News & Events
We invite our caring community of donors, including corporations, service clubs and foundations to support one or both of our annual events that build and strengthen our community.
Events
4th of July Parade
Join us at Novato's 2025 July 4th Parade! This year, we have two fun ways to participate. Bring your whole family to walk in the parade with us as we connect with our vibrant community. Prefer to watch? Start your day at the Buckaroo Breakfast, hosted by the Presbyterian Church of Novato - this year's proceeds will benefit the NMCS Food Pantry! The breakfast is from 7am-10am in the downtown Redwood Credit Union parking lot.
Sign up to walk with us!
Holiday Share & Toy Drive
Thanks to the generosity of our community, we were able to distribute toys and gifts to 383 youth, at our 2024 Holiday Share & Toy Drive! Join us to make holiday wishes come true this December - check our website in November for our 2025 wish lists!
Learn more
Brunch, Bubbles & Bocce!
Our 3rd annual Brunch, Bubbles and Bocce event on May 17, 2025, was a sold-out voyage - and thanks to the incredible folks aboard, we met our fundraising goal! We are grateful to our generous sponsors and donors who help ensure people in our community have access to critical resources that strengthen families and help individuals build a brighter future.
Brunch, Bubbles & Bocce!
News
E-Newsletter
For more stories about the NMCS community, read our e-newsletter. You can sign up to receive e-news at the bottom of this page.
E-Newsletters
A Call for Tenant Protections
The housing crisis has underscored the urgent need for stronger tenant protections. Thank you to the Marin Independent Journal for highlighting the letter we coauthored with Legal Aid of Marin, Community Action Marin, and Canal Alliance, urging the City of Novato to take action.
Read the article
City Red-Tags Apartment Building Due to Unsafe Conditions
In partnership with the City of Novato, NMCS serves as a lead nonprofit in the 6 Romar Court 14-unit apartment building displacement due to unsafe living conditions. To help ease the burden on displaced residents, we are coordinating funding to provide one to two weeks of no-cost hotel accommodations at The Residence Inn, Novato.
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40 Under 40 Award to Latine Programs Director Maria Jaramillo-Botero
Congratulations to NMCS Latine Programs Director Maria Jaramillo-Botero for her Forty Under 40 award from North Bay Business Journal! Maria has led NMCS’s Latine Programs for the past three years, overseeing Promotores, Newcomers, and Climate Action. She has made significant strides in supporting and empowering Latine communities through culturally responsive services, removing stigma, and increasing access to mental health services.
Learn more about Maria's impact!
Marin’s Housing Crisis, Policy Solutions
We’re in a housing crisis and appreciate SFGATE and all community partners for lifting up housing solutions. This article highlights the Rooted in Marin community meetings organized by Community Action Marin as well as solutions identified in the report.
Read the article
California food banks brace for funding cuts
We are grateful to the Marin Independent Journal for shedding light on the urgent issue of potential funding cuts to food pantries—and the serious impact this could have on families in our community. The article features an interview with North Marin Community Services CEO Cheryl Paddack, who discusses how these challenges are affecting our local food pantry and the increasing need for support.
Read the article
Marin Organizations Gird for Federal Funding Freeze
North Marin Community Services was included in the Marin Independent Journal's reporting on how a federal funding freeze could greatly impact the critical work of local organizations. Read the article to hear from NMCS Chief Executive Officer Cheryl Paddack.
Read the article
NMCS a ‘Best Place to Work’ for fourth year
We were named one of the North Bay Business Journal’s Best Places to Work for the fourth year in a row! We are grateful for our team of 65 experienced and dedicated staff who help us create an inclusive and diverse workplace.
See the full list here
Best of the County 2024
North Marin Community Services received two Best of the County recognitions for the second year in a row! We were honored to be named a best food insecurity nonprofit and a best community service organization by Marin Magazine.
Marin Magazine
Grand Marshal of the Parade
North Marin Community Services CEO Cheryl Paddack was honored to be the Grand Marshal of the 2024 Novato 4th of July Parade! “Cheryl surpasses her job description as CEO,” said Parade Chair Jennifer Goldfinger. “She lives and breathes being a compassionate, accepting, supportive person to everyone she meets regardless of who they are.” Follow the link to read more.
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‘Stretching every dollar’
The need for food pantries is still strong. NMCS CEO Cheryl Paddack shares, “A lot of people who are turning to us have unexpected expenses in the household or job layoffs or people who can’t work due to illness.” Learn more in this Marin Independent Journal article.
Read the story
Holiday Share makes 485 wishes come true!
We’re deeply grateful to our generous and caring community for helping make 485 children’s holiday wishes come true! Follow the ABC7 News link below to see our 51st annual Holiday Share and Toy Drive in action and learn about its impact on local families.
See the magic in action on ABC7
‘Winter is already here’
Our Food Pantry and climate action work were featured on ABC's Building a Better Bay Area segment. Visit the link below to learn more about our work in partnership with the Rising Sun Center for Opportunity and Marin County Sustainability Team.
Watch the story
Alaine Kalder receives HR Professional Award
HR Manager Alaine Kalder received a 2023 Human Resources Professional Award from the North Bay Business Journal! Learn more about Alaine and her expertise at the link below.
Read more here
NMCS Receives Diversity Award
North Marin Community Services was honored to be recognized with a Diversity in Business Award from the North Bay Business Journal!
Learn more
Berta Campos-Anicetti Retires
Berta Campos-Anicetti, Co-Director of Latine Programs, is retiring from NMCS after 24 years. We thank Berta for her exemplary service in Novato and across Marin County. She is a passionate advocate for immigrants, and has ensured equity, diversity, and inclusion are prioritized within private and public sectors. Her advocacy, education, and action-oriented approach to community collaboration have helped to build lasting bridges between government and community. In honor of her retirement, Berta received a proclamation from the City of Novato and a resolution from the County of Marin Board of Supervisors.
Learn more about Berta
Best of the County
North Marin Community Services was named a best food insecurity nonprofit and a best community service organization in Marin Magazine's Best of the County!
Marin Magazine
40 Under 40 Award to Child Development Program Director Emily Bugos
Emily Bugos was recognized by the North Bay Business Journal with a 40 Under 40 Award! Emily leads our Child Development team of 22 staff. She is passionate about helping people understand that childcare is valuable, complex, economically necessary, and respectable work deserving of professional recognition and professional wages.
Hear from Emily
CEO Cheryl Paddack to YWCA Marin Women’s Hall of Fame
Learn more about CEO Cheryl Paddack's commitment to leading work in social change and her induction into the YWCA Marin Women’s Hall of Fame here.
Cheryl's Story
Marin food security remains tenuous
Despite the easing of the pandemic, food insecurity remains high in Marin. The pandemic and inflation continue to fuel a need for food assistance in our community. Learn about our partner San Francisco-Marin Food Bank and hear from North Marin Community Services CEO Cheryl Paddack in this article in the Marin IJ.
Read the article
337,000 lbs of food to people in need!
Thank you to our volunteers, staff, donors, and partners (San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, ExtraFood.org) that make it possible for people to have warm, healthy meals through the holidays.
Read the article here
Latino Business Leadership Award
Isaura Resendiz, our Intensive Care Coordination Manager, is a recipient of North Bay Business Journal’s 2022 Latino Business Leadership Award. Isaura oversees our Amigos de la Familia, School Works Initiative, and Thriving Families Initiative programs. She is an expert at building trust, connecting families to human services and resources, and fostering relationships with colleagues and partner organizations. In her 23 years at NMCS, she has provided case management services to over 2,500 local families.
Read more here
Marin Voice: State-funded Novato High program helps ID mental health support needs
In this Marin Voice commentary, NMCS Wellness Care Navigator Christina Tejada and Peer Health Promoter Jessica Mendieta talk about the importance of culturally and linguistically appropriate wellness services at high school campuses.
Read the Commentary
Women of Vision
CEO Cheryl Paddack was honored by Soroptimist International of Novato as a Woman of Vision in April.
Read about the 11 honorees
“Struggling to Survive”
Inflation is making it challenging for families to make ends meet. This Marin IJ article highlights the impacts of NMCS’ weekly Tuesday food pantry.
Read the Article
Marin IJ Highlights NMCS’ 50 Years of Service
"When Jessica Real moved from Mexico to Marin, she was pregnant and living on one income. Then she and her husband were offered a lifeline -- help with rent and 'everything' for their apartment, from furniture to cooking utensils." Thank you to the Marin Independent Journal for lifting up our mission of service to families such as Jessica's. We are honored to deliver our services every day and walk alongside people in our community.
Read the Article
NMCS honored with two Heart of Marin awards
NMCS was honored to be chosen for Achievement in Nonprofit Excellence at the 29th annual CVNL Heart of Marin awards, which recognizes the achievements and contributions of many of our community's nonprofits and volunteers. Additionally, NMCS Peer Health Promoter volunteer, Lizbeth Mendieta-Alvarado, received a Youth Volunteer of the Year Award! Congratulations to all those nominated and recognized.
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