Frequently Asked Questions

• About Hunger
• About Helping
• About Our Organization

About Hunger

Q. Why are so many people hungry?

There are many reasons that people find themselves at risk of hunger. The recession has taken a particularly hard toll on the working poor – those with low-paying jobs in the agriculture and hospitality industries. In Monterey County, the cost of living is high, including housing, utility and transportation, leaving little room in household budgets for food.

In addition to providing food, the Food Bank works with those in need through advocacy and education about government assistance programs.

Q. Does hunger really exist in Monterey County?

According to the 2010 Hunger Study conducted in Monterey County,an estimated 88,700 different people are now served annually by the Food Bank for Monterey County—one-fifth of Monterey County’s population. Every week we serve approximately 10,800 people. The last hunger study (2005), reported 55,300 different people served annually and 4,900 weekly.

Hunger is not a new issue, but it now has a new story. As the unemployment rate has climbed, thousands who never dreamed they would need help from a food bank are now for the first time unable to put food on the table, in the wake of the recession’s layoffs, lost savings and other financial hardships. The people we serve cannot afford to put food on the table and pay their bills:

• 50% choose between food and paying rent or mortgage
• 48% choose between paying for food or utilities
• 40% choose between food and medical care
• 38% choose between food and transportation

Q. How much food is distributed?

We serve 90,000 Monterey County households and distribute 6 million pounds of food each year.

Q. How does the Food Bank for Monterey County define poverty?

Poverty and hunger are directly correlated and the Food Bank has found that those who live in poverty are at risk of or suffering from hunger. The official federal poverty level for a family of three is a household income of $1711 monthly for food bank programs.

The Food Bank defines poverty based upon 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. This means that a household may earn up to 150% of the U.S. government’s standard of poverty and still be considered “in poverty.”

Q. How does the Food Bank help those who are hungry in Monterey County?

We collect, store, and distribute food through our two countywide direct distribution programs, the Emergency Food Assistance Program and the Family Market, and the Agency Clearinghouse, a network of 90 non-profit agencies that rely on the Food Bank as their primary food resource.

Q. Can the hungry get food directly from the Food Bank?

Yes. The Food Bank’s West Market Street site is open from 1PM-3PM every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for walk-in service. If you or someone you know needs emergency food assistance, call us on weekdays at 831-758-1523 from 7:30AM-4:30PM. For 24-hour assistance with all Monterey County social service referrals, call 211.

Q. How does the Food Bank acquire food?

Food is sourced from manufacturers, retailers, distributors, grocers, growers, processors, the food industry, U.S.D.A., Feeding America and from community food drives, such as the holiday food drive, and the postal food drive.

Q. Does the Food Bank charge for food?

The Food Bank does not charge for food nor do our member agencies charge for food. Member agencies do pay a shared maintenance charge of 19¢ per pound that helps offset the cost of handling and delivery. Shared maintenance fees, paid in accordance with IRS rule 170 (e) 3, help defray warehousing costs. There is no shared maintenance charge for fresh foods, such as produce and bread. Feeding America requires us to charge the fee.

Q. What are the main programs of the Food Bank?

Agency Clearinghouse Program

The Agency Clearinghouse is a network of 90 Monterey County non-profit agencies that rely on the Food Bank as their primary food resource to provide food assistance that serve the elderly, chronically ill, homeless, unemployed and working poor. Member agencies include churches’ food outreach ministries; emergency food pantries; soup kitchens; services to the homebound; homeless shelters; rehabilitation centers; residential treatment programs; youth and senior programs.

Emergency Food Assistance Program

The Emergency Food Assistance Program is the largest direct distribution program at the Food Bank, and most comprehensive source for emergency supplemental food throughout Monterey County. This program serves families monthly at 25 sites countywide, from South County to Pajaro. Food distributions usually occur in the parking lot of a local church or community building.

Volunteers distribute the food bags containing U.S.D.A. commodities including rice, beans, canned tuna (or other protein food), canned fruit, canned vegetables, bread and other donated foods.

Family Market Program

The Family Market is the Food Bank’s answer to dwindling traditional food supplies and growing health concerns among our service population, specifically diabetes and obesity. It operates like a Farmers’ Market, only without charge. Based on self-selection of the food families like and need, there are no pre-packed bags that may include either insufficient or overabundant quantities. Each of the ten Family Market sites serves between 200 – 400 people; each household receives approximately 50 pounds of food.

Q. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?

A food bank solicits, collects, stores, repackages and distributes large quantities of food to direct food service programs. A food pantry provides food directly to those in need who may have a place to live, but not enough to eat. Food pantries are an important source of emergency food for the working poor.

Q. What is the difference between a food bank and a soup kitchen?

A soup kitchen prepares food provided by the Food Bank into hot, nutritious meals for those in need. For many people, the soup kitchen provides their only hot meal of the day. In Monterey County, we have Dorothy’s kitchen, Pajaro Rescue Mission and Salvation Army.

Q. Is safe food handling an issue for the Food Bank?

Our warehouse is inspected by Feeding America and its major national corporate donors. All volunteers and Agency Clearinghouse Member agencies are trained and reviewed regularly by food bank staff.

About Helping

Q. How much of my donation goes directly to feeding the hungry?

Ninety-five cents of every dollar donated goes directly toward feeding those who suffer from hunger.

Q. How many people will I feed with my donation?

For every dollar donated to the Food Bank for Monterey County we are able to distribute eight dollars worth of food to hungry people.

Q. Is the Food Bank a nonprofit 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) organization?

Yes. The Food Bank for Monterey County is a nonprofit 501 © (3) organization. All donations are tax deductible.

Q. Where does the Food Bank for Monterey County get funding?

We receive support from many different sources including donations from individuals, corporations and foundations, as well as the United Way.

About Our Organization

Q. What is the purpose of the Food Bank for Monterey County?

The Food Bank for Monterey County is the largest provider of emergency supplemental food in Monterey County. Our mission is “to lead community efforts in the awareness and elimination of hunger in Monterey County.” The food bank solicits, collects, stores, and redistributes food to individuals as well as non profit agencies that serve the aged, ill, and needy.

The Food Bank for Monterey County is a member of Feeding America, the national network of food banks and the largest domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States.

Q. Where is the Food Bank for Monterey County located?

The main office and warehouse is located at 815 West Market Street, #5, Salinas, California, 93901.

Q. What is the Food Bank facility like?

The Food Bank operates a 23,000-sq.ft. warehouse at 815 West Market Street in Salinas where food is collected, stored and prepared for distribution. The warehouse is equipped with two walk-in coolers and a large freezer. We welcome community members for tours with prior arrangement.

Q. What area do you serve?

Distribution of food is countywide.

Q. How is the Food Bank for Monterey County staffed?

The Food Bank has 16 full-time and two part-time staff members.

Q. How many volunteers does the Food Bank have?

On average, more than 500 volunteers monthly help sort, pack, deliver, and distribute food.

Q. How is the Food Bank governed?

A voluntary board of directors, made up of representatives from throughout the county, meets monthly to make policy decisions and oversee Food Bank operations.

Q. Why should I support the Food Bank?

By giving to the Food Bank for Monterey County, you are helping the area’s most needy children, families and seniors with a basic human need – food.

In a nation as rich as ours, it is inconceivable that anyone should go hungry. In what is sometimes referred to as “the Salad Bowl of the World,” 20,000 children under age 18 live in poverty.

The working poor are the backbone of many businesses and significantly contribute to Monterey County’s productivity and prosperity. They live in households where typically at least one adult works, but struggles to pay for rent, utilities, health care and food. However, many of these Americans go home after a long, hard day of work and often find them selves unable to meet the most basic needs of their families. Your donation will support our efforts to alleviate hunger in Monterey County only.

Q. What can I do to help?

Donate food

Peanut butter, beans, rice, canned fruit and vegetables are items that we especially need, though any food item is appreciated. Visit our Virtual Food Drive on the Web at www.food4hungry.org, or organize a food drive with your club, school, or workplace. Companies can donate excess, distressed, or unsalable products to the Food Bank. Product integrity is assured through strict standards of food safety, product handling, and inventory control.

Donate money

For every $1 donation, the Food Bank is able to distribute $8 worth of food.

• Annual giving – Gifts of any amount are always welcome.
• Monthly Giving – Partners Ending Hunger is our monthly giving program which allows you to commit to a regular contribution that is paid automatically by checking account, credit card or online bill pay.
• Bequests – Our Legacy Partners are individuals who have made a commitment to the Food Bank in their will. Please contact us if you need additional information on naming the Food Bank for Monterey County in your estate plans.

Volunteer. The Food Bank has a number of different volunteer opportunities, from packing food in the warehouse, distributing to sites, and assisting with varied office tasks, including bulk mailings and data entry. Please call us at 831-758-1523, or visit us on the Web at www.food4hungry.org, to find out more.

Contact the Food Bank for Monterey County:

The Food Bank for Monterey County
815 West Market Street, #5, Salinas, CA 93901
Phone (831) 758-1523 • Fax (831) 758-5925
food4hungry.org