FOOD PANTRY

MISSION

We are an emergency food source for low-income families or individuals and an agency partner of the Alameda County Community Food Bank (ACCFB). Along with ACCFB, we believe that food is a basic right and embrace the concept that no one should have to worry where their next meal will come from. 

PROGRAMS

THURSDAY EVENING DISTRIBUTION

Federal and county emergency food programs provide a bag of shelf stable groceries (as well as fresh produce, meat, bread and other groceries as available) to individuals and families who live in Alameda County. Recipients can receive food on the first and third Thursday of the month. The distribution takes place from 6:30-7:30PM.

EMERGENCY REFERRALS

We accept referrals from ACCFB and other agencies/organizations. Food orders are packed with enough food for two days and are ready to pick up within 24 hours.

ACCFB’s website is www.accfb.org and their phone number is 510-635-3663

THANKSGIVING FOOD BASKETS

Volunteers pack and distribute 200 to 220 food baskets each year. Sign-ups for Thanksgiving Baskets take place the last two distributions in October and the first distribution of November.

PANTRY NEWS

FOOD PANTRY VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED

As the need in our community grows, so does the need for volunteers to make it all happen! By year’s end we estimate that we will have distributed over 81,000 pounds of food to 2,300 families and 9,200 people, so if you want to help us out check out our volunteer opportunities below.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

THANKSGIVING FOOD BASKETS

Volunteers purchase food items, pack boxes and help distribute food.

THURSDAY DISTRIBUTION

Help check in our clients, pack food bags, monitor the tables of food items, or hand the bags of packed food to our clients who come between 6:30-7:30PM

BAGEL BRIGADE

The Bagel Brigade collects on Thursday afternoons excess bagels from a local baker, return them to the Pantry, and bag the bagels for distribution.

FOOD DRIVES

On a rotating schedule, each Wednesday evening between April and October, volunteers go to the San Leandro Farmers Market to pick up produce donated to the Pantry by the various farmers/vendors. This produce is distributed on Thursday evenings.

Organizations (i.e., Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts; members of Faith Lutheran) gather food and donate it to the food pantry.

PICK/HARVEST FRUIT

There are times when we receive a call that someone has fruit to donate to the pantry, but it needs to be picked/harvested.

WANT TO HELP?

Volunteer to help at our Thursday evening distributions. Please contact us by either calling the church office at (510) 582-0818, and leave your name and phone number, or email us at Food Pantry.

Drop off non-perishable food at the church Monday through Friday, and Sunday mornings.

If you would like to make a monetary donation to the Food Pantry, you can donate either online by clicking on Giving in the menu at www.flccv.org, and select option 1, or by USPS mail c/o Faith Lutheran Church, 20080 Redwood Rd., Castro Valley, CA 94546.

DID YOU KNOW?

By year’s end we estimate that we will have distributed over 81,000 pounds of food to 2,300 families and 9,200 people, so if you want to help us out check out our volunteer opportunities below.

FUTURE PLANS

Help us plan the future of our Pantry in meeting the needs of our local community. Become a volunteer, raise your voice for those who cannot, and help chart the future course of our Pantry. Everyone is welcome; all input is encouraged, and your voice is important.