Celebrate!
Community Engagement Center hosts 9,000 volunteers in first year

Since we opened the Community Engagement Center on Jan. 31, 2011, our volunteers have contributed 62,000 hours -- the equivalent of 32 full-time employees! We're so thankful for all you've shared as we grow to meet the need for healthy food in our neighborhoods.

Check out our anniversary video, filled with the smiling faces of our volunteers, staff and community members contributing in all sorts of ways. And to learn more or sign up for a volunteer shift in the CEC, click here.

'We must speak to the moral and economic crisis of income inequality'
Congresswoman Barbara Lee reponds to State of the Union address after Food Bank visit

In her response to President Obama's State of the Union address, Congresswoman Barbara Lee put the needs of our most vulnerable citizens front and center.

The Congresswoman — who represents California’s 9th district and chairs the Congressional Out of Poverty Caucus — recently sat down with Executive Director Suzan Bateson, Board President Mike Moye and members of our Advocacy Team for a productive conversation about combatting hunger in our community. Among the topics on Jan. 12 were the success of our children’s BackPack Program and the importance of protecting vital safety net programs, which have been disproportionately targeted in recent budget cut proposals.

A lot has changed since Representative Lee’s last visit in 2008 – including a doubling of the demand for emergency food assistance.

We’d like to extend a special thanks to Congresswoman Lee and her staff for making the issues of hunger and poverty priorities – and for being forceful advocates for our cause on Capitol Hill.

Frances and Exie's Story

Exie could be your neighbor. She lives with her disabled mother and 6-year-old daughter, Frances. Exie works as many hours as she can between caring for her family and taking community college classes.

When housing, utilities and transportation take all the money they earn, many families are forced to make tough choices. The only thing left to cut is food for her mother and daughter.

You can ensure they'’ll never know hunger –-- even in difficult times.

Nearly half of the Food Bank clients are working families. Your contribution ensures they never have to decide between paying bills or eating dinner.

Follow the can
at the Alameda County Community
Food Bank to see where your food drive donations end up, and how they get there.



See more Food Bank videos >>