Foodbank Launches New Protein Program to Provide the Nutritious Food to Those in Need Throughout Santa Barbara County During Tough Economic Times

Foodbanks across America are facing a crisis this year as millions of Americans seek help feeding their families. A steady decline of donated food from national food manufacturers and a 30% decrease in USDA commodities required the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County to take quick action and implement new sources for buying and distributing food, introducing the new Protein Program!

The Foodbank’s experience and planning, along with a $10,000 challenge grant from the SG Foundation and the immediate response of many caring and generous corporations and individuals to the crisis helped us raise almost $45,000. But that power to buy the food we need will soon be gone as we purchase what we can and it is distributed daily by our member agencies!

The collaborative effort allowed the Foodbank to launch the Protein Program; providing high-protein nutritious foods, such as beans, rice, peanut butter, and meats to low income children, seniors, individuals and families. These foods are essential for a healthy diet but are often out of reach for those living on a limited budget.

Many individual’s and corporation’s generosity and the Foodbank’s ability to leverage that support translated into thousands of pounds of healthy foods available (today) to those in need throughout Santa Barbara County.

Please realize this is just the beginning…. The need for food continues to increase and the purchasing of these high protein food items is a necessity and part of a long term fundraising campaign for the Protein Program. The success of this campaign is greatly needed if the Foodbank wants to continue to provide nutritious food to thousands of children, seniors, individuals and families.

Please help us today by making a donation to the Protein Program. We can stretch your dollar and purchase much more food. With your kindness and generosity we can move people from hunger to harvest. We’ve been feeding people for 25 years. Thank you!

Foodbank staff helps Joyce Nix of the
Central Coast Rescue Mission load up
on peanut butter provided through the
new Protein Program.

Photo contributed by Leslie McLain