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Fine Food Bank tells council its work delivers about 1.5 million pounds of food annually to Desert Hot Springs
Summary
Fine Food Bank Vice President Lorenna Marukin told the council the agency delivers about 1.5 million pounds of food to Desert Hot Springs annually, partners with local agencies (including St. Margaret's and Food Now), has a direct distribution site at Cabrera, and helps residents with CalFresh enrollment; staff warned a pause in benefits in November may increase demand.
Lorenna Marukin, vice president of community impact for Fine Food Bank, presented the organization’s Desert Hot Springs impact report at the Oct. 21 City Council meeting.
Marukin said Fine Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization serving southern San Bernardino County and Riverside County and distributes about 20 million pounds of food through its regional network. She told council that roughly 1.5 million pounds of food come into Desert Hot Springs annually through the agency’s partner network and direct distribution efforts. At the Cabrera distribution site Fine Food Bank reported a roughly 30% recent spike in service and said the site distributes a little over 100,000 pounds annually and serves approximately 400–600 households per distribution.
Through partner agencies the food bank provides CalFresh application assistance; Marukin noted that a pause in CalFresh benefits anticipated for the month of November could increase demand and lengthen service lines in the city. She also said Fine Food Bank partners with local retail stores to rescue food and, under new rules (SP 1383 referenced by staff), is recovering food from restaurants for hot-meal service.
Council and residents asked about pet-food support and coordination with the Desert Hot Springs Animal Shelter. Marukin said pet-food donations are infrequent but Fine Food Bank directs truckloads of pet food to animal-focused organizations and will work with local shelters if contact information is provided.
Council thanked Fine Food Bank for its work in the Coachella Valley.
