FAQ
What is River City Food Bank?
Where does the money come from to operate River City Food Bank?
Why is River City Food Bank needed, if there are other food banks?
How is the face of hunger changing?
Does food assistance encourage dependence?
What does RCFB provide to people who are looking for food assistance?
Who is eligible to receive food assistance from RCFB?
How can volunteers get involved?
How can an organization sponsor a food drive?
How can people donate to River City Food Bank?
How much of each donated dollar goes to overhead?
Does River City Food Bank coordinate its activities with other charitable organizations?
Is River City Food Bank affiliated with a church?
What is River City Food Bank?
A community-based 501 (c)(3) that serves anyone experiencing hunger, from anywhere in Sacramento County. RCFB offers a nutritionally-balanced three-day emergency food supply up to once a month to those who are eligible. River City Food Bank is the only Sacramento-area food bank that is open every weekday to anyone who lives in Sacramento County.
Where does the money come from to operate River City Food Bank?
River City Food Bank is funded almost entirely by private donations and grants. Our supporters include businesses, community groups, foundations, and individuals, as well as a large number of faith-based organizations. Senior Gleaners and Sacramento FoodLink help supply RCFB with food, along with businesses that provide day-old items, frozen food and fresh fruits and vegetables. Individuals and groups can help by donating non-perishable food, fresh fruits and vegetables and formula, baby food and diapers for families with infants and young children. Cash donations and grocery gift cards are also important to help fill out RCFB’s stock of nutritionally-balanced groceries.
Why is River City Food Bank needed, if there are other food banks?
River City Food Bank is different in two important ways. First, we are the only food closet that operates every weekday to provide nutritionally balanced food to people who live anywhere in Sacramento county. Most food closets serve a very limited geographic area defined by zip codes. Several food closets, for example, serve the downtown area, but recent data collected by the prominent Brookings Institution shows that there are as many poor people now living in suburbs as there are in inner cities (even though the percentage is higher in central cities). As another point of difference, we put a lot of effort into trying to provide a three day supply of nutritionally balanced food. It’s easy to send someone away with bags full of carbohydrates, but we are trying to provide food that is healthy and more nutritious — food that is fuel for children who are growing and in school, and fuel for hard-working adults! We often provide recipes, too, in case someone hasn’t used a particular ingredient that we supplied.
How is the face of hunger changing?
When the recession began, the number of people looking for food assistance jumped. The need for help continues to grow, but now we see people who have never needed help before. Their hours or pay has been cut and they are taking advantage of food banks so that they can keep up with rent and utilities. Seniors, too, are facing the brutal choice of paying for life-sustaining medication or getting enough to eat. Hunger is often associated with homelessness, but the reality is that people who experience hunger are young and old, suburban and urban, working and non-working. One in six children in America live at the poverty line – which the federal government defines as a having income below $22,050 for a family of four. About 30 percent of the meals distributed by River City Food Bank goes to feed children.
Does food assistance encourage dependence?
The assistance given by River City Food Bank is intended to foster self-sufficiency, by helping someone get through a rough time. Many of the people who seek our help have been keeping their heads above water until recently. Three-day emergency food supplies from River City Food Bank can help people get by, so that they can remain independent. A little help, and a little compassion, can make a big difference.
What does RCFB provide to people who are looking for food assistance?
A family or individual who reports income at or below the poverty line can receive a three-day supply of nutritionally-balanced food up to once a month from our location on 28th Street, between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. each weekday. Families with small children also receive non-food items such as diapers, baby food and formula.
Who is eligible to receive food assistance from RCFB?
Anyone who lives in Sacramento County and reports that they or their dependents are living at or below the federal poverty line. Adults are asked to show photo identification and medical IDs or birth certificates for all dependents.
How can volunteers get involved?
RCFB volunteers contribute 11,000 hours to stock food, prepare three-day food supplies, help with client intake and computer data-entry, and support administrative activities and education. Most volunteer opportunities are on weekdays. Click here for many ways to volunteer. Send an email regarding your interest and we will get in touch with you.
How can an organization sponsor a food drive?
We’ll work with you according to what works best for your organization. Contact us to discuss how your organization can help.
How can people donate to River City Food Bank?
Consider joining our Circle of Friends by making a recurring secure online donation of $25 a month, but any gift, in any amount, is welcomed and needed! You can make a secure donation online, over the phone, by fax or by mail. You also can give gifts in-kind, or stocks, equities or other assets.
How much of each donated dollar goes to overhead?
Only 13% goes to overhead, according to the methodology used by United Way, putting River City Food Bank well below the 25% ceiling recommended by United Way and the federal government.
Does River City Food Bank coordinate its activities with other charitable organizations?
Yes. River City Food Bank believes in collaborating as a way of avoiding duplication of effort. Currently, RCFB provides monthly “Food for Fun” nutritional classes using common food closet staples in collaboration with CARES.
Is River City Food Bank affiliated with a church?
RCFB is not operated by a church organization, although it receives generous support from many. The organization was started by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in the downtown area, and then was headquartered at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. Until 1997, it was affiliated with Episcopal Community Services. For more than 10 years, RCFB has been an independent 501 (c)(3) organization.
