Working in law enforcement can sometimes be a thankless job.
But that changed on Sunday when Stephens Farmhouse in Yuba City handed out hundreds of its famous pies to all law enforcement personnel across Yuba, Sutter and Colusa counties.
The idea for the pie giveaway came from Jeff Stephens, who worked as a volunteer for the Trauma Intervention Program for four years. As a volunteer, he witnessed the professionalism of first responders, and thought it would be a nice gesture of support for local law enforcement to give every member a pie.
The giveaway, held last year, saw 675 pies being given out to law enforcement in Yuba and Sutter counties. This year, based on the overwhelming support for last year’s event, the giveaway expanded to include Colusa County personnel.
At least 836 pies were given out on Sunday at the event, held at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Yuba City.
“(Stephens Farmhouse) supporting the community for two years is amazing,” said Janice Grant of the Sutter County Sheriff’s Department. “It creates awareness that the public does support law enforcement.”
Grant said she picked up a Dutch olallieberry pie because “it’s unique, and it’s the most popular one in the department.”
Stephens Farmhouse offered three other choices in pies: Dutch apple, walnut and pumpkin.
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A short program highlighted the event, with Assemblyman James Gallagher, Yuba City Vice Mayor Preet Didbal and Sutter County District Attorney Amanda Hopper discussing the importance of law enforcement to the community.
“It doesn’t get said enough how important all of you are to us,” Gallagher said. “We’re safer because of the job law enforcement does. … From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being here today.”
“This has been a beautiful event from day one,” Didbal said. “This is a small token for what you do.”
“I was so excited this event could be held around Christmastime, because there isn’t a single member of law enforcement who hasn’t missed a Christmas because they were sacrificing for us,” Hopper said. “You are the unsung heroes and we are forever grateful.”
Members of the community sponsored each pie for $10, which covered the cost of making the pie. All leftover funds were donated to Restoration Railroad, an organization working to help survivors of human trafficking.
The leftover funds from the pie event totaled $7,500, which Jeff Stephens presented to Meredith Curry, founder of Restoration Railroad, in the form of a giant check at the end of the program.
“It really means so much to us (to do this),” Jeff Stephens said.