The average food price has skyrocketed due to corona virus pandemic and recent events. The FAO Food Price Index has saw a fresh record high of nearly 160 points.
A shocking 60% price increase over the 2014-2016 base period shows that hunger is a public health issue of critical importance.
The most vulnerable demographic of society is taking the brunt of this economic pressure. Now more than ever, low-income families must rely on California Free Clinics, California Food Stamps, and food banks.
This guide will list helpful information about Food Bank in Riverside County, California and organizations that can help curb hunger, how you can use their services and where to find them.
What is a Food Bank?
Food banks are non-profit charitable organizations that assist financially vulnerable populations by distributing food. Their main objectives is to help low-income individual and families by providing food.
They will work through other 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations like food pantries and soup kitchens. Sometimes they distribute the food themselves via mobile pantry.
Food Bank in Riverside County, California serves as a single collection and distribution point for food donations. They operate much like a for-profit food distributor, but they do not use retailers. Instead, they may use church food banks, charities, and other non-profit food pantries to provide food to the people to fight hunger.
How the Food Bank Works?
- 1. Food is donated to a food bank.
- 2. Its stored in a big climate controlled warehouse.
- 3. Food Bank in Riverside County, California distributes food to various non-profits for distribution.
- 4. Food reaches to who are in need.
Who can use Food Banks?
Many Food Bank in Riverside County, California and food pantries are locally run, with others managed at the state or federal level. Qualification to receive nutrition assistance from food programs depends on the type.
There are different qualifying requirements, but many food banks have none. Just show up during their days and times of operation, and they will help if they are able.
Here are the tips while .
- It is highly advisable to call ahead before you arrive!
- Ask about any eligibility or documentation requirements they may have.
- If required, bring all required documents when you use their services.
Second Harvest Food Bank
Second Harvest Food Bank was the first one established in California in 1972 and is the second oldest in the US. It operates multiple distribution centers across the United States.
Impact of Second Harvest Food Bank is huge, It helps 85,000 Santa Cruz residents avoid missing meals and empty stomachs.
Second Harvest Food Bank in Riverside County, California is easing the burden of impossible choices for families between food, housing, medicine, and other necessities.
Second Harvest Food Bank Serving Riverside and San Bernardino Cos.
Second Harvest Food Bank serving Riverside and San Bernardino Counties is a member of the Feeding America national network of food banks (formerly known as America’s Second Harvest). Feeding America is the largest anti-hunger network in the United States and the third largest non-profit in the nation when you include the more than 2 billion pounds of food its food bank members distribute. Altogether, Feeding America serves more than 25 million people in need. As a member of Feeding America, Second Harvest Food Bank is the only non-profit in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties that has continuous access to nationally donated food. We access food from national manufacturers such as Kraft, Del Monte, Kellogg’s, plus more than a thousand other corporations. The food we receive is free. We only have to transport this donated food to our facility in Riverside. The food is valued by an independent auditor at $1.60 per pound. Therefore, for every dollar donated to Second Harvest Food Bank we can distribute over $25.00 worth of food to our communities.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (951) 359-4757 to book your appointment.
Address :
2950 B Jefferson St,
Riverside, CA 92504.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Riverside
Help Residents of Counties:
- Riverside
St. Mary's Food Bank
The St. Mary's Food Bank was a first local food bank ever established in the United States in 1967. The St. Mary's Food Bank mission is food security and hunger relief for all Americans.
The St. Mary's distributes millions of pounds of food to the hungry each year, It also operates its own food pantries to allow allow people to access food directly from their warehouses.
It also offer specialized after-school programs for kids and career training for adults.
Church Food Bank Food Bank in Riverside County, California
Church Food Bank Food Bank in Riverside County, California serve a hot, nutritious lunch 365 days a year, even in the face of terrible weather and ever-increasing demand.
Church Food Bank welcome anyone who is in need of a meal, regardless of the person's circumstance, with no questions asked. It also provide showers, laundry, mail, I.D. assistance and other essential services.
Greater Works Church - Compassion Community Outreach Food Bank
Free groceries! Open the 1st Saturday of the Month from 10 am – 12 noon; 3rd Sunday of every month from 1pm - 2 pm
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (951) 600-2619 to book your appointment.
Address :
25823 Jefferson Ave,
Murrieta, CA 92562.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Murrieta
Help Residents of Counties:
- Riverside
Feeding America
John van Hengel, the founder of St. Mary's Food Bank, went on to create a national organization for food banks. The Feeding America organization is a leader in the nation's domestic hunger-relief efforts.
The Coronavirus epidemic put even more pressure on America's most vulnerable citizens. Feeding America has helped serve 6.6 billion meals to date.
The Feeding America have grown through donations and other charitable efforts to be able to deliver much-needed food via food rescue, hunger relief programs, and disaster response.
FIND Food Bank
FIND is “Food In Need of Distribution,†which is the formal name under which we were incorporated. We operate as FIND Food Bank — the Coachella Valley’s only food bank — and the area’s hub for information and action related to hunger and food insecurity.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (760) 775-3663 to book your appointment.
Address :
83775 Citrus Ave,
Indio, CA 92201.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Indio
Help Residents of Counties:
- Riverside
God's Helping Hand Food Banks - Moreno Valley
God's Helping Hand Food Banks were established in 1985. Sam Grigsby administrates our four food banks located throughout Riverside County. GHH Food Banks are a place for people to go when they need a "helping hand" with food. We provide for appoximately 150 families each week. With willing hearts and cheerful smiles we not only give out food, but share the love of Jesus Christ with people in our local communities. During our Thanksgiving season we give out even more food to those in need. Hours: Thursdays 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (951) 973-3582 to book your appointment.
Address :
13958 Old 215 Frontage Rd,
Moreno Valley, CA 92553.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Moreno Valley
Help Residents of Counties:
- Riverside
Free Indeed Christian Fellowship - Friday Food Bank
Free Indeed discipleship ranch, and Free Indeed Christian Fellowship has offered a free food give away for many years now. This ministry has grown steadily over the years to an average current attendance of 45 families a week, with a family average of 5 that gives an average of 225 people fed through this ministry a week. What an awesome blessing this has been. Every Friday people start getting in line at the corner of 5th and "D" street in Perris to attend at 8-8:30am in order to be there for the event which starts at 9am. Food lines are getting longer due to the economy, so early arrival is recommended. We cannot possibly list what food will be given at any certain giveaway due to the fact that the products vary every week. Rarely the food giveaway is canceled due to no food availability, but notice will be posted at the site if that happens.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (951) 943-5159 to book your appointment.
Address :
430 S D St,
Perris, CA 92570.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Perris
Help Residents of Counties:
- Riverside
The NestEggg Food Bank at The Center
The NestEggg Food Bank is a flagship initiative of The Center that provides nutritional assistance for seniors and people with disabilities. Every Thursday evening all year long, we host a clean, safe and accessible Food Bank that provides FREE groceries for up to 275 households each week. Since 2008, the Food Bank at the Center has been providing fresh produce, baked goods, meat, canned goods, dairy and more to low-income Riverside County residents 55 years of age or older, and individuals who receive disability benefits, regardless of their age. Proof of residency in Riverside County and verification of disability benefits are required and all are welcome if they meet these basic requirements. The distribution of food happens every Thursday at 610 S. Belardo Rd. (Seniors starting at 6pm and People with Disabilities after Seniors have been served). If this is your first visit, bring a photo ID showing your Riverside County residency and verification of disability payments, if applicable, and proceed to the registration table to the right by the outside front door at 6:00 pm. Because we can only provide this service to a limited number of people each week, please contact The Center to see if we are taking new Food Bank Clients. The Program is limited to serving only 14,300 households a year, and is often at capacity. In working to reduce and eliminate hunger for these families, we’re building advocacy networks that are addressing this issue, not only in the LGBT community, but county-wide. The NestEggg Food Bank at The Center is so named in recognition of a substantial contribution from the NestEggg Group, LLC. The NestEggg Food Bank at The Center also receives support from The City of Rancho Mirage, The City of Palm Springs, FIND Food Bank, The Palm Springs Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, The Jewish Federation of the Desert, The Desert Regional Medical Center Auxiliary, Hidden Harvest, Desert Healthcare District, The Riverside County Foundation on Aging, and Supervisor John Benoit as well as individual contributions from members and local business owners.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (760) 416-7790 to book your appointment.
Address :
610 S Belardo Rd,
Palm Springs, CA 92264.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Palm Springs
Help Residents of Counties:
- Riverside
God's Helping Hand Food Banks - Perris/Homeland/Romoland
God's Helping Hand Food Banks were established in 1985. Sam Grigsby administrates our four food banks located throughout Riverside County. GHH Food Banks are a place for people to go when they need a "helping hand" with food. We provide for appoximately 150 families each week. With willing hearts and cheerful smiles we not only give out food, but share the love of Jesus Christ with people in our local communities. During our Thanksgiving season we give out even more food to those in need. Hours: Tuesdays 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (951) 973-3582 to book your appointment.
Address :
21382 Harvill Rd # 10,
Perris, CA 92570.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Perris
Help Residents of Counties:
- Riverside
God's Helping Hand Food Banks - Menifee
God's Helping Hand Food Banks were established in 1985. Sam Grigsby administrates our four food banks located throughout Riverside County. GHH Food Banks are a place for people to go when they need a "helping hand" with food. We provide for appoximately 150 families each week. With willing hearts and cheerful smiles we not only give out food, but share the love of Jesus Christ with people in our local communities. During our Thanksgiving season we give out even more food to those in need. Hours: Wednesdays 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (951) 973-3582 to book your appointment.
Address :
28125 Bradley Rd Ste 130A,
Menifee, CA 92586.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Menifee
Help Residents of Counties:
- Riverside
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federally run program that helps obtain badly needed food for low-income people and families. SNAP program is also known as Food Stamp.
SNAP benefits in Riverside County supplied approximately 40 million Americans in 2018. It is the most extensive nutrition program administered by Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and is a vital component of the social safety net for low-income Americans.
In 2017, roughly 9.2% of American households obtained SNAP benefits, with about 16.7% of all children living in homes benefiting.
The program had used paper "stamps" or coupons in the past – worth $1 (brown), $5 (blue), and $10 (green). These were bound into small booklets of various denominations, to be torn out individually and used in single-use exchanges.
Free Food Programs Summary
| Acronym | Name | For Moms & Kids | For Seniors | For Food Bank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SNAP | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program | Yes | Yes | No |
| TEFAP | The Emergency Food Assistance Program | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CSFP | The Commodity Supplemental Food Program | No | Yes | Yes |
| CACFP | The Child and Adult Care Food Program | Yes | Yes | No |
| NSLP | The National School Lunch Program | Yes | No | No |
| SBP | The School Breakfast Program | Yes | No | No |
| SFSP | The Summer Food Service Program | Yes | No | No |
| WIC | Women, Infants, and Children | Yes | No | No |
FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?
Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.
2. What kind of food is at a food Bank?
Specifically, Riverside County food banks often need items like:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. How do you qualify for Riverside County food bank assistance?
To qualify for food bank assistance you must provide:
- Current state-issued ID
- Social Security numbers of all household members
- Current electric bill to prove residence
- Bank Statement for income verification