Merced County Food Bank

The Merced County Food Bank is a non-profit agency that receives partial funding from the United Way of Merced County. The Merced County Food Bank provides much needed food to emergency food providers throughout Merced County.

The food bank is the result of a collaboration of local social service agencies, the Federal Emergency Food Services (FEMA) and local government officials that collectively formed a task force to examine the various issues involved. Through this collaboration, a coordinated effort among agencies has resulted in a central hub of food distribution. By coordinating the effort, food costs are reduced, less food goes to waste and it allows participating agencies to meet their needs - which are not always predictable. The concerted effort also was in response to a need for a centralized resource that made it convenient for participants to acquire their needs in one-stop thus reducing the cost of travel.

It is also the goal of the Merced County Food Bank to educate the community as to the issues of hunger. According to 2003 U.S. census poverty estimates , 42,640 people in Merced County (18.2% of the population) live below the poverty level. The Merced County Food Bank distributes food to emergency providers to feed approximately 4,385 people every month. Currently, only 10% of the need is being met.

In October of 2004, the Merced County Food Bank opened its doors to a new site providing 4,800 square feet of storage space with commercial freezer and refrigeration capacity.

Merced County Food Bank, Inc.
PO Box 1822
Winton, CA 95388
209-726-3663 (voice)
209-385-1492 (fax)
foodbankm@hughes.net