Redwood Empire Food Bank was awarded a grant to purchase a Hydraulic bin dumper. Pictured is David Ainsworth, who leads the yard operations. Photo courtesy of Raley’s

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Raley’s announced that $340,241 in grant funding has been awarded via its new Food for Families infrastructure grant program.

Raley’s made the grant funding available through its 12 existing Food for Families food bank partners, as well as their partner agencies that represent more than 2,400 partner agencies in total.

“We are grateful for our loyal customers and their Food for Families contributions that allow us to provide food to organizations serving those in need every day through our point-of-sale donations” said Carol Barsotti, Raley’s Food for Families’ board member. “These grants really expand the impact of those food donations by ensuring our partners have the infrastructure to safety and effectively distribute that food.”

The inaugural round of Food for Families grants was awarded to provide for critical infrastructure needs, including 22 refrigeration devices to help keep high-demand perishable food, such as produce, dairy, meat and eggs fresh for longer; nine pallet jacks or forklifts, one pallet jack can save 76 trips for a staff/volunteer per truckload; three box trucks or vans to distribute food throughout the community and a variety of other shelving units, reusable bags, insulated bags, shelving, display shelves, etc.

“We are grateful to Raley’s Food for Families for providing our new refrigerator, which will significantly enhance our ability to distribute fresh, nutritious products to our clients,” said Cynthia A Rodriguez, Carson Valley Community Food Closet co-director. “As the number of individuals and families turning to food banks continues to grow, this generous support comes at a critical time. With this new equipment, we’ll be able to safely store and offer more fresh food to more people in need, ensuring no one in our community has to go without healthy options.”

Grant funding was awarded to 21 food security organizations throughout communities that Raley’s serves to help them improve and/or expand their services.

The list of grant awardees include Central California Food Bank, T.O.T.A, Carson Valley Community Food Closet, Saint Francis of Assisi Food Pantry, Feeding the Foothills, Associated Students Food Pantry - Sonoma State, Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, Murph Emmanuel AME Church, First Christian Church Food Pantry, Seed of Faith Christian Fellowship, Yolo Food Bank, Alameda Food Bank, Sparks Christian Fellowship, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa, Redwood Empire Food Bank, The Peace Haven Corporation, BOSS Church, Bridge Network, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, ICNA Relief Sacramento, and the Crisis Intervention Services (also known as the Sierra Community House).

“The infrastructure grants are ultimately about helping support organizations on the frontlines of lending a helping hand,” said Barsotti. “We are grateful to play a role in creating a meaningful, long-lasting ripple effect as part of our efforts to address food security in our communities.”