Spirit and Service: Chico couple dedicated to True North mission, support of Howard Slater Navigation Center
Volunteers Clark and Linda Davis embody the spirit of volunteerism and serving the community
For two and a half years and counting, 30 individuals with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Chico have been volunteering and serving meals at the Torres Shelter. Pictured here are most of the volunteers from that group.
In honor of National Volunteer month, we want to highlight the efforts of Clark and Linda Davis, two of our amazing volunteers at True North who have also joined the cause to build the Howard Slater Navigation Center.
Clark and Linda Davis have been a source of support and dependability for us at True North for many years. When we were in dire need of volunteers to help serve meals at the Torres Shelter, Clark and Linda spread the word within their network at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They had all 10 shifts covered in less than 24 hours.
Since then, the Davises have helped serve meals and coordinate volunteers for dinners. They prepare and serve 7 dinners every month at the Torres Shelter. It is such a beloved occasion that for nearly 3 years the same volunteers have remained committed!
The Davises have also organized multiple Church drives to provide hygiene kits for shelter guests, and they deliver bread to the shelter every week, sourced from partnering organization 530 Food Rescue.
The couple fondly remembers being involved with the delivery of multiple semi-trucks'-worth of food from Salt Lake City, Utah to several local organizations, including True North. We're grateful for the continued support of the Church via a grant that allows us to provide food items and other commodities to our guests! The Church has also provided support for the Navigation Center.
In addition to their support of True North and contribution to the Howard Slater Navigation Center, Clark and Linda also support several other local organizations and causes, including Chico Housing Action Team, the Chico Food Project, and The Catholic Ladies Relief Society #3 (which operates the Chico Food Locker). They also have taught financial preparedness courses at The Esplanade House and helped with a backpack drive for foster youth.
“As members of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it’s part of what we do. We try to reach out and assist the ones that need help because that’s what the Savior would do. And there but for the grace of family and God go us,” Clark said.
Linda added: “These people, most don’t have a family to fall back on, and it’s sad. True North is doing excellent work. We believe in what they are doing, they’re easy to work with, and their service really works with other people and organizations. It’s not me against you, it’s how do all of us help?”
Clark and Linda Davis are true ambassadors of True North and our mission. They are dedicated and invested in our cause and in our community. We are so grateful for their support and all of the ways they advocate for us and our critical services! It is the support of community members like the Davises that make our life-saving work possible.
We are currently fundraising to build the Howard Slater Navigation Center and have raised over $2 million of our $2.5 million capital campaign goal. This groundbreaking center will empower us to serve approximately 90% of the known unhoused population in Butte County annually and house over 250 people per year by focusing on homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing and early intervention services to stop the cycle of homelessness before it begins!
We are seeking additional community support to fully fund the Howard Slater Navigation Center via donations and ambassadors who are interested in hosting events to support the Navigation Center. For more information about becoming an ambassador and to donate go to our Navigation Center webpage.
Clark and Linda Davis stop by the Torres Shelter with one of their weekly donation deliveries from 530 Food Rescue.