Blog - Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano

Community Produce Program Goes Mobile

October 10, 2020 By Jasmina Breen

As part of our COVID-19 response efforts, we’re now giving away boxes of shelf-stable food at 25 of our Community Produce Program distributions. This program normally focuses on fresh produce, but supplemental boxes have been added temporarily in an effort to address the pandemic’s impact on struggling families.

Of these 25 sites, eight have been converted to twice-monthly drive-thru distributions. The pandemic, heatwaves and poor air quality have made leaving home more difficult, but the need for food still exists. Our drive-thru pop-ups make delivering food to our neighbors in need simpler and safer than ever!

Anyone needing assistance can drive up to any of our eight mobile sites throughout the Bay Area to receive free groceries. Families receive 20-30lbs of mixed fruits and vegetables, a box of shelf-stable items (i.e. pasta, peanut butter, canned foods) and a box of fresh foods (i.e. milk, cheese, eggs).

The food boxes were incorporated in October and include food supplied by the USDA as part of the government’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. The USDA purchases over $300 million per month of nutritious items directly from farmers. The boxes are then dispatched to food banks and other nonprofit aid organizations for dispersal. The emergency response program supports farmers while also helping address the growing need for food in our communities.

Participants have expressed their gratitude for the ability to receive much-needed support without ever leaving the safety of their car. Thanks to this new format and the work of our incredible volunteers, we are successfully serving 60% more families within a one-hour window!

Check for upcoming program dates and times at foodbankccs.org/getfood.

Partner agencies shower blessings in a crisis

October 9, 2020 By Rachel

Above: Anna is grateful for the food she receives from our partner agency, Shower of Blessings.

For 45 years our partner agencies have been fighting hunger alongside us with a common goal of nourishing our neighbors in need.

In early March, with COVID-19 spreading and businesses closing, we quickly realized the Food Bank would be called upon to meet a new and growing need. Our objective was safely scaling our operation in the face of many unpredictable and changing circumstances.

As first responders in this crisis, we needed all hands on deck. Leveraging our existing network of 240 nonprofit partners to distribute additional emergency food boxes and produce quickly became a top priority. Shower of Blessings in Antioch is one of those partners who stepped up during this very chaotic time. Their pantry has doubled the number of people they are serving. They now serve 100-200 families during the three days a week they are open.

Kindness and gratitude radiate from everyone at the agency and even a mask can’t hide Pastor Sylva’s smile as he shares how Shower of Blessings has been able help. “It is wonderful that we are here and the Food Bank is here to serve the community.” Sylva points out, “Sometimes we come across people who don’t appear to need help, when really they are living in their car.”

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. We don’t look down until we can pick you up. This can happen to anyone.” -Pastor Sylva

When asked how they are meeting the increased need, Pastor Sylva credits dedicated volunteers–many who came from the line–and the partnership with the Food Bank. Every week volunteers from the organization pick up food at an agency distribution which includes produce and emergency food boxes. Other volunteers safely conduct prearranged grocery recovery pickups from retailers like Costco, Target and Safeway, saving the perfectly edible food from being discarded.

The group thoughtfully assembles food boxes with a variety of produce and meat, so families can make complete meals from the offerings. As a volunteer named Beverly tells us, “There is always enough food for everyone.” Paula, another volunteer, adds she recently was told, “This is a blessing for me today because we didn’t have any food and now I can feed my family.”

As we navigate this new COVID-19 world, we will continue to foster these critical partnerships to serve the most at-risk communities including families experiencing hunger for the first time.

Children Making Change

October 8, 2020 By Jasmina Breen

If you don’t think kids can make a difference, let us introduce you to Austin Brannan. The inspirational eleven-year-old from Alamo was motivated to take action after being introduced to a “21 Days of Kindness” program at school. The program was designed by the volunteer organization, KindSpring, to teach kids how daily acts of kindness have the potential to change the world.

After learning about the importance of kindness, Austin brainstormed small ways to make a big difference in his hometown. Austin sent KindSpring a message outlining his mission to spread kindness by purchasing groceries for the elderly. In return KindSpring sent back a $100 check to help launch his plan. Austin decided to put the dollars to good use by supporting the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.

In addition to raising funds via an online Virtual Food Drive, he also held a Food Drive in his neighborhood. Over 1,500 pounds of food and $1,000 later it’s safe to say Austin’s small act of kindness blossomed into a much larger deed. Austin and members of his community ended up contributing over 2,000 meals to their neighbors in need!

We are thankful to our supporters of all ages who are finding a way to make an impact on their community!

Kick-off your own kindness challenge by organizing a virtual food drive in your community (every dollar donated helps provide 2 meals!). Visit foodbankccs.org/virtualfooddrive to get started.

Neighborhood produce stand builds a sense of community

September 16, 2020 By Guest

From our supporter, Karl Gross:

“We live in a wonderful and blessed neighborhood. Many of our neighbors, like us have vegetable gardens that provide us with good food, physical work, and much joy. My neighbor mentioned to me that they bring their excess fruits and veggies to the Food Bank. I really liked that idea, but was challenged by the time to do this and whether what we brought would be enough to be helpful. Then an idea….. Together with my son Daniel, we built a Fruit and Veggie Stand that is in front of our house.

It is for everyone in the neighborhood to not only take but also to give their own extra fruits and veggies. We all benefit. What is put in the stand is free for all. However, there is a donation box in the stand for the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. A note explains where the donations go, or how to donate online. My personal commitment has been to match whatever is put in the donation box when we pass the donations on to you.

It has been a wonderful experience, bringing our neighborhood together, preventing any waste from our gardens, providing for others…. I am always amazed by what neighbors bring to the stand and how it is always gone by the next day.

I believe this has been a very beneficial effort and would like to find ways to encourage other neighborhoods and communities to do similar activities.”

Where there is a will, there is a way…

September 16, 2020 By Jenny

Some could argue our “new normal” for our this COVID-19 society can best be described as “indefinite uncertainty” and frankly, adjusting to this is really hard. As difficult as life is right now for almost everyone, we can’t forget there are thousands of people locally who are struggling just to have their basic needs met—like putting food on the table. We applaud the organizations and individuals who, though facing their own challenges, continue to offer hope to others—like the Bay Area refineries who organized and participated in the 2020 Refinery Run.

For the past nineteen years, Bay Area refineries have come together to raise both awareness and money for the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano with their annual Refinery Run. Under normal circumstances, this event involves Bay Area refinery employees and contractors fueling their “need to feed” by driving motorcycles and custom cars in support of our mission to end hunger.

This year the Refinery Run was turned into an online Refinery Run Virtual Food Drive, which ran from August 10-31. Though things were clearly different due to the pandemic, the amount of support and dedication shown by the refineries not only matched previous years, it actually surpassed it. Knowing more people than ever are turning to the Food Bank, the participating refineries were determined to raise as much money as possible—despite a myriad of logistical challenges.

For starters, the mixer that normally takes place in July to kick-off the Refinery Run couldn’t happen because of social distancing mandates—yet all the refineries still gave at their normal sponsorship level!

Then, to expand their reach, they opened up their Virtual Food Drive to not just refinery employees and contractors but to their friends and family as well.

In the end, the 2020 Refinery Run raised enough money for over 66,000 meals! In its 19-year history, this event has brought in enough funds to provide over 1.3 million meals for our food-insecure neighbors.

Thank you Phillips 66, Martinez Refining Company, Valero Benicia Refinery and Marathon Petroleum Corporation for being able to adapt and carry on this fundraising tradition when so many events are being canceled. What you’ve accomplished this year demonstrates we can find a way to lift up our community—no matter how extraordinary the times. Everyone has the power to make a difference! Visit foodbankccs.org/virtualfooddrive for more information on how you or your organization can start an online fundraiser.

Task Force takes on Senior Hunger

July 9, 2020 By Rachel

When shelter in place took effect, we received a number of calls from seniors who were afraid to leave the house to come to our programs. Our services are set up for large central distributions to efficiently serve as many people as possible, while also supplying partner agencies with food to support diverse groups of people. We quickly looked for ways to help our more vulnerable neighbors with food by offering drive-thru distributions. Without leaving their cars nearly 12,000 individuals since March have picked up emergency boxes of shelf-stable food and a bag of produce at sites around Contra Costa and Solano counties. With more people in need than ever, we knew there was more to be done.

Enter the County Proactive Outreach Task Force who identified seniors and immune-compromised people to receive our emergency food boxes. The Task Force includes members from Contra Costa Health Services, and community partners like Seneca Family of Agencies and Choice in Aging. More than 100 boxes were delivered on the first trip using County Connection buses and helpers like Choice in Aging Board Member, and PG&E employee, Vic Baker.

One recipient said of the deliveries, “I received my two boxes and the process has been so simple and wonderful. The food lasts me around 4 days to a week…The canned vegetables and meat has been fantastic. Tell everyone in the program I say thanks!”

Rescued milk turns to cheese

July 8, 2020 By Rachel

A semi-truck containing 20,000 pounds of Monterey Jack and Swiss cheese was delivered to our Concord warehouse in June. This protein-rich staple will be a welcome treat for many people we serve.

This isn’t just any cheese, it was specially made by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which had an excess amount of milk from dairies in Utah. They sourced a producer to turn it into cheese rather than dump out the milk. The Church did this with the intention of giving the cheese to the Food Bank. This is part of a nationwide effort the Church has embarked upon to send food to communities who have been hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There is an increased need in the Bay Area because many people live paycheck to paycheck and COVID-19 has put us in a difficult spot,” said Karen Collins, a Food Resource Manager for Northern California food banks.

1 in 9 people in Contra Costa and Solano counties turn to the Food Bank for emergency and supplemental food. During the pandemic, however, there has been a 50 percent increase in demand for food at some sites. Due to this surge, the Food Bank is partnering with different organizations like the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to set up food drives where people can either donate or sign up to volunteer.

“One of the core beliefs that members of our Church has is to help those in need and to stand with those who need comfort,” said Jeremy Jacobs, President of the Concord Stake of the Church. We are committed to building bridges with members of our community and to providing support wherever necessary.”

45 Years of Service and Partnership

June 12, 2020 By Jenny

This summer marks the Food Bank’s 45th anniversary and together—as a community—we have certainly been through a lot: eight presidents, six recessions, the Loma Prieta earthquake, devastating fires and now a global pandemic!

Understandably, when disasters strike we are often asked if the Food Bank is going to run out of food. The answer is no because we’re not going to let that happen. And we know our supporters aren’t going to let that happen either.

You—our generous hunger fighters—have been coming through for our impacted neighbors during these uncertain times. You’ve been matching the unprecedented demand of the current health and financial crisis with unprecedented support…and sometimes in very creative ways!

We thank you for helping us to grow and develop an incredible network of donors, volunteers, suppliers, and nonprofit partner agencies over the years. Without this solid foundation, we would not have been able to quickly spring into action and help the thousands of new people turning to us after losing their jobs because of the pandemic.

However, you don’t just answer the call for help during widespread emergencies. For the past four and a half decades, everyday heroes like you have been stepping up and allowing us to nourish individuals, from children to seniors, so they can make it through whatever personal crisis they are experiencing.

In fact, before anyone even heard of COVID-19 or thought to stockpile toilet paper, you were helping us serve 178,000 people per month.

We invite you to join our advocacy efforts as we move forward with our guiding mission statement: “Leading the fight to end hunger, in partnership with our community and in service to our neighbors in need.”

Together, with you by our side, we can continue to nourish our community through these ever-changing times until chronic hunger no longer exists.

This is why we turn to you

June 2, 2020 By Jenny

We reached out and you stepped up!

With your support, we’ve been able to add weekly drive-thru distributions as part of our COVID-19 response.

We recently met Cheralyn at one of these pop-up events and based on what she shared with us, it sounds like she also knows a thing or two (or three) about stepping up for her community in need:

“I took in three children under 3-years old because nobody wants to take foster kids during a pandemic. I guess I had a choice, but my heart didn’t have a choice. It will be six months before the foster care money comes in for the kids, so here we are. The Food Bank and (partner) pantries have been such a big help.”

Sometimes the helpers even need help. Thank you for being there for Cheralyn, so she can be there for those children during these extraordinarily challenging times.

Kim Castaneda
Development Director
Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano

Know anyone needing assistance with food? Here’s how to get it!

Food Bank distributions (these are food programs we run)

Visit foodbankccs.org/getfood.
Choose your city and you’ll see a listing for various programs taking place.
Check the calendar for the week(s) of each distribution (like 1st and 3rd Tuesday).

Soup kitchens and food pantries (operated by our partner agencies

Call us at 1-855-309-3663 (FOOD) and let us know what city you are in.

Pop-up drive-thru distributions (weekly events in larger venues)

Visit foodbankccs.org/getfood for updated days. These change weekly, so please check back.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @foodbankccs for updates.