If you’re looking for a list of food banks in Riverside County, California, these are the 10 you should know about!
1. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Food Pantry
In Riverside, the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church runs a community food pantry five days a week. Up to 55 visitors per day can collect a prepacked bag of shelf-stable foods, such as pastas, cereals, sandwich spreads, and canned foods.
To support the pantry, you can donate food during the pantry’s open hours or donate money online. Church volunteers run the pantry each day, but you can request to volunteer by contacting the church directly.
2. Community Settlement Association (CSA) Food Share Program
Twice a week, the CSA food pantry in Riverside provides families with food bags aimed at supplementing and extending groceries with pantry staples. No need to register prior to arriving as volunteers can validate a visitor’s need there and then.
Because the CSA is a community organization designed to be for the community, by the community, they always accept donations from the community. Monetary donations can be made online, and food donations can be made by making an appointment with the pantry. To volunteer or get any other information, you can contact them here.
3. The Concerned Family
In Perris, CA, the Concerned Family have been helping those suffering from homelessness or near poverty with the skills and resources they need to get back on their feet. Their food distribution program provides non-perishable foods to those suffering from food insecurity whenever it is requested.
You can help support the Concerned Family food pantry by donating canned or dried foods during the pantry’s open hours, or you can donate money via PayPal or by credit card. You can also volunteer to distribute food or run a fundraising event; contact them here to register your interest.
4. Family and Kids Foundation
The Family and Kids Foundation in Riverside, CA, runs a ‘Food for Families’ distribution service every other Thursday. Their aim: to feed as many children as possible in the Inland Empire and Southern California areas. Families suffering from low incomes and food insecurity can attend one Food for Families event per month and collect a prepacked grocery bag of shelf stable foods.
Community members can support the Food for Families program by donating food, money, or time. Contact them via their social media to find out more about their programs.
5. Casa Blanca Home of Neighborly Services
Also in Riverside, the Casa Blanca Home of Neighborly Services (CBHNS) works with local restaurants, churches, and private organizations to provide up to 200 sack lunches and emergency food services to local residents suffering from food insecurity. While the sack lunches are available every Wednesday, the emergency food services are only offered once a month, so contacting CBHNS to find out when and how to collect a prepacked grocery bag is required. Those 17 and younger can also collect a free lunch.
To find out how to volunteer, donate, or support the CBHNS food pantry, contact them using their online form or via any of the methods found here.
6. Bread Basket Food Bank
For those living in Southeast Riverside County, the Bread Basket Food Bank in Hemet offers three ways of getting food: a market-style shop-by-donation food pantry, emergency provisions, and a sack lunch. To shop the pantry, stop by Monday and Friday mornings with your own bag and a selection of quarters and dollar bills. Emergency food boxes are provided four times a year to households who are in dire need with little to no money to spare. Sack lunches are available anytime the food bank in open, with no limit on how often you can collect.
Because of the great need, the Bread Basket Food Bank is always accepting donations. You can find out how to donate either food or money here. If you’d like to volunteer to help at the food bank, or have any other questions, contact the food bank directly here.
7. Valley Community Pantry
Since 1965, the Valley Community Pantry in Hemet has served low-income families in the San Jacinto and surrounding areas with food boxes. These boxes contain shelf-stable items intended to stretch what families already have, but depending on donations from local businesses and community, could also contain fresh produce, meat, and dairy items.
Because of the large need for assistance in the southeast Riverside area, the Valley Community Pantry is also looking for donations of both food and funds. They also accept volunteers to help sort, pack, and distribute food to those in need. Contact the pantry for other information.
8. Food Now
The Family Services of the Desert runs a food distribution service since 1959 in Desert Hot Springs. Every Wednesday and Thursday morning, Desert Hot Springs residents suffering from food insecurity can collect a food box to help alleviate the risk of going hungry. Their food boxes including not only shelf-stable, nonperishable foods, but also a range of fresh produce and meats, when available. They also provide a backpack program to ensure no child goes hungry when not in school.
Food Now relies on the help of volunteers to sort, stock, and distribute food across their many assistance programs. You can also donate food or money to the pantry. Contact them using the information at the top of their webpage to find out more.
9. Circle of Care Ministries
Chuck & Terri Keim started Circle of Care Ministries in 1999 to meet the overwhelming need for free food assistance for families and individuals in Southwest Riverside County. Three days a week, Circle of Care opens its pantry to provide those in need with enough food to stretch their groceries at home. As the pantry is run like a market stall, visitors are required to bring their own bag or receptacle to take away their choice of shelf stable food items, fresh produce, fresh meat, and dairy products.
Donations are always welcome as they help to extend the pantry’s impact. You can make an online donation via PayPal or drop off food items during pantry hours. If you’d like to volunteer or have any other questions, contact the Circle of Care Ministries online.
10. Community Care Program of the Bridge
In Murrieta, the Community Care Program of The Bridge distributes free food to any Murrieta resident in need every Sunday between 11am-12pm. Visitors can collect prepackaged grocery bags of canned foods and dried goods, among other nonperishable items, from the back of the church building.
Volunteers and food donors are welcome during the pantry’s open hours, while online donations are accepted anytime. Contact The Bridge Church to find out more about how to donate food items, volunteer, or sign up for food assistance.
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