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Fine Food Bank reports distributing more than 5 million pounds in Indio over past year, highlights workforce and scholarship programs
Summary
Fine Food Bank executives told the Indio City Council during Hunger Action Month that the bank handled roughly 289,000 client interactions in the city, distributed over 5 million pounds of food locally (including 3.5 million pounds to partner nonprofits), and runs workforce and youth programs to address root causes of food insecurity.
Debbie Espinosa, president and CEO of Fine Food Bank, told the Indio City Council on Sept. 17 that food insecurity in the city remains a concern and outlined the organization’s recent operations, outreach and workforce-development programs.
Espinosa said Feeding America data puts food insecurity in Indio at about 13.1 percent. Over the past 12 months Fine Food Bank recorded roughly 289,000 client interactions in the city and distributed more than 5,000,000 pounds of food locally; she said about 3,500,000 of those pounds were routed through local nonprofits, churches and community centers for distribution.
The bank, domiciled in Indio, brings in more than 20,000,000 pounds of food for the broader Coachella Valley and has expanded warehouse space from about 40,000 to more than 80,000 square feet, Espinosa said. She also described programs that address longer-term needs: enrollment assistance for Medi-Cal and CalFresh, workforce development and an “ending hunger for a lifetime” initiative focused on financial literacy and job training.
Espinosa highlighted a College Corps partnership that places about 40 college students at the food bank for 400 hours of service; she said participants receive stipends and workforce skills training. Since launching education and youth programs the bank has awarded more than $78,000 in local scholarships, she said.
Mayor and council members thanked Fine Food Bank for its volunteer opportunities and community partnerships; Council members noted recent volunteer efforts and said they would attend the food bank’s ribbon-cutting the following week.
Speakers quoted or referenced in this article are drawn from the council meeting transcript and include Debbie Espinosa, and remarks from several council members who thanked the organization.
