FoodLink at a Glance
Who we are
FoodLink for Tulare County is an incorporated nonprofit organization [501(c)(3)] that has been providing food to needy individuals and families in Tulare County since 1978. We distribute over 7 million pounds of food annually to a network of food pantries and other nonprofit agencies. These organizations directly feed needy families in the surrounding area. Supporting our vision that “No Child Goes Hungry,” FoodLink provides food and hunger education to the community through many programs.
What we do
FoodLink supplies food directly to more than 80 nonprofit agencies, including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters and youth programs. This food is collected through partnerships with industry, agriculture, government and community members. FoodLink also coordinates food drives, holiday food basket distributions and children’s summer lunches within the community.
How we do it
FoodLink obtains food from a variety of sources. Food is donated from food drives, local farms and packing houses, food processors and manufacturers, gleaning groups, groceries, dairies and other available sources. FoodLink also purchases about $80,000 worth of food each year to add more nutritional value to the foods supplied. Four FoodLink trucks pick up and deliver food donations, which are properly handled according to Health Department standards. The donations are stored inside our 27,000 square feet of warehouse space. The food is then divided into usable quantities and distributed to our network of agencies. Individuals, corporations, foundations and federal, state and local government provide funding for food distribution and administration.
Why we’re here
Data from the 2000 U.S. Census shows that 91,004 people and two out of every five children in Tulare County live in poverty. People need assistance for a variety of reasons, including layoffs, underemployment, family crises and medical emergencies. By providing for our neighbors’ most basic need, FoodLink is not only eliminating hunger – we are investing in the future of our Children.