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 Ventura 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 Ventura 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 Ventura 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 Ventura 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 Ventura 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 Ventura County, California
Church Food Bank Food Bank in Ventura 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.
The Salvation Army Burbank Corps
The Salvation Army of Burbank Corps is a place where whole families can find something for everyone in. We are committed to serving all who come to us from Burbank, North Hollywood, Sun Valley, and Tujunga. We invite you to read over the many services we provide and if you have any questions about any of the services we offer, please feel free to give us a call.
Services Offered:
• Emergency Financial Assistance
• After-School Programs
• Food Assistance and Pantry
• Enrichment Workshops
• Referrals
• Life Skill Classes
• Family Ministries
• Youth Programs
• Holiday Assistance
• Multicultural Programs
Please contact us or visit our website for more information on our programs.
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 (818) 845-7214 to book your appointment.
Address :
300 E Angeleno Ave,
Burbank, CA 91502.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM
- Tues: 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM
- Wed: 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM
- Thurs: 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM
- Fri: 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Los Angeles
- Orange
- Ventura
Westside Food Bank
Westside Food Bank is an independent, non-governmental, 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation founded in 1981, which provides food to social service agencies on the Westside of Los Angeles County. Our food often enables low-income people to stay in their homes, deterring the problem of homelessness, because it saves them from having to make the agonizing choice between paying for rent or food when they can’t afford both. Receiving our food also enables our 70 member-agencies to devote more of their own resources to other ways of helping clients achieve self respect and economic independence. The Food Bank acquires as much food as possible through donations, but we must still purchase approximately half of our food from wholesale merchants at the best volume prices we can obtain. Purchasing food allows us to consistently provide our member agencies with the most nutritious food possible. The Food Bank also receives produce from a statewide “Farm to Family†distribution program. Our Extra Helpings Westside Program, which recovers food that would otherwise be thrown away from bakeries, restaurants, caterers and food suppliers, provides about one third of the food we distribute. Thanks to the economies of scale and our efficient operation, we can acquire five pounds of food for each donated dollar.
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 (310) 828-6016 to book your appointment.
Address :
1710 22nd St,
Santa Monica, CA 90404.
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Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Santa Monica
Help Residents of Counties:
- Los Angeles
- Orange
- Ventura
Foodbank of Santa Barbara County
The mission of the Foodbank is to provide nourishment to those in need by acquiring and distributing safe nutritious foods via local agencies and providing education to solve hunger and nutrition problems in Santa Barbara County. During 2012, the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County distributed more than 8.5 million meals from two warehouse locations in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria.
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 (805) 967-5741 to book your appointment.
Address :
4554 Hollister Ave,
Santa Barbara, CA 93110.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Santa Barbara
Help Residents of Counties:
- Santa Barbara
- Ventura
Valley Food Bank
Established in 2001, the Valley Food Bank first began operations in North Hollywood at a facility shared with the organization’s thrift store and San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission operations. With the steady growth of all three programs and an increasing demand for food assistance, the Valley Food Bank relocated its operations and warehouse in 2009 to larger facility located in Pacoima, California. The Valley Food Bank is well positioned to carry out the objectives of its Fighting Hunger – Feeding Hope program. As an outreach of the Rescue Mission Alliance, the Valley Food Bank is backed by an organization with over 39 years of sound fiscal management, continuous growth, experience, and positive client outcomes. It is a member in good standing with the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) and "Certified Excellent" through the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions (AGRM).
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 (818) 510-4140 to book your appointment.
Address :
12701 Van Nuys Blvd Ste A,
Pacoima, CA 91331.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Pacoima
Help Residents of Counties:
- Los Angeles
- Ventura
Manna Conejo Valley Food Bank
Founded in 1971 by a group of people who felt that no person should ever go hungry in the Conejo Valley, Manna Conejo Valley Food Bank has been providing food assistance to our friends and neighbors in need for more than 40 years; and have made it our mission — “To feed hungry people in the Conejo Valley.†Manna is situated in a 700 square-foot house in the “Old Town†area of Thousand Oaks, and serves, on average, more than 1,400 people per month. With holiday distribution programs, we help over 20,000 people each year throughout the 101 corridor cities from the Calabasas Grade to the Conejo Grade. Unlike many food pantries in the area, Manna is not formally affiliated with any religious organization, nor are we federally funded in any way. In fact, Manna exists almost entirely on private donations of food and funding. More than 95% of the food Manna distributes each year is donated by organizations, businesses and individuals from around theConejoValley. Funding is provided through generous donors and grant writing efforts. With 1 in 6 people facing hunger issues on a daily basis, Manna has taken a strong stance against hunger in the ConejoValley. There is no quick fix to the issue of food insecurity, but with unified dedication from our grocery partners, donors and a caring public, Manna is providing the support our friends and neighbors need. We invite you to join us in our quest, where “Neighbor Feeding Neighbor†is a daily reality.
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 (805) 497-4959 to book your appointment.
Address :
3020 Crescent Way,
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Thousand Oaks
Help Residents of Counties:
- Los Angeles
- Ventura
MEND Emergency Food Bank
MEND’s Emergency Food Bank is unique in that it is the largest in Los Angeles providing direct distribution to clients in need, and one of the largest in the state of California. Volunteer Food Rescue Program Drivers collect food from numerous supermarkets, churches, schools, businesses and other organizations in the area. Much of the food is distributed to more than 60 smaller pantries and charities in the area that also care for low-income people, about 30 every week. The Emergency Food Bank distributes more than a quarter of a million pounds of food a month both onsite and through its community outreach , helping to feed well over 21,000 people every month, as well. Emergency food boxes provide a generous, nutritionally balanced three-day supply of emergency food, designed to help the families make ends meet, but not to create a dependency on MEND. They are distributed three mornings each week and every Saturday morning at the MEND Center, as well as four times a month from satellite operations. In addition, hot meals are served four times a week. Each applicant for the service is personally interviewed to assess needs, verify information and evaluate any special dietary requirements. MEND’s Foodbank and Kitchen regularly receive “A†ratings from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health for adherence to food handling standards. Meal Program: Tuesday: (Homeless services only) Breakfast 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m. 3 p.m., Thursday: Breakfast 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Friday: Breakfast 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Food Box Distribution: Tuesday: (Homeless Services Only) 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon; Homeless Meal and Food Box Distribution: Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 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 (818) 686-7300 to book your appointment.
Address :
10641 N San Fernando Rd,
Pacoima, CA 91331.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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- Sat:
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Pacoima
Help Residents of Counties:
- Los Angeles
- Ventura
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 Ventura 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, Ventura 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 Ventura 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