Message from Board Chair & Food Bank CEO
In 2024, we faced rising needs as more individuals and families turned to the Emergency Food Bank for assistance. On a daily basis, we served an increasing number of clients, each with their own story of hardship and hope. On average we saw upwards of 500 vehicles within a 3-hour time period every Monday thru Friday, at our main food pantry on Scotts Avenue in Stockton. The economic climate has presented obstacles for many in our community. We helped our clients to scale each hurdle by expanding our programs. We grew our reach by executing our Food As Medicine programs and growing our Mobile Farmers Market sites to reach “85 food desert” sites throughout the County Cash and product donations to the Food Bank have declined, making our work even more demanding. Yet, in the face of these challenges, we have risen to the occasion with determination and creativity.
Thanks to the dedication of our Food Bank team, volunteers, and partners, we have continued to meet the growing needs of those we serve. By streamlining operations, seeking out new partnerships, and maximizing every resource, we have ensured that no one in our community goes hungry. Your generosity - whether through time, donations, or advocacy - has been the backbone of this effort.
Looking ahead to 2025, we are filled with hope and optimism. With your continued support, we will tackle the challenges that lie ahead and build upon our successes. Together, we can create a stronger, more food-secure community.
Thank you for standing with us. Here’s to a successful and impactful year ahead. With gratitude,
Don Ruhstaller Board Chair
Leonard Hansen CEO
Program SpotlightFood as Medicine
In recent years, the understanding of the role nutrition plays in overall health has grown significantly. At the heart of this evolution is the concept of Food as Medicine - the idea that what we eat directly impacts our ability to prevent, manage, and even reverse chronic illnesses. Conditions like diabetes and hypertension are often exacerbated by limited access to healthy, affordable options. By integrating the principles of Food as Medicine into our programs, we are helping individuals reclaim their health and improve their quality of life.
Our programs Nutrition Education programs, Power Hour, Healthy Food RX, and Building Better Habits, have demonstrated the transformative power of combining food access with healthy-focused education.
As we reflect on our progress, we remain steadfast in our belief that food is a cornerstone to preventative care. Together with our community partners and donors, we are not just feeding people; we are nurturing healthier futures.
Program SpotlightMobile Farmers Market
18 years ago, we launched the Mobile Farmers Market (MFM) - the first of its kind in San Joaquin County - with a vision to combat food insecurity and improve community health. Today, that vision is thriving. Serving 85 sites across the region, the MFM remains a lifeline for individuals and families living in food desert areas, where access to fresh, nutritious produce is limited.
In 2024, the Mobile Farmers Market distributed an incredible 486,664 pounds of produce and served 35,021 people, ensuring that healthy food reached those who need it most. But the MFM is about more than just food delivery. At each stop, a nutrition educator provides valuable guidance, offering easy, budget-friendly recipes and at times, live cooking demonstrations. These resources empower individuals and families to make sustainable, health-focused changes in their diets and lifestyles.
For nearly two decades, this program has been a beacon of hope in San Joaquin County, helping to reduce the burden of chronic illnesses linked to poor nutrition. Its success is made possible by the generous support of our community.
Volunteers
Volunteers are indispensable to the Emergency Food Bank. Our volunteers work alongside us to support neighbors facing food insecurity. In the past year, volunteers dedicated an incredible 28,913 hours to the Food Bank, equivalent to the work of 11 full-time employees! With only 22 staff members at the Food Bank, this contribution significantly enhances our ability to serve those in need.
Volunteers undertake a wide variety of tasks at the Food Bank. These include repacking large produce donations into family-sized portions, preparing food boxes, assembling bags of produce and distributing food on our Main Food Pantry line.
We deeply value the impact volunteers bring to the Food Bank. Over time, we’ve learned that people are motivated to volunteer for many reasons. For some, it’s a way to connect with their community, for others, volunteering offers an opportunity to bond with coworkers, classmates or friends in a different environment. Many are inspired to give back after personally experiencing food insecurity and benefiting from the food bank’s support.
To all our volunteers: Thank you for your time, effort and commitment to helping your neighbors in need.
How the Food Bank Works
Faces of the Food Bank
At the Emergency Food Bank, we serve individuals and families facing food insecurity, including seniors on fixed incomes and hardworking parents struggling to make ends meet. Every day, we see the impact of your generosity - your support provides fresh, nutritious food to those who need it most, education offering not just physical sustenance, but also dignity, hope and stability. With rising costs and increasing demand, your contributions are more critical than ever. Together, we can ensure that no one in our community has to choose between paying bills and putting food on the table. Thank you for making a difference!
“I shop for food at the grocery store, but at the end of the month, my kitchen is empty. I come to the Food Bank at the end of ever month for help.”
- Rebecca M.
“I am currently out of work and this is the only place where I can bring food home to my family.
- Florentino M.
“I worked hard, but everything is so expensive. I can’t choose between my medicine or food. The food bank helps me have good food at home.”
- Mutei S.
“Sometimes my paycheck doesn’t make it. I can’t afford for my kids to go without eating. The food bank makes me feel better because I know I can feed my family.”
- Rogelio S. 5,772,424