Looking for Help?
Our Eureka Choice Pantry has moved home!
- Location: 307 W 14th Street, Eureka (at the corner of 14th & Summer Streets)
- Hours of operation: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 10 am-4pm (Closed 12:30 - 1:30)
- Phone: (707) 445-3166.
More About the Choice Pantry
The Eureka Choice Pantry provides income-eligible community members with access to healthy and nutritious foods. Our system emphasizes both choice and a balanced diet. People “shop” through their food selection process much like they would in a grocery store, rather than receiving pre-packaged bags.
While the specific selection of food will vary from month to month, items from each nutritional food group (dairy, protein, grains, fruits, vegetables) are always represented. The choice system helps families to go home with the foods that they need and like while leaving behind items that they will not use, so none goes to waste. Volunteers and staff members are available to help shoppers with any questions about food groups, ingredients or Nutrition Facts labels. We even include recipe cards and taste tests throughout the pantry, to help shoppers with cooking ideas for healthy meals and snacks.
To reach our Choice Pantry Coordinator directly, email @email.
Our Choice Pantry primarily serves residents of Eureka. There are 20 other pantries located throughout the county, and each one is intended to serve its nearby community members. Click here to view a complete list of all Humboldt County food pantries.
Each household may “shop” in the Choice Pantry once per calendar month. To access pantry commodity foods, households must meet the following monthly income guidelines:
- Household of 1 = $2,885.25
- Household of 2 = $3,861.83
- Household of 3 = $4,868.42
- Household of 4 = $5,875.00
- Household of 5 = $6,881.58
- Household of 6 = $7,888.17
- Household of 7 = $8,894.75
- Household of 8 = $9,901.33
- Over 8 = Add $1,006.59 each
*guidelines updated March 2023
How do I make an appointment in the Choice Pantry?
1. COME IN OR CALL THE PANTRY
Call or stop by the Choice Pantry (307 W. 14th Street, Eureka) to pre-schedule an appointment for the current week. A receptionist will be available to schedule your appointment.
As available, appointment times will be offered within our regular Choice Pantry distribution hours. Days and hours the Choice Pantry is open are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 10am-4pm (closed from 12:30 - 1:30)
Please bring bags from home with you to your appointment, as our bag resources are low.
If you are physically unable to get to the pantry, another option is to fill out a proxy form or note that gives someone specific permission to pick up food on your behalf. When someone picks up for you, either this form (click here to download) must be used OR a hand-written note that contains the same info, which includes: Date, name of person food is for, name of person who has permission to pick up the food, signature, address, zip code, number of people in household. We will share a Spanish version of the form when it is available to us from the State.
2. COME IN AT YOUR PRE-SCHEDULED APPOINMENT TIME
Check in with the receptionist at your appointment time.
3. INTAKE & SHOPPING
You'll meet with an intake volunteer briefly to check in for your appointment, and then get started on shopping with a shopping cart in our pantry--just like in a grocery store.
Need some assistance with your CalFresh application?
Appointments with our helpful staff CalFresh Outreach staff can be conveniently scheduled ahead of time with our Outreach staff, just before or after your appointment in the Choice Pantry. A separate appointment date and time for CalFresh assistance can also be arranged. Email @email or call (707) 445-3166 and press extension 308 or 318 to make a CalFresh appointment. Click here to read more about our CalFresh Outreach program and learn about eligibility, the application process and how to get started.
Choice Pantry Experiences
“Thank you for your happy helpful spirit and good nutrition. And thanks for walking me through.”
“Keep up the good work. I cannot express my personal gratitude to you all for the work you do, so I will say “Thank you very much.”
“Thank you for all your wonderful work and amazing service to the community. There have been many months that my family would have gone without food if it wasn’t for Food for People. All of your volunteers and employees always have a bright and sunny disposition. Again, thank you!”
Volunteer opportunities
Interested in volunteering in the Choice Pantry? We have many positions available such as: receptionist, intake interviewer, shoppers’ helper, and warehouse assistant. Click here to visit our volunteer information page, and find out about these and many other volunteer opportunities