A wide shot of a food bank distribution event, showing volunteers handing out boxes of food to people in cars, emphasizing community support and access to food assistance.
A wide shot of a food bank distribution event, showing volunteers handing out boxes of food to people in cars, emphasizing community support and access to food assistance.

Find Your Local Food Bank: A County-by-County Guide to Food Assistance

Finding access to nutritious food is a fundamental need, and Local Food Banks are crucial resources for individuals and families facing food insecurity. If you are struggling to put food on the table, you are not alone, and help is available in your community. This guide will help you locate a local food bank near you in California.

For immediate assistance, please don’t hesitate to call 2-1-1. This service is available 24 hours a day and can connect you with health and human service programs, including food banks, in your local area.

Alameda
Alpine
Amador
Butte
Calaveras
Colusa
Contra Costa
Del Norte
El Dorado
Fresno
Glenn
Humboldt
Imperial
Inyo
Kern
Kings
Lake
Los Angeles
Madera
Marin
Mariposa
Mendocino
Merced
Mono
Monterey
Napa
Nevada
Orange
Placer
Plumas
Riverside
Sacramento
San Benito
San Bernardino
San Diego
San Francisco
San Joaquin
San Luis Obispo
San Mateo
Santa Barbara
Santa Clara
Santa Cruz
Shasta
Sierra
Siskiyou
Solano
Sonoma
Stanislaus
Sutter
Tehama
Trinity
Tulare
Tuolumne
Ventura
Yolo
Yuba

A wide shot of a food bank distribution event, showing volunteers handing out boxes of food to people in cars, emphasizing community support and access to food assistance.A wide shot of a food bank distribution event, showing volunteers handing out boxes of food to people in cars, emphasizing community support and access to food assistance.

Understanding Local Food Banks and Their Role in Communities

Local food banks are more than just food distribution centers; they are vital community hubs dedicated to fighting hunger and food insecurity. As non-profit organizations, typically holding 501(c)3 status, food banks operate with a commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has access to nutritious food. They are governed by a Board of Directors composed of community representatives, ensuring they are deeply rooted in and responsive to the needs of the population they serve.

The work of a local food bank is multifaceted. They act as central points for collecting, safely storing, and distributing a wide array of food products. This includes fresh produce sourced from local farms and grocery stores, as well as non-perishable pantry staples. By efficiently managing food donations and resources, food banks prevent food waste while simultaneously channeling essential food items to those who need them most.

Beyond food distribution, local food banks often play a broader role in connecting individuals with essential support services. They can assist people in accessing other crucial benefits programs and serve as volunteer coordination centers, fostering community engagement in addressing hunger. Operating on the core principles of client choice, dignity, and respect, local food banks strive to create a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone seeking food assistance. They recognize and value the diversity of the communities they serve, tailoring their services to meet varied cultural and individual needs.

For more in-depth information, you can explore 10 Food Bank Facts to further understand the impact and scope of food banks in combating hunger.

Alameda

[

Alameda County Community Food Bank

https://www.accfb.org](https://www.accfb.org)

(510) 635-3663

Alpine

[

Food Bank of El Dorado County

https://foodbankedc.org](https://foodbankedc.org)

(530) 621-9950

Amador

[

Interfaith Council of Amador

https://www.feedamador.org](https://www.feedamador.org)

(209) 267-9006

Butte

[

Community Action Agency of Butte County – North State Food Bank

https://www.buttecaa.com/north-state-food-bank](https://www.buttecaa.com/north-state-food-bank)

(530) 712-2600

Calaveras

[

The Resource Connection Food Bank

https://trcac.org/the-food-bank](https://trcac.org/the-food-bank)

(209) 754-1257

Colusa

[

Community Action Agency of Butte County – North State Food Bank

https://www.buttecaa.com/north-state-food-bank](https://www.buttecaa.com/north-state-food-bank)

(530) 712-2600

Contra Costa

[

Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano

https://www.foodbankccs.org](https://www.foodbankccs.org)

(855) 309-3663

Del Norte

Non Member This location is not a member of CAFB

[

Rural Human Services

http://ruralhumanservices.net](http://ruralhumanservices.net)

707-464-7441

El Dorado

[

Food Bank of El Dorado County

https://foodbankedc.org](https://foodbankedc.org)

(530) 621-9950

Fresno

[

Central California Food Bank

https://ccfoodbank.org](https://ccfoodbank.org)

(559) 237-3663

Glenn

[

Community Action Agency of Butte County – North State Food Bank

https://www.buttecaa.com/north-state-food-bank](https://www.buttecaa.com/north-state-food-bank)

(530) 712-2600

Humboldt

[

Food for People

https://www.foodforpeople.org](https://www.foodforpeople.org)

(707) 445-3166

Imperial

[

Imperial Valley Food Bank

http://www.ivfoodbank.com](http://www.ivfoodbank.com)

(760) 370-0966

Inyo

Non Member This location is not a member of CAFB

[

Inyo Mono Advocates for Community Action (IMACA)

https://www.imaca.net](https://www.imaca.net)

(760) 873-8557

Kern

[

Community Action Partnership of Kern

http://www.capk.org](http://www.capk.org)

(661) 398-4520

Kings

[

Kings Community Action Organization

https://www.kcao.org](https://www.kcao.org)

(559) 582-4386

Lake

Non Member This location is not a member of CAFB

[

Clearlake Gleaners Inc

https://getfood.refb.org/sites/clearlake-gleaners-finley](https://getfood.refb.org/sites/clearlake-gleaners-finley)

(707) 263-8082

Los Angeles

[

Los Angeles Regional Food Bank

https://www.lafoodbank.org](https://www.lafoodbank.org)

(323) 234-3030

[

Westside Food Bank

http://www.westsidefoodbankca.org](http://www.westsidefoodbankca.org)

(310) 828-6016

Madera

Non Member This location is not a member of CAFB

[

Madera County Food Bank

https://www.maderafoodbank.com](https://www.maderafoodbank.com)

(559) 674-1482

Marin

[

SF-Marin Food Bank

https://www.sfmfoodbank.org](https://www.sfmfoodbank.org)

(415) 282-1900

Mariposa

[

Merced County Food Bank

https://mmcfb.org](https://mmcfb.org)

(209) 726-3663

Mendocino

[

Mendocino Food & Nutrition Program – The Fort Bragg Food Bank

http://www.fortbraggfoodbank.org](http://www.fortbraggfoodbank.org)

(707) 964-9404 /9409

Merced

[

Merced County Food Bank

https://mmcfb.org](https://mmcfb.org)

(209) 726-3663

Mono

Non Member This location is not a member of CAFB

[

Inyo Mono Advocates for Community Action (IMACA)

https://www.imaca.net](https://www.imaca.net)

(760) 873-8557

Monterey

[

Food Bank for Monterey County

https://www.foodbankformontereycounty.org](https://www.foodbankformontereycounty.org)

(831) 758-1523

Napa

[

Community Action of Napa Valley Food Bank

http://canv.org](http://canv.org)

(707) 253-6128

Nevada

Non Member This location is not a member of CAFB

[

Food Bank of Nevada County

https://foodbankofnc.org](https://foodbankofnc.org)

(530) 272-3796

Orange

[

Orange County Food Bank

https://ocfoodbank.org](https://ocfoodbank.org)

(714) 897-6670

[

Second Harvest Food Bank Orange County

https://www.feedoc.org](https://www.feedoc.org)

(949) 653-2900

Placer

[

Placer Food Bank

http://placerfoodbank.org](http://placerfoodbank.org)

(916) 783-0481

Plumas

[

Community Action Agency of Butte County – North State Food Bank

https://www.buttecaa.com/north-state-food-bank](https://www.buttecaa.com/north-state-food-bank)

(530) 712-2600

Riverside

[

Feeding America Riverside San Bernardino

https://www.feedingamericaie.org](https://www.feedingamericaie.org)

(951) 359-4757

[

FIND – Food In Need of Distribution

http://www.findfoodbank.org](http://www.findfoodbank.org)

(760) 775-3663

Sacramento

[

Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services

https://www.sacramentofoodbank.org](https://www.sacramentofoodbank.org)

(916) 456-1980

San Benito

[

Community Food Bank of San Benito County

https://communityfoodbankofsbc.org](https://communityfoodbankofsbc.org)

(831) 637-0340

San Bernardino

[

Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County

https://www.capsbc.org](https://www.capsbc.org)

(909) 723-1500

[

Feeding America Riverside San Bernardino

https://www.feedingamericaie.org](https://www.feedingamericaie.org)

(951) 359-4757

San Diego

[

Feeding San Diego

https://feedingsandiego.org](https://feedingsandiego.org)

(858) 452-3663

[

The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank

https://sandiegofoodbank.org](https://sandiegofoodbank.org)

(858) 527-1419

San Francisco

[

SF-Marin Food Bank

https://www.sfmfoodbank.org](https://www.sfmfoodbank.org)

(415) 282-1900

San Joaquin

[

Emergency Food Bank

http://www.stocktonfoodbank.org](http://www.stocktonfoodbank.org)

(209) 464-7369

[

Second Harvest of the Greater Valley

https://www.localfoodbank.org](https://www.localfoodbank.org)

(209) 239-2091

San Luis Obispo

[

SLO Food Bank

https://www.slofoodbank.org](https://www.slofoodbank.org)

(805) 238-4664

San Mateo

[

Second Harvest of Silicon Valley

https://www.shfb.org](https://www.shfb.org)

1-800-984-3663

Santa Barbara

[

Foodbank of Santa Barbara

https://foodbanksbc.org](https://foodbanksbc.org)

(805) 967-5741

Santa Clara

[

Second Harvest of Silicon Valley

https://www.shfb.org](https://www.shfb.org)

1-800-984-3663

Santa Cruz

[

Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County

https://www.thefoodbank.org](https://www.thefoodbank.org)

(831) 722-7110

Shasta

[

Dignity Health Connected Living

https://www.dignityhealth.org/north-state/locations/connected-living/services/food-assistance-for-seniors-living-in-the-redding-area/food-bank](https://www.dignityhealth.org/north-state/locations/connected-living/services/food-assistance-for-seniors-living-in-the-redding-area/food-bank)

(530) 226-3073

Sierra

[

Community Action Agency of Butte County – North State Food Bank

https://www.buttecaa.com/north-state-food-bank](https://www.buttecaa.com/north-state-food-bank)

(530) 712-2600

Siskiyou

Non Member This location is not a member of CAFB

[

Great Northern Services

https://www.gnservices.org](https://www.gnservices.org)

(530) 938-4115

Solano

[

Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano

https://www.foodbankccs.org](https://www.foodbankccs.org)

(855) 309-3663

Sonoma

[

Redwood Empire Food Bank

https://refb.org](https://refb.org)

(707) 523-7900

Stanislaus

[

Second Harvest of the Greater Valley

https://www.localfoodbank.org](https://www.localfoodbank.org)

(209) 239-2091

Sutter

[

Yuba-Sutter Food Bank

https://feedingys.org/](https://feedingys.org/)

(530) 673-3834

Tehama

[

Community Action Agency of Butte County – North State Food Bank

https://www.buttecaa.com/north-state-food-bank](https://www.buttecaa.com/north-state-food-bank)

(530) 712-2600

Trinity

Non Member This location is not a member of CAFB

[

Trinity County Food Bank

http://trinitycountyfoodbank.org](http://trinitycountyfoodbank.org)

(530) 739-0983

Tulare

[

FoodLink for Tulare County

http://foodlinktc.org](http://foodlinktc.org)

(559) 651-3663

Tuolumne

[

ATCAA Food Bank – Tuolumne County

https://www.atcaa.org/food-bank](https://www.atcaa.org/food-bank)

(209) 984-3960

Ventura

[

FOOD Share of Ventura County

https://foodshare.com](https://foodshare.com)

(805) 983-7100

Yolo

[

Yolo Food Bank

https://yolofoodbank.org](https://yolofoodbank.org)

(530) 668-0690

Yuba

[

Yuba-Sutter Food Bank

https://feedingys.org/](https://feedingys.org/)

(530) 673-3834

Connect with a Local Food Bank and Get Involved

Finding a local food bank is the first step towards accessing food assistance. We encourage you to reach out to the food bank serving your county directly through the provided website or phone number to learn more about their distribution schedules, eligibility criteria, and the specific types of assistance they offer.

Beyond seeking help, consider how you can support the vital work of local food banks. Food banks rely heavily on community support to operate and expand their reach. If you are in a position to help, becoming a volunteer is an invaluable contribution. Food banks always need helping hands for sorting food, packing boxes, and assisting with distributions. Donating food and funds are also crucial ways to ensure these organizations can continue to serve those in need. Even small contributions can make a significant difference in the fight against local hunger.

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