materials and over 121,000 thrift store transactions, we’re contributing to a more sustainable economy in Santa Cruz, reducing waste and supporting affordability.
Thank you for embarking on this journey with us to build a Santa Cruz where every senior can belong. Together, we can nourish every senior neighbor.
In Service,
Funding Sources Funding at Work
Healthy Food Program
197,770
23,934
visits to the Grey Bears On-SIte Food Distribution
391,456
8,956
Healthy Food Program: Who We Serve
3 out of 10 Healthy Food Bag Recipients are experiencing a disability
Nourishment at work:
Meet Jane
Jane,onceaHealthyFoodforSeniorsBrownBagrecipient,returnedtoGrey Bearsafterayear-longhealthhiatus,drawnbythefreshproduceandsenseof community OneThursday,asshewaitedforherfooddistribution,Janenoticed thebusybrownbagproductionline.Despiteherphysicallimitations,sheasked howshecouldhelp.Whileshecouldn'tliftthebags,sheofferedhertruck instead
Now,Janeandher“silverfooddeliverytruck”havebecomeafamiliarsight, deliveringfoodweeklytoherseniorfriendsandneighbors Hercommitmentto GreyBearsgoesbeyondvolunteering shealsoparticipatesinthedailyhot mealprogram.
Fouryearsago,Janelostherhusbandof46years "Lifestoppedwhenhedied,” shesaid,ascookingandsharingmealsnolongerfeltthesame Volunteeringat GreyBearsgaveJanearenewedsenseofpurpose Herstoryisapowerful reminderofthehealingfoundincommunityandthejoyofgivingback.
Resource Recovery
Recycled Material in 2023-2024
121,345
Thrift store transactions diverting items from the landfill to loving homes
This helps expand the life of items that would otherwise be placed in the landfills. We are not only keeping items from polluting the planet by being in the landfills, but also extending the life of the landfills itself as well.
AtGreyBears,theimpactofourbookstorevolunteers Mary,Frida,Melissa,andJoan isfeltdeeplythroughoutthecommunity.Thebookstorehasbecomemorethana placetofindbooks;itisawarmandwelcominghavenwherepeoplefeelathome andcaredfor
Theteamsharesastrongcamaraderie,findingjoyinworkingtogetherand supportingeachother'sgrowthwhilemakingmeaningfulconnectionswiththe community.Mary,celebratingher90thbirthday,staysactivethroughherserviceat GreyBears,whileFridaandtheteamfindfulfillmentintheimpacttheycreate throughthebookstore.MaryandFrida,long-timefriends,havedeepenedtheir bondthroughtheirvolunteerwork abondthatmightnothavedevelopedas deeplywithouttheirsharedexperiencesvolunteeringatGreyBears..
TheirdedicationembodiesthespiritofGreyBears,makingitaplacewhere kindnessandconnectionthrive.Throughtheirwork,theyhelpfosterasenseof community,offeringcomfortandsupporttothoseinneedandcreatinglasting positivechangeinthelivesofvisitors.
Remindingusofthepowerofcommunityandthehappinessthatcomesfrom givingback.Weareimmenselygratefulfortheircommitment,whichplaysacrucial roleinenhancingthequalityoflifeforseniorsandenrichingtheentirecommunity
Social Connection
FosteringadiverseandcaringcommunitythatsupportsoneanotherisintegraltoGreyBears’mission, values,andimpactonthelivesofthoseweserve.Regularsocialinteractionisessentialforseniors,asit fostersbelongingandpurpose,reduceslonelinessanddepression,andpromotesmental,physical,and emotionalhealth,leadingtoahealthier,morebalancedlife.
Maintainingsocialconnectionscanbeachallengeforseniors,whichiswhyGreyBearsorganizesarange ofactivitiesandeventsdesignedtofosterengagementandcommunity Throughinitiativessuchasour SeniorNightOutevents,diversevolunteeropportunities,andcommunallunches,wecreatevaluable experiencesthatbringpeopletogetherandstrengthentheirsocialrelations
Seniors Night Out
This year, Grey Bears began a new program focused on rekindling connection in our post-pandemic world. Seniors Night Out is a monthly event series to bring our community together through a variety of activities that encourage connection Attendees may find themselves at a date night, creating art together, playing their favorite games, making tie-dye shirts, learning to sew, or participating in health panels designed to promote healthier aging all while enjoying meaningful connections and engagement.
Community in Action: Grey Bears Volunteers
At Grey Bears, we offer over 20 different volunteer opportunities that not only provide a sense of purpose through meaningful community impact but also connect individuals to a compassionate network of people who love giving back.
Donated Volunteer Hours by Opportunity
72,410
2,168,679 759 Volunteers Donated Hours
Value of Donated Time
