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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento County, California is easing the burden of impossible choices for families between food, housing, medicine, and other necessities.
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 Sacramento County, California
Church Food Bank Food Bank in Sacramento 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.
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.
Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services
Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services is a local, non-profit agency committed to serving individuals and families in need. Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services is dedicated to assisting those in need by alleviating their immediate pain and problems and moving them toward self-sufficiency and financial independence.
Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services' Produce for All program provides free produce to low income individuals and families. SFBFS distributes fresh fruits and vegetables directly in under served, food deserts. SFBFS partners with community organizations such as health clinics, schools and resource centers to provide fresh produce and awareness to local resources available throughout the community. The program's goal uses free produce to incentivize families to access other local resources to reach self-sufficiency.
SFBFS distributes produce in a high-need area that offers little to no access to fresh produce. Locations are selected in proximity to community resource centers such as health clinics. Local organizations with helpful resources attend each distribution to provide information and referrals Partnering organizations assist with the publicity and encourage community engagement
Our Produce for All program provides fresh produce to individuals and families throughout Sacramento county.
We distribute several different types of bagged fruits & vegetables directly from our truck.
There is no proof of address or income requirement – all are welcome!
For more information, please call Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services' Food Hotline at (916) 313-7606
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 to book your appointment.
Address :
7215 55th St,
Sacramento, CA 95823.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: Closed
- Wed: Closed
- Thurs: 10:00 AM - 11:45 AM
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Sacramento
River City Food Bank
Assistance with the food budget helps clients avoid a downward economic spiral. Our help allows clients to meet basic living expenses such as rent, utility bills and transportation costs.
A family or individual who reports income at or below the poverty line can receive a three-day supply of nutritionally-balanced food up to once a month. Families with small children also receive non-food items such as diapers, baby food and formula.
Documents Required:
-Photo ID
-Medical IDs or birth certificates for all dependent children
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 (916) 446-2627 to book your appointment.
Address :
,
Sacramento, CA 95816.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 11:00 AM - 08:00 PM EST
- Tues: 11:00 AM - 08:00 PM EST
- Wed: 11:00 AM - 08:00 PM EST
- Thurs: 11:00 AM - 08:00 PM EST
- Fri: 11:00 AM - 08:00 PM EST
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Sacramento
Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services
Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services is a local, non-profit agency committed to serving individuals and families in need. With a staff of 40 and a volunteer force of over 5,800, Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services provides free emergency goods and services to 25,000 unduplicated men, women and children each month. Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services provides a 5-day supply of emergency groceries to families in need, three days per week. In an effort to better move families toward self-sufficiency, grocery items such as fresh vegetables and fruit, grains and dairy are distributed instead of hot meals. 22,000 individuals receive an abundance of fresh groceries every month. Our quality groceries come from a variety of sources including donations from local grocery stores, organic farmers and the community. In order for our clients to feel empowered to use the goods they receive, food is distributed in a respectful and dignified manner. Set up like an open-air, farmers' market, individuals and families are invited to see the produce, enjoy samples, take suggested recipe, gather health and nutrition resources and ask questions about the items they are receiving. As with all of our programs, all goods and services are provided at no cost. In an effort to combat many of the health ailments facing families in our community, Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services partners with agencies to distribute health and nutrition information such as managing diabetes and combating obesity.
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 (916) 456-1980 to book your appointment.
Address :
3333 Third Ave,
Sacramento, CA 95817.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Sacramento
Help Residents of Counties:
- Sacramento
Elk Grove Food Bank Services
Elk Grove Food Bank Services (EGFBS) was founded in 1974. Since its inception, the EGFBS has distributed over 4,543,000 meals or approximately 7,522,000 pounds of food within the community. The Food Bank has changed over the years and continues to adapt to the needs of individuals we serve. Our mission is to provide essential resources to overcome the many faces of hunger and human need and remains unchanged. A recognized non-profit leader, the EGFBS is the only food bank serving the community, providing free food, clothing and social services. It originally started from a food closet at a local church by the Elk Grove Ministerial Association. As the region experienced explosive growth, the Food Bank continued to expand its services to keep up with the additional challenges brought on with influx of new residents. Today the Food Bank has seven comprehensive programs and serves 3,300 people each month.
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 (916) 685-8453 to book your appointment.
Address :
9820 Dino Dr Ste 140,
Elk Grove, CA 95624.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Elk Grove
Help Residents of Counties:
- Sacramento
Twin Lakes Food Bank
The mission of the Twin Lakes Food Bank is to share God's love by uniting and mobilizing the community to provide food, clothing and support to those in need. Twin Lakes Food Bank is 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Founded in 1986 with the mission of helping neighbors in need.
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 (916) 985-6232 to book your appointment.
Address :
327 Montrose Dr,
Folsom, CA 95630.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Folsom
Help Residents of Counties:
- Sacramento
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 Sacramento 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, Sacramento 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 Sacramento 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