Founded in 1968, the Emergency Food Bank (EFB) is the largest provider of packaged emergency food in San Joaquin County. Their mission is “to build a stronger community by providing a safety net of healthy food, nutrition education, and hope to residents of San Joaquin County who find themselves in need.” The Emergency Food Bank Main Pantry serves approximately 257 households per day. Open from 9am-12pm Monday through Friday, the Main Pantry provides emergency food assistance to San Joaquin County residents once a month. Because the EFB relies heavily on donations, food items that are available vary. Examples of food items the EFB may have are peanut butter, seasonal fruits and vegetables, rice, pasta, dairy products, and bread.
Along with providing San Joaquin residents with emergency food assistance, the EFB also holds classes in general nutrition education, healthy meal planning and food preparation. They are also partnered with other organizations, and regularly donate food products to numerous non-profit organizations and events. Every year, the EFB holds annual events in order to raise awareness of their organization, as well as gain financial support. For instance, every Thanksgiving morning, there is a Run & Walk Against Hunger event. Every July, there is the EFB Christmas in July event where there is a backpack giveaway for San Joaquin County students.
For more information on annual events and the EFB, visit their website here: Emergency Food Bank