Since becoming a worker-owner of Arizmendi-Lakeshore in 2002, a special bakery and pizzeria in Oakland, Adrien Sanderson has learned a lot. “Ownership and being immersed in the communities we serve make employees happier and healthier,” she shared.
Arizmendi believes in giving back – and the Contra Costa College (CCC) Foundation has been a lucky recipient of their generosity for nearly ten years. Over a three-month period around the winter holidays, Arizmendi-Lakeshore takes the tips from their donation jar and regifts them to an organization in their community. This annual donation, known as the Arizmendi Fund, is matched by the Arizmendi Cooperative.
Since 2016, Arizmendi has gifted these funds to the Arizmendi Culinary Scholarship at the CCC Foundation. One of the founding members of Arizmendi, Bridget Berrigan, had a son who wanted to attend Culinary Arts school, but was unable to afford it. Bridget worked hard to help her son Nate reach his goal, and it worked: her son is the current owner of The Rendez-Vous restaurant in Oakland.
When Bridget sadly passed away from cancer 10 years ago, Arizmendi-Lakeshore decided to donate their annual Arizmendi Fund to culinary students through Laney College and the Contra Costa College Foundation. Thanks to this, the CCC Foundation gives away $3,000 scholarships to two culinary students each year and has supported over 15 students since the scholarship’s inception.
Arizmendi Bakeries and Pizzerias was founded in 1996, modeled after the Mondragon Cooperatives in the Basque Country of Spain. “Arizmendi” (a name shortened from Jose Maria Arizmendiarrieta) cofounded the Mondragon Cooperatives with the belief that worker ownership and participation in the workplace should be an integral part of a just and democratic society. (Everyone at Arizmendi has the same job title, gets paid the same salary, and has the same benefits including free medical and dental coverage.) All Arizmendi Bakeries and Pizzerias are known for providing delicious, all vegetarian and mostly organic pizzas with special homemade crusts and desserts at an affordable price.
Arizmendi-Lakeshore currently has one worker-owner who graduated from Contra Costa College’s Culinary Department. And they are always accepting applications. “Please encourage your students to come in and pick up an application,” Adrien emphasized.
If ever in Oakland, consider a visit to Arizmendi-Lakeshore at 3265 Lakeshore Avenue – tell them the CCC Foundation sent you! And while enjoying your homemade, delicious treats, thank them for modeling what it means to give back.