When Patricia “Patty” Madrigal moved to Novato in early 2020, she was looking for work that aligned with her values. That’s why, when the opportunity to work at the Food Bank came up, she called it “a no-brainer.”
“I attended and volunteered at food pantries growing up,” she recalls. So, joining the Food Bank was a full-circle moment. And that personal connection shapes how she approaches her work five years later.
As a Food Bank Neighborhood Representative (NR) for Novato, San Rafael, and West Marin, Patty works closely with local pantries and community organizations to strengthen food access across the region. And, for this type of work, Patty’s knack for collaboration is key.
“Patty works tirelessly to support her partnerships in Marin,” says Tina Gonzales, Director of Community Partnerships. “She’s built strong relationships by leaning into each partner’s strengths and allowing time for change.”
That trust helped Patty guide two large sites through the switch to the Food Bank’s Pantry Enrollment System (PES), a shared, centralized database that helps manage long lines and makes food pickup smoother. With Patty’s support, both sites kept serving hundreds of households while making the change behind the scenes.
“Patty’s support and willingness to listen helped her co-create the best path forward with those partners,” says Tina.
People are often surprised by just how much Patty manages, supporting pantries across a geographically spread-out and logistically complex region.
“Marin is one of the wealthiest counties in California,” Patty says, “but that masks the truth. There’s severe income inequality, limited affordable housing, and a real struggle to access nutritious food, especially in remote areas.”
That’s why Patty’s work is all about meeting people where they are — literally. She’s helped open and grow pantries at schools, clinics, and other trusted partners in the community. She also works closely with partner staff running day-to-day distributions, offering trainings, helping with food safety, and staying connected to what each site needs.
“Patty is instrumental to the trust and goodwill the Food Bank has built in Marin County,” Tina adds. “She’s a hard worker and a supportive senior program coordinator to the NR team. She’s always positive, dependable, and focused on solutions.”
For Patty, the work is a chance to give back through the very systems that once supported her family, and to make sure others receive the same care and connection.
“The gratitude I hear from our partners and the people we serve keeps me going,” she says. “It means a lot to be part of something that brings real support to the community.”
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