It is that time of year again when the Marin Food Bank does its annual food drive. Sadly, Marin food pantries have seen increases as high as 70% in the number of people who need food over the same month last year. Recent surveys show more than 16% of Marin’s children live in poverty and more than 35% of households live below the basic self-sufficiency income for a family of three- one parent and two children ($68,880). This means it would take four full-time minimum wage jobs to reach self-sufficiency.
Over the last year, the Marin Food Bank has distributed over 1.5 million meals. Food collected in the annual drive will be distributed in Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas boxes and next year to low-income seniors on the Brown BagProgram, severely ill individuals served by the Compassion in Action Program and the following Emergency Food Pantries:
- Canal Community Alliance
- San Geronimo Valley Community Center
- The Salvation Army
- Southern Marin Food Pantry
- Novato Human Needs Center
- West Marin Community Resource Center
What they need:
- Canned Proteins (tuna, salmon, chicken, peanut butter)
- Canned Fruits in Own Juices or Light Syrup (fruit cocktail)
- Macaroni & Cheese
- 100% Fruit Juices (All sizes including juice boxes)
- Grains (pasta, whole wheat pasta, rice, brown rice, macaroni and cheese)
- Condiments (tomato based sauces, light soy sauce, ketchup, mustard, light salad dressings)
- Low Sodium/ No Salt Added Canned Vegetables (mixed, green beans, corn)
- Soups (beef stew, chili, chicken noodle, turkey rice)
- Multigrain Cereal (cheerios, cornflakes, grapenuts, raisin bran)
- Ensure and other nutritional drinks
- Alternative Food: wheat-free, dairy-free, nut-free, vegan
Where to drop food donations off?
- Alain Pinel 101 Nellen Avenue, Corte Madera
- Bon Air Center in Greenbrae- CDS Pharmacy, Molly Stones, Peet’s Coffee, The Ranch of Bon Air, and all banking institutions located at the center.
- The Great Turkey at Corte Madera Town Center
- Most Marin Safeway locations