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 Sonoma 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 Sonoma 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 Sonoma 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 Sonoma 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 Sonoma 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 Sonoma County, California
Church Food Bank Food Bank in Sonoma 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.
Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB)
The Redwood Empire Food Bank offers the Diabetes Wellness Program (DWP). DWP gives neighbors facing hunger and suffering from type 2 diabetes, a monthly provision of healthy foods, nutrition education, and connections to community clinics. The program is open to low-income adults (age 18 and above) who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes.
Participants enroll in DWP through a referral from their clinic or doctor’s office and recertify annually. Your doctor must fax, mail or email the referral form in to our office. The participant will be contacted by the REFB to verify availability in the program and determine the best location for pick up, as DWP is offered at 42 locations throughout Sonoma County.
Visit our website to print our Enrollment & Referral Form. Once you complete the Enrollment form either fax it, mail it or email it to our office. Contact us for any further questions.
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 (707) 523-7903ext to book your appointment.
Address :
3990 Brickway Blvd,
Santa Rosa, CA 95403.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 12:00 PM - 08:30 PM EST
- Tues: 12:00 PM - 08:30 PM EST
- Wed: 12:00 PM - 08:30 PM EST
- Thurs: 12:00 PM - 08:30 PM EST
- Fri: 12:00 PM - 08:30 PM EST
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Sonoma
Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB)
Through weekly distributions in high-need neighborhoods, our Produce Pantry provides participants with an average of 20-30 pounds of seasonally sourced fruits and vegetables, supplemented by healthy staple foods. Produce Pantry distributions are open to anyone in need of assistance.
Food is distributed at 26 sites in 10 towns throughout Sonoma County, plus eight locations in Lake County. Visit our website to find a location near you.
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 (707) 523-7903ext to book your appointment.
Address :
,
Los Angeles, CA 90291.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 12:00 PM - 08:30 PM EST
- Tues: 12:00 PM - 08:30 PM EST
- Wed: 12:00 PM - 08:30 PM EST
- Thurs: 12:00 PM - 08:30 PM EST
- Fri: 12:00 PM - 08:30 PM EST
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Sonoma
- Lake
Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB)
The Groceries to Go program provides anyone in need of assistance a monthly offering of government commodities supplemented by the REFB’s fresh produce, bread, and donated shelf-stable groceries. There are 29 Groceries to Go distribution sites in 14 towns throughout Sonoma County.
Visit our website to find a location near you or contact us for more information.
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 (707) 523-7903ext to book your appointment.
Address :
,
Los Angeles, CA 90291.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 12:00 PM - 08:30 PM EST
- Tues: 12:00 PM - 08:30 PM EST
- Wed: 12:00 PM - 08:30 PM EST
- Thurs: 12:00 PM - 08:30 PM EST
- Fri: 12:00 PM - 08:30 PM EST
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Sonoma
Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB)
Our Senior Basket program offers a 35-40 lb. box of staple food items and a variety of fresh produce once a month, ensuring low-income seniors throughout our region are food secure and equipped to live healthy, independent lives.
Senior Basket operates at 83 distribution sites throughout our service region. Please contact us for more information on locations, time and eligibility.
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 (707) 523-7903ext to book your appointment.
Address :
3990 Brickway Blvd,
Santa Rosa, CA 95403.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 12:00 PM - 08:30 PM EST
- Tues: 12:00 PM - 08:30 PM EST
- Wed: 12:00 PM - 08:30 PM EST
- Thurs: 12:00 PM - 08:30 PM EST
- Fri: 12:00 PM - 08:30 PM EST
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Sonoma
Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB)
Harvest Pantry provides fresh fruits and vegetables to pregnant women and families with children 0-6 years of age from a mobile pantry, which travels to high-need sites throughout our community. Every week, Harvest Pantry helps reduce the incidence of hunger and childhood anemia by pairing produce rich in iron and vitamin C and healthy staple foods with nutrition education.
Food is distributed at seven sites throughout Sonoma County. Please contact us for more information on location, time and eligibility.
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 (707) 523-7903ext to book your appointment.
Address :
,
Los Angeles, CA 90291.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 12:00 PM - 08:30 PM EST
- Tues: 12:00 PM - 08:30 PM EST
- Wed: 12:00 PM - 08:30 PM EST
- Thurs: 12:00 PM - 08:30 PM EST
- Fri: 12:00 PM - 08:30 PM EST
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Sonoma
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 Sonoma 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, Sonoma 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 Sonoma 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