In a region known for its agricultural abundance, no one should go hungry. But in Yolo County, one in three families struggles with food insecurity every day. That’s why the Sacramento Region Community Foundation is making one of the largest commitments in our history: a $1 million grant over three years to Yolo Food Bank to help address hunger right now and in the long term.
This funding, made possible by generous gifts to our Impact Fund, will help feed families across the county and support the systems that make nourishing food more accessible. It will deliver emergency food boxes to families in rural areas; invest in growing and harvesting fresh, local produce for distribution; and fund research to help food pantries better serve our region’s diverse communities.
“Yolo County is one of the most agriculturally abundant counties in the state yet suffers from one of the highest rates of food insecurity,” said Kerry Wood, our chief executive. “And with one in three families in Yolo County struggling with hunger daily, and food insecurity on the rise, the Foundation believes this is the right place and time to make this financial investment.”
Yolo Food Bank
This grant is more than a financial commitment. It’s part of a larger effort to advance health equity in the Sacramento region and connect people and organizations working toward a shared goal of ensuring everyone in our region has what they need to thrive.
It builds on years of groundwork — community listening sessions, a regional food access survey, and our ongoing partnerships with growers, nonprofits, and local leaders. That learning makes clear just how complex food insecurity is in Yolo County. Agricultural workers face transportation challenges and fear around accessing services. Kids go without fresh meals because school kitchens can’t cook on-site. College students are blocked by red tape. Seniors face mobility issues. Unhoused neighbors juggle hunger alongside mental health and shelter needs.
And while farmers and food banks do their best to keep shelves stocked, rising demand and shrinking government support have left many families—and service providers—stretched thin.
“This support could not come at a more critical time as federal and state funding are slashed,” shared Karen Baker, Executive Director of Yolo Food Bank. “These dollars will feed hungry families immediately, as well as invest in removing barriers to food access and nutrition. This grant, which provides both short and long-term philanthropic support, allows the Yolo Food Bank to continue food service, reach the recent uptick of individuals, and be efficient and strategic as we move forward.”
Yolo Food Bank currently feeds 30,000 households monthly through a network of 68 partner agencies, with numbers jumping 20% since the start of the year. As part of the research study funded by the Foundation’s grant, a survey will make clear which food items are in greatest demand for partner agencies, which are most culturally relevant for families, and which will meet the transportation and storage challenges of both families and partner agencies.
With this grant, and with the generosity of donors who give through the Impact Fund, we’re helping to meet the moment. But we’re also planting seeds for something greater: a more connected, more coordinated food system that reflects the heart of Yolo County—its people, its farmers, and its deep-rooted spirit of care.
If you want to be part of this work, learn how you can give to the Impact Fund — including by joining the Impact Collaborative — or open your own charitable fund. Together, we can make sure everyone in our region has what they need to thrive.
Make Your Impact
Support efforts like this with a gift to the Impact Fund. Contribute at your preferred level and join the Impact Collaborative, a network of changemakers dedicated to building a vibrant region. Plus, enjoy exclusive access to gatherings and seminars that put you in touch with the heart of local philanthropy.