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California currently ranks #1 in the U.S. for agricultural production ($58 billion). Ironically, millions of Californians still go hungry every year. According to the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, 39% of low-income adults in California went hungry in 2021. And there are no reliable statistics on the starvation death rates of our homeless population.
Hunger is a fundamental human need. So, what can we do about it?
On the surface, the problem is simple: millions of Californians are starving. The solution should be equally simple, right? Unfortunately, the problem and its solutions are far more complex than most people realize.
For many low-income Californians, food stamps (CalFresh) benefits help somewhat, but they aren’t enough to get you through the entire month. Some of us don’t qualify for benefits but still fall short of our food budget. So, how can we access food when we run out of money?
Where To Get Free Food
Organizations like the Salvation Army, homeless shelters, and soup kitchens provide free food for the poorest of the poor. Other organizations like food banks and food pantries also distribute food to the community.
Many religious organizations and community charities provide food for those in need. Every California State community college and university has resources for providing free food for its students, such as food pantries.
The California Association of Food Banks has a list of food banks by county:
Some of these organizations have restrictions such as residency requirements or income limits. Others operate by appointment only. Please contact these organizations to find out if they’re still open and if they have any restrictions.
2-1-1 offers a list of community resources for Placer County, Nevada County, and the Tahoe/Truckee area. Visit https://211connectingpoint.org/ and enter “food” in the Search for Resources box.
The WIC (Women, Infants & Children) Program is a supplemental food benefits program to help families stretch their food budgets. WIC benefits can help pay for fruits and vegetables, dairy products, eggs, canned fish, baby food, formula, cereal, and more. WIC is available for low-income pregnant and breastfeeding moms, infants, and kids up to age five.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has links to local food distribution centers. Click on “Food Pantries” and enter the location.
Call the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273)
Call 2-1-1 or 866-346-3211
Auburn Adventist Community Services
12225 Rock Creek Road
Auburn, CA 95602
530-823-0345
Their food pantry is open on Tuesdays from 9am to 12pm.
Auburn Interfaith Food Closet, Inc.
1788 Auburn Ravine Rd
Auburn, CA 95603
530-878-5770 or 530-885-1921
Auburn Interfaith Food Closet serves people living in the following zip codes:
95602, 95603, 95604, 95701, 95703, 95713, 95714, 95715, 95717, 95722, 95736, 95631, 95650, 95658, 95663
Reservations encouraged.
St. Vincent De Paul Society
Drive Thru Grocery Distribution
503 Giuseppe Court, Suite 8
Roseville, CA 95678
Food Distributions: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
(Must be a resident of Placer County and fill out an application.)
The Salvation Army
Emergency Food Pantry
10725 Alta Street
Grass Valley, CA 95945
Placer Food Bank
8284 Industrial Ave.
Roseville, CA 95678
Sierra Bible Church
Food Assistance
11460 Brockway Road
Truckee, CA 96161
530-587-6025
Non-perishable food pantry Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Harvest Community Church
Drive-Thru Food Pantry
1376 Blue Oaks Boulevard
Roseville, CA 95678
The drive-thru food pantry distributes bags of groceries (provided by the Placer Food Bank). Open the last Tuesday of evert month from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Seventh Day Adventist Church
17645 Penn Valley Drive
Penn Valley, CA 95946
530-432-2479
Emergency Food Distribution: Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Provides a 2 to 3-day supply bag of food for people from anywhere in Nevada County.
Food Bank of Nevada County regular distributions. Every Thursday. https://foodbankofnc.org/get-food-here
Sierra Vista Community Center
55 School St.
Colfax, CA 95713
1st Tuesdays or Wednesdays of each month at the from 12 noon to 2 p.m.
Parkside Church of the Nazarene
3885 Richardson Dr.
Auburn, CA 95602
Second Wednesday of each month from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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