Food bank serves thousands over holidays

Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino (FARSB) brought holiday cheer to thousands of families over the 2024 holiday season through its drive-through food distributions. Held on November 22 and December 13, these events provided local households with a whole turkey or ham, while also connecting more families in need to FARSB’s trusted network of community partners.

“Every year, our goal is to gather enough resources to bring holiday meals to local families and support our community partners,” said Carolyn Fajardo, CEO of FARSB. “However, we’re facing growing challenges as food and monetary donations continue to decline, making it increasingly difficult to meet the rising need.”

FARSB says they distributed a total of 5,000 turkeys in November and nearly 6,300 turkeys and hams in December which were distributed to community members through their Community Partner network. Key partners such as Rolling Start Inc., Disabled American Veterans Chapter 12 (DAV12), Hub City Church, and the Inland Vineyard Christian Fellowship each hosted their own turkey and ham distributions, making holiday meals accessible to families across the region.

At FARSB’s warehouse, 300 turkeys were distributed at the November drive-thru event, and nearly 300 hams in December. Families registered online to reserve a spot and were greeted by board members, staff, and volunteers who loaded the items into their vehicles.

The distributions provided local families with the opportunity to create meaningful holiday memories while showcasing the impact of community support. FARSB remains committed to alleviating hunger and offering hope, especially during the winter months when the need is elevated.

If you or someone you know needs assistance, please visit https://www.feedingamericaie.org/get-help to locate your nearest pantry.