The Redwood Empire Food Bank in Santa Rosa serves more than 65,000 people per month at 300 food distribution sites in Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties.
The 37-year-old organization’s mission is to feed neighbors in need and work toward ending hunger in the community.
In order to do so, donations and volunteers are needed throughout the year.
The food bank currently has more than 11,000 volunteers who work at food giveaway sites and its Santa Rosa warehouse.
Here is a list of foods the organization needs the most, according to Rachelle Mesheau, Redwood Empire Food Bank’s public relations and marketing manager:
Canned tuna
Canned chicken
Dry beans
Low-sugar cereal
Pasta
Peanut butter
Rice
Oats
The most popular non-perishable food items, according to the food bank, are peanut butter, rice, beans and pasta. Fresh produce, eggs, meat, bread and milk top the list of favorite perishable foods.
The food bank asks that no products are packaged in glass, perishable, homemade or past their “use before” date.
Although the food bank is unable to source fresh food in donation barrels, fruits like lemons or apples from a backyard tree may be dropped off in person.
Donations can be brought to the food bank at 3990 Brickway Boulevard in Santa Rosa, Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Food can also be dropped off at collection barrels outside stores including Oliver’s Market and Whole Food Market.
In addition, there also many opportunities to volunteer with the organization. Tasks include cleaning and packaging fresh produce and for giveaway at one of the organizations many distribution sites.
For more information, go to refb.org.
