Match from local foundation will provide 2 million local meals
CONCORD, Calif. (May 25, 2022) – The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano is nearing a historic milestone, but the Bay Area non-profit needs the support of its community to cross the finish line.
The Behring Global Educational Foundation (Behring Foundation), a global organization with local roots, announced in late March that it would provide the biggest match to-date in the Food Bank’s 47-year history – a dollar-for-dollar match up to $500,000. If met, the total collected would provide 2 million meals for local residents in Contra Costa and Solano counties.
The Food Bank is asking the public for help in meeting this half-a-million-dollar match, named the “2 Million Meal Challenge,” at a time of skyrocketing inflation and long-term impacts of the pandemic. According to the local Consumer Price Index, food prices have increased more than 10% over the last year, with prices up 6.8% for fruits and vegetables and 19.4% for eggs, meats and poultry. Over the last three months alone, the Food Bank and its 260+ agency partners have seen over 270,000 people needing its services each month. This is a 20,000+ client increase since December 2021, and a 40%-60% increase since pre-pandemic.
To date, generous community members have provided $475,000 in gifts–enough to provide 1,900,000 meals, with the match. Every donation made will be matched dollar for dollar up to $500,000 by the Behring Foundation. The deadline to meet the match is 11:59 PM PT on May 31.
Rising prices and increased costs have forced many community members to make difficult decisions between food, gas, or basic necessities as money runs low each month. Given the increased need for nutritious, high-protein foods, the Food Bank is focused on providing even more fruit, vegetables, and meat. The match amount would provide several days’ worth of food for each of the 270,000 people served by the Food Bank every month.
“Thank you so much to those who have already donated. Your generosity doesn’t go unnoticed. You are supporting our most vulnerable populations that were just starting to recover from the pandemic, only to be hit with inflation and rising costs. Your response to this match has been just phenomenal,” said Joel Sjostrom, Food Bank President & CEO. “Ninety-seven cents of every dollar goes toward providing food to our community, so every dollar makes a big difference. It is inspiring to see all of us collectively uplift one another through a volatile time.”
Visit https://give.foodbankccs.org/campaign/2-million-meal-challenge/ today to help the Food Bank meet the 2 Million Meal Challenge and the Behring Foundation will automatically double your donation. The deadline to meet the match is May 31. Your gift will make an immediate and lasting difference in the community.
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About the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano
Founded in 1975, The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano (FBCCS) is a critical resource, serving 1 in 6 residents in our local communities. Our mission is leading the fight to end hunger, in partnership with our community and service of our neighbors in need. Through our partnership with Feeding America, FBCCS distributes nutritious food through a network of over 260 partners and nonprofits, serving 250,000 people every month. FBCCS also strategically engages in advocacy work to raise awareness and mobilize support to end hunger, and are recognized as one of Feeding America’s Hall of Fame honor roll members for excellence in advocacy. During times of crisis, The Food Bank serves as second responders, providing access to food in communities impacted by natural disasters, COVID-19, and economic downturns. Since the beginning of the pandemic, FBCCS has served 39% more residents and also offered support to hunger-fighting organizations in 18 Northern California counties. With 96 cents of every $1 donated going toward food distribution, FBCCS is committed to financial transparency and consistently earns Charity Navigator’s highest four-star rating. To learn more about The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, go to www.foodbankccs.org.
About Behring Global Educational Foundation
The Behring Global Educational Foundation was developed upon the tremendous success of the Wheelchair Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Kenneth E. Behring in 2000, now a sub-division of BGEF. BGEF was established to identify, create and oversee multiple operations that specialize in providing aid to international health and educational related areas of need. With projects like the Wheelchair Foundation and the International Museums Partnership, BGEF is a united network of charitable organizations dedicated to eliminating suffering, providing hope, mobility and freedom and expanding basic education and economic development opportunities around the world. Based in the Blackhawk community in Danville, the Behring Global Educational Foundation is committed to furthering Ken’s belief that, “Together, we are changing the world.” Learn more about the Foundation at http://bgefoundation.org.
Media contact:
Cassidie Bates
Government and Public Affairs Manager
Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano
925-334-2766; press@foodbankccs.org
