Where to get free meals and groceries in Sonoma County during coronavirus pandemic

These local nonprofits are providing people in need with free food and groceries.|
ELISSA CHUDWIN
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

If you've recently been laid off or are struggling to make ends meet during the coronavirus pandemic, we have compiled a list of local food banks and nonprofits in Sonoma County that are providing free meals and groceries.

Know of a nonprofit we missed? Email onlineideas@pressdemocrat.com to have it added to our list.

Santa Rosa City Schools

Santa Rosa City Schools is offering a drive-thru meal service for students on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at nine locations throughout the city. Students ages 18 and under from any school district are eligible to receive two breakfasts and lunches on Monday and three breakfasts and lunches on Wednesday. For more information, visit srcschools.org/freemeals.

Petaluma City Schools

Petaluma City Schools are providing grab-and-go meals to all students who attend district schools and any of their siblings who are younger than 18. Breakfasts and lunches are being distributed on Mondays and Thursdays from 9-11 a.m. at Petaluma Junior High (700 Bantam Way, Petaluma) and McDowell Elementary School (421 S. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma). Students do not need to be present at the time of pickup. For more information, go here. Questions can be directed to the Food Services Department at rdigiaimo@petk12.org or 707-778-4636.

Redwood Empire Food Bank

The Redwood Empire Food Bank is providing food to residents in need without proof of income, Food Connections manager Maria Fuentes said. Residents can visit the office (3990 Brickway Blvd., Santa Rosa) for a box of dry goods or to be directed to a pick-up location. Coronavirus concerns have forced some pick-up locations to close and others' hours to be extended, so visit getfood.refb.org for an updated list. Additional questions can be directed to 707-523-7900.

The food bank also has partnered with local school kitchens to provide families lunch and care packages with groceries. The meals can be picked up from any of the participating schools, but children must be present to receive food. Click here for a list of participating schools and here for a map to see where they're located.

Meals on Wheels

Run by the Council on Aging, Meals on Wheels provides seniors with food in exchange for a small monetary donation, although no one in need is turned away. For more information about meal delivery, call 707-525-0143. Meals on Wheels also is distributing meal packs at seven pick-up locations throughout Sonoma County for residents ages 60 and older. The suggested donation is $20 per pack, and residents must register the day before by 10 a.m. to receive the meals. For more information, call 707-525-0143 ext. 013.

Corazón Healdsburg

Corazón Healdsburg (1557 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg) is offering a drive-thru service for Healdsburg residents to receive groceries and takeout meals on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. -1 p.m. Residents do not need to show ID but will be asked to give their name and address. For more information, visit the organization's Facebook page.

Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa is continuing its food distribution programs for anyone who needs help feeding their family throughout the pandemic. Go here for a list of days, times and locations. Go here for more information and a full list of resources.

Salvation Army

Salvation Army is providing food to any resident in need Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon during the pandemic, said Santa Rosa Salvation Army Capt. Rio Ray. To receive food, go to the parking lot of the Corps Community Center (93 Stony Circle, Santa Rosa) with a valid ID. Families are limited to picking up groceries once per week. For more information, call 707-542-0981.

Windsor Service Alliance Food Pantry

The Windsor Service Alliance Food Pantry (8987 Windsor Road, Windsor) is doling out fresh produce and packaged groceries to Windsor residents on Fridays from 2-5 p.m. Go here or call 707-838- 6947 for more information.

Healdsburg Food Pantry

Healdsburg Food Pantry (1505 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg) is providing Healdsburg and Geyserville residents with food Tuesday-Friday from 3-4:30 p.m. Go here for more information.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin

Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin are providing grab-and-go lunches for children who live in west county. Meals can be picked up at Guerneville Elementary School (14630 Armstrong Woods Road, Guerneville) from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Children must be present to receive the meals. For more information, go here.

Rotary Clubs of Santa Rosa, Petaluma and Rohnert Park

Several Rotary Clubs in Sonoma County are offering drive-thru meal services every Saturday at noon for both laid-off and employed hospitality and service workers in need. Meals can be picked up at these locations: Rohnert Park-Cotati Regional Library (6250 Lynne Condé Way, Rohnert Park), the Multicultural Child Development Center (1650 W. 3rd St., Santa Rosa) and the Petaluma Community Center (320 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma).

Ceres Community Project

Ceres Community Project is providing meals and food assistance to Sonoma and Marin County residents who are facing serious medical and financial challenges. Residents must meet several qualifications to receive assistance, such as being without a caretaker to provide meals. If you meet Ceres' qualifications, call the client intake line at 707-829-5833, ext. 201. It may take up to 48 hours to receive meals.

Food For Thought

Food For Thought provides weekly groceries and frozen meals to people living with HIV and other serious illnesses in Sonoma County. Go here for more information. To apply for assistance, contact client services director Nina Redman at NinaR@FFTfoodbank.org or 707-887-1647 ext. 119.

Friends in Sonoma Helping

Friends in Sonoma Helping (18330 Sonoma Hwy., Sonoma) will provide Sonoma Valley families in need with groceries twice per month. To receive groceries, first call 707-996-0111 between 9 a.m.-noon on weekdays. For more information, go here.

River to Coast Children's Services

River to Coast Children's Services (16300 1st St., Guerneville) is providing west county families in need with groceries, formula, diapers and gas vouchers. Items can be picked up Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. or by appointment. For more information, go here.

La Luz Center

If you are unable to attend other food distributions in Sonoma Valley because of lack of transportation or a health condition, La Luz Center (17560 Greger St., Sonoma)

will work with you to ensure that you receive food, community engagement programs manager Angie Sanchez wrote in an email. To receive help, call 707-938-5131.

The Living Room

The Living Room (1207 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa) has transitioned from a women and children's day shelter to a crisis center. The organization is distributing hot meals and groceries to anyone who is in need Mondays-Fridays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. It also is offering pet supplies, water, hygiene products and mobile showers on Wednesdays from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. Go here for more information.

Food for All - Comida para Todos

Food for All - Comida para Todos delivers weekly Redwood Empire Food Bank family meals and supplemental essentials to Sonoma Valley residents who are homebound, economically challenged or do not have transportation and can't access other drive-up distribution sites. Go here to sign up.

Coastal Seniors

Coastal Seniors is providing meals to people ages 60 and older at the Gualala Community Center (47950 Center St., Gualala). Residents living with a disability also qualify for the meals, which are available Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. Residents must call 707-882-2137 or 707-882-2237 before 4 p.m. the day before they pick up meals. For more information, go here.

Petaluma People Services Center

Petaluma People Services Center (1500 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma) is providing meals for residents who are 60 and older on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Residents must call the services center at 707-765-8488 a day prior to reserve a meal. For more information, visit petalumapeople.org.

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