Additionally, the program encourages and engages member agencies in advocacy activities to promote public policies that alleviate hunger. The Alameda County Community Food Bank operates a toll free, countywide Hunger Hotline, connecting those in need with emergency food programs. Using a computerized referral system, trained staff and volunteers take calls from individuals and, based on the caller's zip code, make a referral to the nearest emergency food program. Over 300 callers are referred each month. Non-food program information such as Earned Income Credit and Healthy Families is also shared.
All Hotline information is available to callers in English and Spanish.
If you dial this number from another county in the San Francisco bay area, you will be connected to the food bank closest to you. The Nutrition Education Program allows the Food Bank's member agencies to make the best use of their limited resources for food. The Food Bank provides customized workshops, technical assistance and materials on food safety, menu-planning and nutrition issues. The program is designed to maximize the nutritional value, acceptability and cost effectiveness of food distributed to the low income community. The produce grown and donated through this program will be distributed throughout Alameda County to Food Bank member agencies that primarily serve low income youth, including social service organizations with day care, after school or summer programs.