California Free Food Banks. – Scroll down to find a county
Individuals in California can turn to a local food bank for free or low-cost meals, food and groceries. Many of the pantries near you that are listed below work with other local charities, churches, and non-profits in your county and town. Together the various groups and pantries in your county (which are listed below) distribute food, groceries, produce, dairy products, baby formula, and much more to anyone who needs help.
Find information on more food banks and pantries that operate in your local town, city, and county. Find the phone numbers and addresses of those pantries and programs that are more specific to your location.
| Alameda County | |
| Alameda County Community Food Bank | |
| 7900 Edgewater Drive | |
| Oakland, California | |
| Phone number – 510-635-3663 | |
| Alpine County | |
| Food Bank of El Dorado County | |
| 6230 Enterprise Drive | |
| Diamond Springs | |
| 530-621-9950 | |
| Free meals, groceries, and perishable items are offered by this center. | |
| Amador County | |
| Address: Interfaith Council of Amador County | |
| 12181 Airport Road | |
| Jackson, CA | |
| Call 209-267-9006 | |
| Butte County | |
| Community Action Agency of Butte County | |
| 2255 Del Oro Avenue | |
| Oroville | |
| Call 530-538-7559 for hours | |
| Calaveras County | |
| Resource Connection | |
| 206 George Reed Drive | |
| San Andreas, CA | |
| Phone number – 209-754-1257 | |
| Contra Costa County | |
| Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano | |
| Address of pantry – 4010 Nelson Avenue | |
| Concord, California | |
| 925-676-7543 | |
| The non-profit food distribution center works with charities, churches, and pantries in the northern portion of the state. Call them for referrals and information on other local and regional resources. | |
| Del Norte County | |
| Rural Human Services, Inc. | |
| 286 M Street Suite A | |
| Crescent City | |
| 707-464-7441 | |
| El Dorado County | |
| Food Bank of El Dorado County | |
| 6230 Enterprise Drive | |
| Diamond Springs | |
| Telephone – 530-621-9950 | |
| Eureka | |
| Primary phone – 707-445-3166 | |
| Programs are focused on low income families, seniors, and disabled. Meals, groceries, and emergency food boxes may be offered. | |
| Fresno County | |
| Community Food Bank | |
| 3403 E. Central Avenue | |
| Fresno | |
| 559-237-3663 | |
| Humboldt County | |
| Food for People, Inc. | |
| 307 West 14th Street | |
| Imperial County | |
| Imperial Valley Food Bank | |
| 329 Applestill Road | |
| El Centro | |
| Telephone – 760-370-0966 | |
| Inyo County | |
| Inyo/Mono Advocates For Community Action | |
| 224 South Main Street | |
| Bishop | |
| Dial 760-873-8557 | |
| Works with local pantries. Breads, rice, frozen foods, hot meals, and emergency boxes of food may all be served to the needy and low income. | |
| Kern County | |
| Community Action Partnership of Kern | |
| 300 19th Street | |
| Bakersfield | |
| Call 661-336-5236 | |
| The non-profit can help people apply for government aid and other support. Some of what may be offered includes Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, food boxes, groceries, and perishable food items. | |
| Kings County | |
| Kings County Community Action Organization | |
| Location is 1130 North 11th Avenue | |
| Hanford, California | |
| Call 559-582-4386 | |
| Lake County | |
| Clearlake Gleaners, Inc. | |
| Address: 1896 Big Valley Road | |
| Finley, CA | |
| Telephone – 707-263-8082 | |
| Lassen County | |
| Lassen County Council on Aging | |
| 1700 Sunkist Drive | |
| Susanville, CA | |
| 530-257-4884 | |
| Individuals over the age of 55, and their spouses, can turn to the aging office. Several recreation programs and services are available as well. Or get information on medical care and other aid. Applications may be available for low income energy bill assistance and programs such as Medicare. | |
| Los Angeles County | |
| Food Bank of Southern California | |
| Address: 1444 San Francisco Avenue | |
| Long Beach | |
| Call the non-profit at 562-435-3577 | |
| Works with other pantries, charities, and churches in southern California. Hot meals, free boxes of food, and other support is provided. Some basic needs such as household goods could be met. | |
| Los Angeles County | |
| Los Angeles Regional Food Bank | |
| 1734 East 41st Street | |
| Los Angeles | |
| 323-234-3030 | |
| The two LA County food banks above may serve more people than any other food bank in the nation. Call them for hours of food distribution, and get lists and phone numbers of local pantries. | |
| Madera County | |
| Madera County Food Bank | |
| 225 South Pine Street, Suite 101 | |
| Madera | |
| 559-674-1482 | |
| Marin County | |
| Marin Community Food Bank | |
| Location is 75 Digital Drive | |
| Novato, CA | |
| Call 415-883-1302 | |
| Mariposa County | |
| Merced County Food Bank, Inc. | |
| Address – 2000 West Olive | |
| Merced, California | |
| Main number – 209-726-3663 | |
| Mendocino County | |
| Mendocino Food and Nutrition Program, Inc. | |
| 910 North Franklin | |
| Fort Bragg, CA | |
| Main number is 707-964-9404 | |
| Merced County | |
| Merced County Food Bank, Inc. | |
| 2000 West Olive | |
| Merced | |
| 209-726-3663 | |
| Emergency food boxes, formula, vegetables, rice, and other food supplies are passed out. | |
| Modoc County | |
| Lassen County Council on Aging | |
| 1700 Sunkist Drive | |
| Susanville | |
| Call for hours and intake 530-257-4884 | |
| Mono County | |
| Inyo/Mono Advocates For Community Action | |
| 224 South Main Street | |
| Bishop | |
| 760-873-8557 | |
| Monterey County | |
| Food Bank for Monterey County | |
| Location is 815 West Market Street, #5 | |
| Salinas | |
| Main phone number is 831-758-1523 | |
| Napa County | |
| Community Action of Napa Valley | |
| 3273 Claremont Way, Suite 207 | |
| Napa, California | |
| 707-253-6100 | |
| Serves residents of northern California and the wine country. | |
| Nevada County | |
| Food Bank of Nevada County | |
| 587 Sutton Way | |
| Grass Valley | |
| Main phone number – 530-272-3796 | |
| Orange County | |
| Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County | |
| Location – 8014 Marine Way | |
| Irvine, California | |
| Telephone number is 949-653-2900 | |
| This non-profit works with churches and charities across Southern California. They provide those pantries with canned groceries, fresh fruits, rice, breads, and more. Those pantries they pass out the items to qualified clients. | |
| Orange County | |
| Community Action Partnership of Orange County | |
| Location is 11870 Monarch Street | |
| Garden Grove, CA | |
| 714-897-6670 | |
| Administer several social services and can provide referrals and other support. | |
| Placer County | |
| Community Resources Council | |
| 133 Church Street | |
| Roseville | |
| 916-783-0481 | |
| Call for food, or information on local resources and assistance programs. Works with local charities such as the Salvation Army or community action agencies in California. | |
| Riverside County | |
| Second Harvest Food Bank | |
| serving Riverside and San Bernardino Counties | |
| 2950-B Jefferson Street | |
| Riverside | |
| 951-359-4757 | |
| Tens of thousands of Inland Empire California families receive help from this location every year. It distributes food, meats, canned goods, and government commodities. Also learn about holidays meals, and get information on public assistance like CalFresh. | |
| Sacramento County | |
| California Food Bank of Sacramento | |
| 5800 Foodlink Street | |
| Sacramento, CA | |
| Telephone – 916-387-9000 | |
| This center supports the low income and working poor. Ask about applications for food stamps, Cal-Fresh, or get referrals to soup kitchens and pantries. Senior citizens can inquire into regional Meals on Wheels programs too. | |
| San Bernardino County | |
| The Community Food Bank of San Benito County | |
| Location of center is 1133 San Felipe Road | |
| Hollister, CA | |
| Call 831-637-0340 | |
| San Bernardino County | |
| Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County | |
| 696 S. Tippecanoe Avenue | |
| San Bernardino, California | |
| Main phone number – 909-723-1500 | |
| Not only has information on food pantries, but may be able to coordinate financial assistance, housing, and other forms of aid for the needy. | |
| San Diego County | |
| San Diego Food Bank | |
| 9850 Distribution Avenue | |
| San Diego | |
| 858-527-1419 | |
| San Francisco County | |
| San Francisco Food Bank | |
| 900 Pennsylvania Avenue | |
| San Francisco | |
| Call 415-282-1907 | |
| The very low income, homeless, and others from the region turn to the center for free meals, clothing, and more. However they will more than likely receive referrals and other support. | |
| San Joaquin County | |
| San Joaquin County Human Services Agency | |
| 2736 North Teepee Dr, Suite C | |
| Stockton | |
| Call 209-468-0982 | |
| San Luis Obispo County | |
| Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County | |
| Address is 2212 Golden Hill Road | |
| Paso Robles | |
| Phone – 805-238-4664 | |
| Snacks for students and children, specialty meals for seniors, formula, and more may be served. The center can refer residents to emergency food assistance programs in the region as well. | |
| San Mateo County | |
| Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara/San Mateo | |
| 750 Curtner Avenue | |
| San Jose | |
| Call 408-266-8866 | |
| Santa Barbara County | |
| Food Bank of Santa Barbara | |
| 4554 Hollister | |
| Santa Barbara | |
| 805-967-5741 | |
| Santa Clara County | |
| Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara/San Mateo | |
| 750 Curtner Avenue | |
| San Jose, CA | |
| Phone number is 408-266-8866. | |
| Low income families can be provided free groceries, produce, applications to CalFresh and other assistance from the organization. More information on Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo. | |
| Santa Cruz. | |
| Second Harvest Food Bank Serving Santa Cruz | |
| 800 Ohlone | |
| Watsonville, CA | |
| Main phone number is 831-722-7110 | |
| Shasta and Tehama County | |
| Shasta Senior Nutrition Programs, Inc. | |
| 100 Mercy Oaks Drive | |
| Redding | |
| Telephone – 530-226-3060 | |
| As the name implies, focuses its resources on the elderly, homebound, and senior citizens in the region. Some programs include Meals on Wheels, healthy meals, congregate meals and more. | |
| Siskiyou County | |
| Great Northern Corporation | |
| 780 South Davis Street | |
| Weed | |
| Main phone number is 530-938-1502 | |
| Solano County | |
| Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano | |
| 4010 Nelson Avenue | |
| Concord | |
| 925-676-7543 | |
| Sonoma County. | |
| Redwood Empire Food Bank | |
| 3320 Industrial Drive | |
| Santa Rosa | |
| 707-523-7900 | |
| Stanislaus County | |
| Salvation Army Modesto Citadel | |
| Address: 600 Janopaul Way | |
| Modesto, California | |
| 209-522-3209 | |
| A leading social service organization for the region. Free Christmas meals and gifts may be offered for children. Easter and Thanksgiving food baskets, a pantry, and more is available as well. Occasional funding or vouchers for bills or items like school supplies may be provided too. | |
| Sutter County | |
| Yuba/Sutter Gleaners Food Bank, Inc. | |
| 760 Stafford Way | |
| Yuba City | |
| 530-673-3834 | |
| Shasta and Tehama County | |
| Tehama County Gleaners | |
| Location of pantry is 13105 Coyote Lane | |
| Red Bluff, California | |
| 530-527-1795 | |
| Trinity County | |
| Trinity County Food Assistance Program | |
| Food pantry address – 9069 3rd Street | |
| Weaverville | |
| Telephone – 530-623-5409 | |
| Tulare County | |
| Foodlink for Tulare County | |
| 7427 West Sunnyview | |
| Visalia, CA | |
| 559-651-3663 | |
| Hot meals, lunches, breakfast and more may be served. Or get a box of groceries. All supplies are limited and come with income and other restrictions. They will try not to turn anyone away. | |
| Tuolumne County | |
| Amador/Tuolumne Community Action Agency, Inc. | |
| Address – 935 South State Highway 49 | |
| Jackson | |
| 209-223-1485 | |
| Ventura County | |
| Food Share Inc. of Ventura County | |
| 4156 North Southbank Road | |
| Oxnard, CA | |
| 805-983-7100 | |
| Works with a number of local churches and non-profits. Programs are focused on immigrants and Hispanics too. Call the center for free food or vouchers. Can also refer people to other local social service agencies in California, or clothing closets. | |
| Yolo County. | |
| Food Bank of Yolo County | |
| Address: 1244 Fortna Street | |
| Woodland | |
| 530-668-0690 | |
| Some of what may be served includes baby formula, household and basic needs such as diapers, free groceries, fruits, and perishable items. Donate or volunteer at the free pantry if you can. | |
| Yuba County | |
| Yuba/Sutter Gleaners Food Bank, Inc. | |
| 760 Stafford Way | |
| Yuba City, CA | |
| Main number is 530-673-3834 | |
Locations of more California free food banks
If you are not having any success with the California food banks listed above, or need information on other pantries near you, individuals and families who need further support can dial 866-321-4435 for more information or locations.
By Jon McNamara
https://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/california_food_banks.html