Food For People

One of our assignments in our MSW program at Humboldt State University was to create a Youtube video for our Social Work 643: Community Work class. Two of my classmates and I decided to make a video about an amazing program in our community called Food for People. I am including a list of all the programs that are available through this organization.

Food for People, Inc.
The Food Bank for Humboldt County
307 W. 14th St.
Eureka, CA 95501
(707)445-3166
(707445-5946 fax
www.foodforpeople.org


FOOD FOR PEOPLE, INC. – 2008-2009 PROGRAMS LIST

Food for People first opened its doors in 1979 as a small food closet, designed to fill a void in the County’s social service programs. Our programs and services have grown and matured over the past 30 years, thanks to the generous support of the local community and the various grant making foundations that have provided funding for new and existing projects. Federal and state contracts specific to the distribution of USDA, FEMA and other purchased or donated foods provide approximately 32% of our annual funding. We rely on grants and local donations for the remaining 68%, which makes it possible for us to provide food for over 10,000 low income children, families, seniors, people with disabilities and other individuals each month. According to data provide through the California Health Interview Survey, Humboldt County has one of the highest rates of hunger and food insecurity statewide.

Food for People is a member of the California Association of Food Banks and is designated as a subsidiary distribution organization by Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks. We are also members of the Northern California Association of Nonprofits, which helps to build and strengthen our focus on local partnerships and collaborations.

The programs offered by Food for People are intended to serve as a safety net for those whose circumstances have left them at risk of hunger and food insecurity. Our goal is to provide individuals and households with the emergency and supplemental food they need, while working to address the root causes of hunger in our county.

The California Department of Social Services Emergency Food Assistance Program has designated Food for People, Inc. the Food Bank for Humboldt County.

Our mission:
Food for People is working to eliminate hunger and improve the health and well being of our community through access to healthy and nutritious foods, community education and advocacy.

Food for People, Inc. currently operates a total of 12 programs, each of which is designed to address the needs of those who are experiencing hunger and food insecurity. Last year, our food bank received and distributed a total of 1.3 million pounds of food.

Our programs include the following:

• The Food Bank coordinates the distribution of food through all designated program areas, and also oversees the direct distribution of food every Wednesday and Friday to an average of 1000 households (2800-3000 individuals) each month.

• Our Emergency Food Pantry Network provides food for 18 pantries and 3 congregate meal programs (soup kitchens) located throughout Humboldt County. Food for People monitors each site in accordance with USDA regulations and provides technical assistance, as needed. Collectively, these food pantries serve approximately 9,000 to 10,000 people each month.
• The Senior Brown Bag Program has been in operation since 1987, and currently provides a bag of groceries for an average of 620 low income seniors each month. Volunteer drivers deliver bags to those who are unable to pick up their own food.
• Our Homebound Delivery Program provides a monthly bag of groceries for 60-70 individuals who are too ill or disabled to leave their homes. Some of our recipients are recovering from surgery, while others may be coping with a terminal illness. Referrals are accepted from hospital discharge planners, social workers, home health workers, etc.
• The Summer Food Service Program, also known as the Children’s Summer Lunch Program, served 12,713 lunches at 15 community sites last summer. Free sack lunches are provided to low income children whose families cannot afford the additional cost of the extra meals once school is out. The majority of the children served qualify for free or reduced cost breakfast and lunch during the school year.
• The After School Snack Program was initiated in October 2006 and provides healthy snacks in after school settings at various schools and youth programs for more than 445 children per day. Many of the sites are also partners in the summer lunch program.
• The Backpacks for Kids program provides a backpack filled with kid-friendly food every Friday during the school year for children who are considered at risk for hunger over the weekend. This year, the program will serve up to 260 children at schools in Eureka, Fortuna, Blue Lake, Rio Dell, Redway, Manila and Willow Creek.
• The USDA Commodity Supplemental Food Program provides a 30-40 pound box of nutritious food monthly for 300 program participants. Our target population includes income eligible seniors, pregnant or nursing mothers and children up to age 5 who are not enrolled in WIC (Women, Infants and Children program).
• The Nonprofit Food Network allows 26 local nonprofit organizations providing residential, rehabilitation or after school programs to access food obtained through the Feeding America Food Bank Network at a low, per pound cost. Food must be used by programs serving only low income children and adults.
• The Farm Gleaning Program is overseen by our Local Food Resources Coordinator and accesses donations of fresh produce from commercial farms, orchards and backyard gardens. It also encompasses the national “Plant a Row for the Hungry” campaign, which encourages backyard gardeners to plant an extra row of food to donate to a local food pantry. Volunteers helped glean 58,385 lbs. of fresh produce last year.
• Community Education and Outreach Programs include Hunger 101, a hands-on curriculum designed for children and adults of all ages which provides insight into the tough decisions low income households face daily when trying to obtain adequate nutrition. Our Food Stamp Access Outreach Project advocates for the elimination of bureaucratic barriers to food stamps for working families and seniors. Cooking and nutrition classes are offered monthly at the Eureka Coop demonstration kitchen.
• The Emergency Food and Disaster Program links Food for People with our local chapter of VOAD, Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster. Should a disaster strike Humboldt County, Food for People would work with other local groups to make food available to any community experiencing hardship.