Local Food Banks in Need of Donations Over Holiday Season

While families around the Bay Area prepare for a Thanksgiving feast, the Alameda County Food Bank says that demand for food donations is at an all-time high.  

"Our food bank serves one in six residents in our community, and the need continues to grow," Executive Director Suzan Bateson said this week. "Food banks rely heavily on businesses and individual contributors
to help meet growing demand," she said.

The winter holidays can be a harsh time for hungry families, but food banks and soup kitchens provide traditional holiday meals as well as everyday food items throughout the season. 

The Alameda County Community Food Bank receives the majority of its donations this time of year, according to Communications Manager Michael Altfest, making the holiday season a time to stock up for the coming months.

"This is our critical time," said Altfest, who added that the ability for the agency to serve the community in the coming year depends on donations throughout the holiday season.

"Hunger does not stop at thanksgiving," said Altfest. "We are always in need of high quality, non-perishible food items, whether for the holiday or for people to use year round."

Monetary donations are also needed, said Altfest, with the food bank able to distribute $5 worth of food for every dollar donated. Grab a virtual shopping cart and donate online through the virtual food drive. Alternatively, drop off goods in one of the donation barrels at local grocery stores.

The following is a list of the most needed food drive items, according to the Alameda County Community Food Bank:

• Canned Fruit & Vegetables
• Canned Meats and Fish
• Peanut Butter
• Pasta
• Beans
• Rice
• Canned Soup (low-salt)
• Low-sugar Cereal and Oatmeal
• Tomato Sauce
• Powdered Milk

The Alameda County Community Food Bank collects donations in Berkeley at  and , as well as  on Claremont Avenue. 

The food bank works with 275 agencies throughout the county, serving 49,000 people per week, and and has been distributing holiday food boxes for the past few weeks to help the hungry over Thanksgiving. 

People in need of food throughout Thanksgiving and the winter holidays can call the Alameda County Food Bank's holiday helpline at 1-800-FOOD (3663), where they will be referred to a food pantry or soup kitchen in the area.

In Berkeley, the serves breakfast six mornings a week (Mon-Sat) in two shifts (5 a.m.-6:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.) year-round, including holidays. Call (510) 466-5553 for more information. 

The is open Monday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.m but will be closed for the rest of this week throughout Thanksgiving until Monday, Nov. 28.