The average food price has skyrocketed due to corona virus pandemic and recent events. The FAO Food Price Index has saw a fresh record high of nearly 160 points.
A shocking 60% price increase over the 2014-2016 base period shows that hunger is a public health issue of critical importance.
The most vulnerable demographic of society is taking the brunt of this economic pressure. Now more than ever, low-income families must rely on California Free Clinics, California Food Stamps, and food banks.
This guide will list helpful information about Food Bank in Amador County, California and organizations that can help curb hunger, how you can use their services and where to find them.
What is a Food Bank?
Food banks are non-profit charitable organizations that assist financially vulnerable populations by distributing food. Their main objectives is to help low-income individual and families by providing food.
They will work through other 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations like food pantries and soup kitchens. Sometimes they distribute the food themselves via mobile pantry.
Food Bank in Amador County, California serves as a single collection and distribution point for food donations. They operate much like a for-profit food distributor, but they do not use retailers. Instead, they may use church food banks, charities, and other non-profit food pantries to provide food to the people to fight hunger.
How the Food Bank Works?
- 1. Food is donated to a food bank.
- 2. Its stored in a big climate controlled warehouse.
- 3. Food Bank in Amador County, California distributes food to various non-profits for distribution.
- 4. Food reaches to who are in need.

Who can use Food Banks?
Many Food Bank in Amador County, California and food pantries are locally run, with others managed at the state or federal level. Qualification to receive nutrition assistance from food programs depends on the type.
There are different qualifying requirements, but many food banks have none. Just show up during their days and times of operation, and they will help if they are able.
Here are the tips while .
- It is highly advisable to call ahead before you arrive!
- Ask about any eligibility or documentation requirements they may have.
- If required, bring all required documents when you use their services.
Second Harvest Food Bank
Second Harvest Food Bank was the first one established in California in 1972 and is the second oldest in the US. It operates multiple distribution centers across the United States.
Impact of Second Harvest Food Bank is huge, It helps 85,000 Santa Cruz residents avoid missing meals and empty stomachs.
Second Harvest Food Bank in Amador County, California is easing the burden of impossible choices for families between food, housing, medicine, and other necessities.
St. Mary's Food Bank
The St. Mary's Food Bank was a first local food bank ever established in the United States in 1967. The St. Mary's Food Bank mission is food security and hunger relief for all Americans.
The St. Mary's distributes millions of pounds of food to the hungry each year, It also operates its own food pantries to allow allow people to access food directly from their warehouses.
It also offer specialized after-school programs for kids and career training for adults.
Church Food Bank Food Bank in Amador County, California
Church Food Bank Food Bank in Amador County, California serve a hot, nutritious lunch 365 days a year, even in the face of terrible weather and ever-increasing demand.
Church Food Bank welcome anyone who is in need of a meal, regardless of the person's circumstance, with no questions asked. It also provide showers, laundry, mail, I.D. assistance and other essential services.
Feeding America
John van Hengel, the founder of St. Mary's Food Bank, went on to create a national organization for food banks. The Feeding America organization is a leader in the nation's domestic hunger-relief efforts.
The Coronavirus epidemic put even more pressure on America's most vulnerable citizens. Feeding America has helped serve 6.6 billion meals to date.
The Feeding America have grown through donations and other charitable efforts to be able to deliver much-needed food via food rescue, hunger relief programs, and disaster response.
Elk Grove Food Bank Services
Elk Grove Food Bank Services (EGFBS) was founded in 1974. Since its inception, the EGFBS has distributed over 4,543,000 meals or approximately 7,522,000 pounds of food within the community. The Food Bank has changed over the years and continues to adapt to the needs of individuals we serve. Our mission is to provide essential resources to overcome the many faces of hunger and human need and remains unchanged. A recognized non-profit leader, the EGFBS is the only food bank serving the community, providing free food, clothing and social services. It originally started from a food closet at a local church by the Elk Grove Ministerial Association. As the region experienced explosive growth, the Food Bank continued to expand its services to keep up with the additional challenges brought on with influx of new residents. Today the Food Bank has seven comprehensive programs and serves 3,300 people each month.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (916) 685-8453 to book your appointment.
Address :
9820 Dino Dr Ste 140,
Elk Grove, CA 95624.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Elk Grove
Help Residents of Counties:
- Sacramento
- Solano
- Contra Costa
- San Joaquin
- Yolo
- Placer
- Amador
- Sutter
- El Dorado
Interfaith Food Bank
The Interfaith Food Bank was born through the combined efforts of Ms. Giacalone, sixteen local churches, and a Community Development block grant from AT-CAA, all working together to form the Interfaith Council of Amador County in 1996. Once established, the Council turned to local grocers, businesses and individuals to set a plan in motion that resulted in the opening of the Interfaith Food Bank on April 6, 1998, completely debt free. Our Vision: We envision a time without hunger in Amador County; a time when parents don’t go without to feed their children and a time when the elderly do not choose between housing, life saving medication and food.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (209) 267-9006 to book your appointment.
Address :
12181 Airport Rd,
Jackson, CA 95642.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
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- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Jackson
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Joaquin
- Sacramento
- El Dorado
- Amador
Food Bank of El Dorado County
The Food Bank provides food assistance on a daily basis in partnership with over 40 local emergency food response agency sites including battered women’s shelters, senior centers, local food pantries, under privileged youth programs, youth shelters, soup kitchens, maternity homes and more. The Food Bank of El Dorado County is a collaborative network of local charities. When you make a contribution to the food bank, your donation helps non-profit establishments throughout El Dorado County.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (530) 621-9950 to book your appointment.
Address :
6230 Enterprise Dr,
Diamond Springs, CA 95619.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
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- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Diamond Springs
Help Residents of Counties:
- Placer
- Sacramento
- El Dorado
- Amador
Twin Lakes Food Bank
The mission of the Twin Lakes Food Bank is to share God's love by uniting and mobilizing the community to provide food, clothing and support to those in need. Twin Lakes Food Bank is 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Founded in 1986 with the mission of helping neighbors in need.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (916) 985-6232 to book your appointment.
Address :
327 Montrose Dr,
Folsom, CA 95630.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Folsom
Help Residents of Counties:
- Sacramento
- Placer
- El Dorado
- Yolo
- Amador
- Sutter
- Nevada
- Yuba
Emergency Food Bank and Family Services
The Emergency Food Bank, founded in 1968, is the largest direct provider of packaged emergency food in San Joaquin County. Over one thousand people a day are served healthy food from Emergency Food Bank services. Almost six million pounds of food is distributed each year from our main location and 13 pantries in Stockton and San Joaquin County. That equates to almost 200 fully loaded 54’ semi-trailer loads, feeding over one hundred thousand men, women, and children nutritious food each year, without charge. The Food Bank provides food service to 13 satellite pantries throughout the County, over thirty non-profit agencies, treatment centers and to scores of public events related to healthy living and nutrition. We emphasize health, nutrition, food economics and education. All food bags are packaged with an eye to balanced nutrition. The Food Bank provides classes in general nutrition education, healthy meal planning and food preparation. The Food Bank also provides a service to grocery stores, food processors, farmers and reclamation distribution centers by taking excess or usable foods that would otherwise be thrown away. Additionally, the Food Bank teaches basic job skills and provides training in data entry, clerical office skills, warehouse operation and truck operation. Food Pantry Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (209) 464-7369 to book your appointment.
Address :
7 W Scotts Ave,
Stockton, CA 95203.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Stockton
Help Residents of Counties:
- Contra Costa
- Solano
- San Joaquin
- Stanislaus
- Sacramento
- Amador
- Yolo
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federally run program that helps obtain badly needed food for low-income people and families. SNAP program is also known as Food Stamp.
SNAP benefits in Amador County supplied approximately 40 million Americans in 2018. It is the most extensive nutrition program administered by Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and is a vital component of the social safety net for low-income Americans.
In 2017, roughly 9.2% of American households obtained SNAP benefits, with about 16.7% of all children living in homes benefiting.
The program had used paper "stamps" or coupons in the past – worth $1 (brown), $5 (blue), and $10 (green). These were bound into small booklets of various denominations, to be torn out individually and used in single-use exchanges.
Free Food Programs Summary
| Acronym | Name | For Moms & Kids | For Seniors | For Food Bank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SNAP | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program | Yes | Yes | No |
| TEFAP | The Emergency Food Assistance Program | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CSFP | The Commodity Supplemental Food Program | No | Yes | Yes |
| CACFP | The Child and Adult Care Food Program | Yes | Yes | No |
| NSLP | The National School Lunch Program | Yes | No | No |
| SBP | The School Breakfast Program | Yes | No | No |
| SFSP | The Summer Food Service Program | Yes | No | No |
| WIC | Women, Infants, and Children | Yes | No | No |
FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?
Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.
2. What kind of food is at a food Bank?
Specifically, Amador County food banks often need items like:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. How do you qualify for Amador County food bank assistance?
To qualify for food bank assistance you must provide:
- Current state-issued ID
- Social Security numbers of all household members
- Current electric bill to prove residence
- Bank Statement for income verification