In 1999 a local grassroots organization called The El Dorado Food Coalition—comprised of a handful of faith-based organizations—worked to provide food assistance in El Dorado County. Although this group worked hard they struggled with infrastructure, cold and dry storage, trucks, and all the necessities it takes to service a rural county like El Dorado. As needs grew the Coalition’s goal quickly became establishing a full-service food bank, as El Dorado County was one of the few California counties that had no food bank. With the help of a few key organizations and the assistance of the community The Food Bank of El Dorado County was established in August of 2000.
Starting off small, The Food Bank supporters put their nose to the grindstone, and from a humble beginning this charity has become the largest collaborative charity in El Dorado County. The Food Bank provides food assistance through multiple programs including the Emergency Food Assistance Network which consists of multiple agencies that make up the safety net for El Dorado County’s at-risk population.
In an average year this collaborative partnership procures and distributes over 3 million dollars of emergency food assistance to communities through the county.
Congratulations, El Dorado Food Coalition—The Food Bank of El Dorado County has become a gold nugget for our neighbors who struggle to make ends me