Host a Program Site

BECOME A DIRECT DISTRIBUTION SITE

Thank you for your interest in establishing a food program with the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. The mission of the Food Bank is to provide nutritious food to all those in need through our own efforts and those of our more than 100 distribution sites in Contra Costa and Solano counties.

As a member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest non-governmental, domestic hunger relief organization, the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano is a part of a national network that provides food to people in need and upholds the highest standards of charitable food distribution. The Food Bank and our partner agencies follow the guidelines established by this national network and are subject to regular compliance monitoring.

STEPS TO HOSTING A DISTRIBUTION SITE

• Review the Distribution Site Eligibility Requirements below to determine if your location is eligible to become a new distribution site.
• If you believe you meet all of the mandatory eligibility requirements, complete the interest form so that we can learn more about your proposed location.
• Wait to hear back from the direct service team. You will receive a confirmation email when you successfully submit the direct distribution interest form.
• Provide the direct service team with paperwork proving your ability to meet each of the eligibility requirements. We must receive all paperwork prior to scheduling a site visit.
• Schedule a site visit with a direct service team member so that we can determine if your site meets our criteria.

DISTRIBUTION SITE ELIGIBILITY

An agency must meet the following criteria to be eligible for partnership with the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.

1. Must distribute food at least twice per month.
2. Must intend to serve at least 50 clients at each distribution.
3. Must distribute donated products free of charge to low-income and food-insecure individuals and must not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, marital status, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, medical condition, or national origin.
4. Must be willing and able to provide food without requiring the recipient to pay, pray, or work in order to receive food. No religious activities may take place at any time during the food distribution including optional prayer.
5. May not sell or use donated products in exchange for money, other property, or services.
6. May not redistribute food or products to other food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, or other charitable groups or organizations.
7. Must have an interest in providing balanced and nutritious bags/meals, promoting client choice (allowing clients to select all or some of their food from what is available as opposed to handing out pre-made bags) once it is safe to do so, and offering CalFresh (food stamp) pre-screening and application assistance.
8. Must have a clean building with pest control, if planning to distribute food indoors.