Food Bank
The Connected Living Food Bank Has Completed Its $1.8 Million Expansion
The The Dignity Health Connected Living Food Bank outgrew its space as the demand for food increased. To meet this growing need, the Food Bank Expansion was undertaken. This $1.8 million expansion increased the capacity while keeping all Food Bank operations in-house. Mercy Foundation North is proud to have funded $500,000 of this project.
The Food Bank facility was expanded by 4,000 square feet, including a walk-up counter and space for an in-house walk-in freezer. As Shasta County’s designated Food Bank, it serves 4,000-5,000 people monthly and distributes over 4 million pounds of food annually. In collaboration with 13 non-profit agencies, the Food Bank provides food to low-income families, seniors, and those with emergency food needs.
With twenty percent of the population of Shasta County facing food insecurity, this expansion was truly needed. While the grand opening was held on June 26, 2024, the Food Bank will always need your support to keep up with the high demand.
We know that alleviating hunger can strengthen the community as a whole. If anyone can do it, this community can! Make a gift today by calling Mercy Foundation North at (530) 247-3424 or clicking HERE.
William, a father
William is a single dad who is raising and homeschooling his two children while going through cancer treatment and kidney care. Because he is unable to work, he depends on the Food Bank's many distributions to get his family through the week. Without the Food Bank, he would not be able to feed his children.
“We are so grateful for all that these folks do. We would not be able to survive without the Food Bank. We come here every week, and everyone is so helpful. It is a life-saving system.”
He asked that his story be shared to spread the word on how valuable the Food Bank is to him, his family, and our community.
Gary, a veteran
Gary from Shasta County is a veteran who has been using Dignity Health Connected Living for years. He is on a fixed income, and without the Food Bank, he would not be able to get the nutritious foods he needs.
He drives to the distribution center early so he can chat with other clients in line. They have built their own little community and become friends with others in need of the camaraderie. He values all that the Food Bank does for his friends and him each week.
Joe, a director
And our own Executive Director of Connected Living, Joe Ayer, knows firsthand how valuable the Food Bank is.
Joe's mother was a single mom, raising three boys in the Sacramento Area. Living on assistance from the State and child support, she was still unable to make ends meet. Joe recalls often standing in the line at the Sacramento Food Bank, waiting for their weekly bag of groceries. He fondly remembers dry cereal being a special treat for him and his brothers (powdered milk being the least favorite).
Joe is living proof that as people are assisted with the basic necessity of food, they can take that help and turn it into a positive.