The Redwood Empire Food Bank in Santa Rosa feeds more than 65,000 people each month at 300 food distribution locations in Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties.
The 37-year-old organization’s mission is to feed neighbors in need and work to end hunger in the community.
To do this, we need donations and volunteers throughout the year.
The food bank currently has more than 11,000 volunteers working at food distribution sites and its warehouse in Santa Rosa.
According to Rachel Meshoe, communications and marketing manager for the Redwood Empire Food Bank, the list of foods the organization needs most includes:
Canned tuna
Canned Chicken
Dried beans
Low sugar cereal
pasta
peanut butter
Rice
Oats
The most popular non-perishable foods are peanut butter, rice, beans and pasta, according to the food bank, while fresh produce, eggs, meat, bread and milk top the list of non-perishable items.
The food bank asks that people not eat anything packaged in glass, perishable, homemade or past its “use by” date.
While the food bank can’t source fresh produce in barrels for donations, fruit such as lemons and apples from backyard trees can be delivered directly to them.
Donations can be dropped off at the food bank, located at 3990 Brickway Boulevard in Santa Rosa, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Food can also be dropped off at collection barrels outside stores such as Oliver’s Market and Whole Foods Market.
Additionally, there are numerous opportunities to volunteer with the organization. Duties include cleaning, packing, and distributing fresh produce at one of the organization’s many distribution locations.
For more information, visit refb.org.
