A direct ask for some community support.


I want to share the story of Melissa, someone who has been quietly making a huge impact in our community. For over ten years, she has hosted a salmon hub in the East Bay, providing a gathering place for people who care about high-quality, sustainable food. She’s also opened her home as a pickup point for wild-foraged mushrooms.
But beyond that, Melissa has taken on a role far greater than just a host—she’s welcomed two special young people into her home and family.
Opening Her Heart & Home
Melissa, the mother of two young children, met J. when he was 10 years old. Over the years they became very close and she stepped in to help with some of the traditional “mom jobs” like going to school events, taking him to the doctor, going shopping, spending special time together. J. became an important part of their family joining them on camping trips and other holidays. He is now the first in his family to go to college.
This past summer, his good friend, reached out because he needed support. Melissa had known him from J.’s birthday parties and basketball games. Knowing there were no safe alternatives for him and that he was really trying hard to get his life together, she decided to let him live with them while he attends college in Oakland (he is also first generation!).
At the same time, she’s caring for her aging mother—all while juggling the responsibilities of her own family and working.
The True Cost of Kindness
Melissa is not just providing shelter– there’s structure, support, love, humor, meals, relationship building, life skills, trying to talk about race/class/privilege issues that come up, trying to balance everything. It’s ALOT and at times she’s in over her head and at other times she wouldn’t change a thing. She reminds herself at some point the kids will all be out of the house and it will be too quiet and boring and she’ll miss them.
In the meantime, she could really use a hand with outsourcing a few things. I offered to see if I could help with food and meals since that’s one of my passions and have a customer base that is community orientated.
How You Can Help—At No Cost to You
There’s an easy way to support Melissa while also getting something great for yourself: Sign up for Good Eggs.
Good Eggs is a high-quality grocery delivery service, bringing farm-fresh food straight to your door. And right now, if you sign up:
You get $45 off your first order
After you spend that $45, Melissa gets a grocery credit to help feed her family and the teens she’s supporting
Here’s how to help:
Click this link.
Place your first order
Melissa gets a grocery credit, at no cost to you
Melissa has already changed the trajectory of these two young men's lives. Let’s support her, so she can continue doing what she does best—giving love, stability, and a future to those who need it most.
Can you take two minutes to sign up and make a difference?
If you already have Good Eggs you can always just connect with Melissa directly through Venmo - @Melissa-ober
We played with the idea of a GoFundMe but the boys are a little bit shy about a direct ask... so we are directing things to Melissa for groceries for now. We'll let you know if things shift.
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