Ruth Hansen

Written by Belva Seaberry

Cooking for herself can be a chore, but Ruth Hansen, an RSVP volunteer, doesn’t mind at all cooking for a crowd. Twice a month, you’ll find her in the kitchen at Casa Garden Restaurant, preparing lunches for patrons who have discovered this very special place.

The popular restaurant (2760 Sutterville Rd,) surrounded by beautiful gardens on the grounds of the Sacramento Children’s Home, was established to generate financial support to the Home, which has provided services to troubled families and children since 1867. All profits from the restaurant, plus all the tips, benefit the Home. Ruth has been part of the Casa’s volunteer staff for 29 years and, besides cooking, duties can include waiting tables, serving wine and beer, cashiering, arranging flowers, etc.

The Casa atmosphere is one of comfortable and friendly elegance with garden views from every window, as well as terrace seating. It is open for weekday lunches and it is best to call (452-2809) for a reservation. Special reserved events might be breakfasts, weddings, receptions etc. Ruth says Casa Garden is always looking for volunteers (men, too!) in all capacities and for all operating hours, especially on the weekends. 

Always keeping busy, Ruth has discovered other fascinating activities. She has volunteered for the California Senior Legislature, a nonpartisan, volunteer organization of 120 elected seniors from around the state that meet and decide on senior issues to be taken to the regular legislature. She also has served as a juror at McGeorge Law School’s mock trials held twice a year, helped at City Hall from January through March with the Utility Tax Rebate Program, served breakfast to homeless woman and children at Maryhouse Shelter, and worked at one of the American Cancer Society’s Discovery Shops.

A San Francisco native, Ruth studied library science in college and served as an aviation librarian stateside during WWII in the Navy WAVES. Later, she married, had 4 children and now greatly enjoys her 5 grandsons and 2 great-grandsons. She travels a great deal but finds a way to keep volunteering because, she says, “It keeps me busy and my mind active. I meet so many nice people, and over the years I have made many good friends.”