According to a 2016 study published by UCLA's Williams Institute, more than 1 in 4 LGBT adults experienced a time in the last year when they did not have enough money for the food they or their families needed. FIND Food Bank states that food insecurity is a reality for 1 in 6 people living in Coachella Valley. These statistics highlight the importance of The Center's Food Bank program.

 

The Community Food Bank @ The Center is a flagship initiative that provides nutritional assistance for those in need. The food bank provides food assistance to all qualified individuals without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, religion, political persuasion, national origin, disability, and/or covered veteran status. That said, a majority of food bank clients are single seniors who are living alone.

 

Since 2008, The Community Food Bank @ The Center has been providing fresh produce, baked goods, meat, canned goods, dairy and more to low-income Riverside County residents in need of food assistance. Every Thursday evening, The Center hosts a clean, safe and accessible "pop-up grocery store" that provides FREE groceries for up to 275 households. Considering the amount of protein distributed to clients last year, The Center provided more than 124,000 meals to our food bank clients.

 

Well over 50% of the food distributed each week is healthy fresh produce, meats and dairy that comes from FIND (Food In Need of Distribution) Food Bank, a local food bank clearinghouse. Through generous donations from local food retailers, FIND provides food to food banks such as the Community Food Bank @ The Center at no-cost or greatly reduced cost. In addition, food collection sites are set up at local businesses and numerous food drives are held throughout the year.

 

As well as providing food to clients, the food bank periodically hosts additional health & wellness services such as HIV testing, nutritional education and information and assistance with government housing and healthcare options. The food bank's long-term goal is to help reduce and eliminate hunger for individuals and families in the Palm Springs area who are at-risk of or are currently experiencing food insecurity.

 

The distribution of food happens every Thursday at 610 S. Belardo Rd. For each visit, bring an original photo ID showing your Riverside County residency and your food bank client card. If it is your first visit please bring your original photo ID and proceed to the Client Services table outside the front door at 5:30 pm. If there is space available we will add you to our client rolls. If not you will be given a one-time emergency food basket.

 

The program served over 16,000 households last year and is often at capacity. Our long term goal is to help reduce and eliminate hunger for individuals and families in the Palm Springs area.