Sponsorship Profile:

• Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB) is located in Sonoma County, the heart of the Northern California wine growing region and 30 miles north of San Francisco.  A mix of agricultural, suburban and remote costal communities, Sonoma County has a high cost of living that leaves many working families struggling to pay rent, medical bills and put food on the table.  Children make up the largest group of those at risk of hunger in the county. 

• REFB distributes 8.6 million pounds of food per year, serving 50,000 people monthly or the equivalent of 19,000 meals every day.  The food bank receives donated food through local food companies, farmers, retailers and community food drives; and through regional collaborations such as CAFB Farm to Family and America’s Second Harvest: The Nation’s Food Bank Network.

• In 2004 REFB realized that there were over 21,000 children in Sonoma County that received free or reduced price school lunch; but when the summer recess began these low-income children did not have access to the meals they depend on during the school year.  The food bank began their “call to action” to community partners, school districts and public officials with the Every Child, Every Day: Summer Hunger Initiative.  In 2005 REFB deepen its commitment to ending childhood hunger in Sonoma County and became a sponsor of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and the After-School Snack Pilot. 

To learn more click here...