There is no single equation that leads to hunger. It could be the loss of a job, an unexpected illness, or a dollar that does not stretch far enough. More people than ever are now going hungry—many of them for the first time.
“I’m used to being the one that helps people, not the one that needs help.”
In March, 24,000 Sonoma County families lost their CalFresh emergency benefits—a key resource that helped keep food on their tables each month. Benefits dropped to as low as $23 per month—a sum that did not go far even before inflation drove grocery prices through the roof. A perfect storm of plummeting government support and soaring prices is stretching our neighbors’ resources beyond thin.
That is where we come in. You may have seen us out in the community at one of our 350+ monthly food distributions across Sonoma County. Hunger is often hard to recognize, but it is there. Your neighbor down the street, the man at the next gas pump, the woman behind you in the checkout line—the burdens they face are often invisible.
But hunger is here, and Sonoma County needs help. In March and April alone we fed over 85,000 people across our county. This is an historical increase that doubled our services from this time last year. Our distributions continue to grow and feeding the need is costing more than ever.
We will continue to be here for Sonoma County. Through your generous support, we can ensure our neighbors not only have a well-rounded meal, but a much-needed sense of relief. The Redwood Empire Food Bank is Sonoma County’s food bank.
