Contra Costa Food Bank: Fighting Hunger in Our Backyard

Introduction

Hunger is a serious problem in our communities. In Contra Costa County alone, 1 in 5 residents struggle to put food on the table. The Contra Costa Food Bank is on the front lines of the fight against hunger, providing food and resources to those in need.

Who We Are

The Contra Costa Food Bank is a non-profit organization that has been serving the community for over 40 years. We are a member of the Feeding America network of food banks, and we are the largest food bank in Contra Costa County.

We provide food to over 100,000 people each month through a network of over 300 partner agencies, including food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters. We also operate a number of programs to help people access food, including:

• CalFresh (food stamps) assistance
• Senior Nutrition Program
• Farm to Family Program
• Backpack Program

The Need is Real

Hunger is a growing problem in our communities. The number of people seeking food assistance has increased dramatically in recent years, due to factors such as:

• The rising cost of housing
• The decline in wages
• The lack of affordable food

In Contra Costa County, 1 in 5 residents are food insecure, meaning they do not have reliable access to enough food to meet their needs. This includes 1 in 4 children.

Our Impact

The Contra Costa Food Bank is making a difference in the lives of our neighbors. In the past year, we have:

• Distributed over 25 million pounds of food
• Provided food assistance to over 100,000 people
• Helped over 10,000 families apply for CalFresh benefits

How You Can Help

There are many ways you can help the Contra Costa Food Bank fight hunger in our communities. You can:

• Donate food or funds
• Volunteer your time
• Advocate for policies that help to end hunger

Together, we can make a difference.

Table 1: Contra Costa Food Bank Impact

Table 2: Contra Costa Food Insecurity

Table 3: Ways to Help the Contra Costa Food Bank

Stories of Impact

Story 1: Maria is a single mother with two young children. She works hard, but she often has trouble making ends meet. The Contra Costa Food Bank provides her with food assistance, which helps her to put food on the table for her children.

What we learn: The Contra Costa Food Bank helps to ensure that children in our communities have access to the food they need to grow and thrive.

Story 2: John is a senior citizen who lives on a fixed income. He has trouble affording groceries, and he often relies on the Contra Costa Food Bank to supplement his diet.

What we learn: The Contra Costa Food Bank helps to ensure that seniors in our communities have access to the food they need to stay healthy.

Story 3: Susan is a volunteer at the Contra Costa Food Bank. She helps to sort food donations and pack food boxes. She enjoys volunteering because she knows that she is making a difference in the lives of her neighbors.

What we learn: Volunteers are essential to the work of the Contra Costa Food Bank. They help to ensure that food gets to the people who need it most.

Call to Action

Hunger is a serious problem in our communities, but it is a problem that we can solve together. The Contra Costa Food Bank is on the front lines of the fight against hunger, and we need your help to continue our work.

Please consider donating food or funds, volunteering your time, or advocating for policies that help to end hunger.

Together, we can make a difference.