How to Access Program Services

Food Bank:
Direct distribution of food boxes takes place on Wednesdays and Fridays at our facility located at 307 W. 14th Street in Eureka. It is open to individuals from any community in Humboldt County, although affiliation with your local pantry (if there is one) is preferred. Clients must call after 9:00 A.M. for an appointment on the day of the distribution. We do not schedule appointments in advance. Appointments are available between 12:30 and 4:00 P.M. Individuals who wish to receive a food box must meet with an interviewer to review /update household information. Valid form of identification including birth dates is required for all members of the household for whom you are requesting food. Income eligibility guidelines apply, although the process is self-certification. Please note that demand is heavy towards the end of the month so it is important to call early in the day to make sure we can accommodate you.

Senior Brown Bag:
Application form is required and eligibility is based on income. Communities served include Arcata, Eureka, Blue Lake, Bridgeville, McKinleyville, Fortuna, Rio Dell, Trinidad, Hoopa, Weitchpec, Willow Creek, Orleans, Orick and Redway. Program is currently closed with a waiting list.  Contact person is Tyler Smith.

Homebound Delivery:
Application is required and participants are accepted on a referral basis from local hospitals, discharge planners, home health workers, etc. Service is also limited to communities in which we have volunteers available to deliver food boxes. Contact person is Tyler Smith.

Children's Summer Lunch Program:
This program is offered June through August at established sites county-wide. The site list is revised each year so it is advisable to call in May or early June for a current list. Sack lunches are provided for children only (no parents).  Contact person is Mary Darcy.

Afterschool Snack Program:
This program is offered throughout the school year at established sites county-wide. The site list is revised each year so it is advisable to call  for a current list. Snacks are provided for children only (no parents).  Contact person is Mary Darcy.

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP):
Age and income eligibility requirements apply. Applicants should be prepared to provide valid identification and proof of income. Please call for information specific to the application process. Seniors may be certified for up to one year, while children and pregnant/ postpartum women may be certified for a 6 month period. Contact person is Tyler Smith.

Work Readiness Program:
Participants are accepted on a referral basis only. Program is designed to prepare the individual for successful placement in the job market.

Community Garden:
Plots of land at our garden site off Henderson Street in Eureka are available for a small annual fee on a first come, first serve basis. We have also been able to provide a limited amount of seeds and gardening workshops, as needed.  Currently, we have no garden plots available. Contact person is Katie Harbaugh.

Community Education and Outreach Program:
Food for People’s hunger relief efforts include a focus on promoting access to state and federal nutrition assistance programs such as food stamps, WIC, the USDA commodity programs and the school nutrition programs that are designed to help low income households expand their resources for nutritious food. Our Food Stamp Access Outreach Project advocates for the elimination of bureaucratic barriers to food stamps for individuals, working families and seniors. Hands on training on program criteria and the application process are offered to interested individuals and professionals in the community. Community education materials and activities are also provided for children and adults of all ages to help provide insight into the tough decisions low income households face daily when trying to obtain adequate nutrition. Cooking and nutrition classes are scheduled on a regular basis at the food bank. Please contact Deborah Waxman for more information.

Non-profit Food Network :
The Nonprofit Food Network allows local nonprofit organizations providing residential, rehabilitation, or afterschool programs to access food obtained through the America's Second Harvest network at a low, per pound cost. Food must be used by programs serving only low-income children and adults.  There is a minimum monthly purchase amount and an annual fee for up to two sites.  Process includes an application form and initial site review, followed by annual site monitorings.  Contact person is Anne Holcomb.