Again this year, vineyard workers returning from a long day’s harvest will find a place to sleep and something to eat thanks to the combined forces of a number of Sonoma organizations. The camp, just one this year rather than the usual two, has been set up at St. Leo’s Catholic Church on Agua Caliente Road for the past three weeks.
Many of the camp’s occupants are young and many are returnees, coming back year after year. All find a warm welcome, unheard of in other parts of the country where they go to harvest fruit and vegetables.
“The feedback we get from the men is that they are treated poorly in other places where they are hired to work,” said Stephen Dale, executive director of La Luz. “But there’s a real comfort zone for them here. They feel welcome and well treated.”
Elizabeth Kemp, Sonoma’s 2009 Alcaldesa couldn’t agree more. For years, Kemp, who is also known as the “burrito lady,” has been part of the Brown Baggers, an all-volunteer organization that puts 10,000 bag lunches on the streets of Sonoma each year. Co-mingling resources, the Brown Baggers also ramp up production to provide a burrito each day for the vineyard workers as well as cook for the camp two nights a week. All the cooking is done at St. Leo’s and includes a nutritious dinner with protein, a piece of fruit and always a sweet treat of some sort.
“We get homemade cookies that people drop off and cupcakes, too. Sometimes the food bank will supply us with food,” said Kemp. “It is tremendously rewarding, the work that we do.”
And if the waiting list for this year’s camp is any indication, the men appreciate the efforts. The camp at St. Leo’s can accommodate 40 workers. However, in years’ past, the additional camp on Eighth Street East could house almost that many more. According to Dale the lack of funding brought about the housing reduction; a concern from their standpoint as well as that of the wine industry as a whole.
Mario Castillo is the Vineyard Worker Services program director for La Luz. He said the camp is stretched to its limit and had to turn away 35 workers. While the men can’t be housed in the camp, Castillo sees to it that they receive emergency resources like sleeping bags, personal hygiene items and food – basic necessities that help ease the situation just a bit.
“The bulk of our funding comes from local wineries. We also have some partnerships we’ve developed and get private donations that help us stay afloat,” said Castillo, “But with this economy, we’re struggling.”
The camp opened in early August with the picking of the first of the sparkling wine grapes out at Gloria Ferrer. It will remain open until late October or the first weeks of November. During that time, dozens of Valley volunteers and organizations will make sure the men are well cared for. A barbeque to celebrate the camp will be held on Thursday, Sept. 10 at St. Leo’s from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event is open to the public but requires an RSVP so Kemp can prepare food accordingly.
“These men understand what the volunteers bring to the camp,” said Kemp. “And even though my only Spanish word is ‘Hola,’ they know how to communicate their appreciation.”
To RSVP for the BBQ on Sept. 10, call Elizabeth Kemp at 707.996.6669.
