Merced County Food Bank Reduces Cost to Food Pantries and Increases Funding for Childhood and Senior Food Programs

Merced, CA, July 14, 2016 (Newswire.com) - Thanks to the generosity of the community, businesses and the agricultural sector, Merced County Food Bank’s (MCFB) impact on the community and financial situation improved dramatically last fiscal year – which ended June 30, 2016.

Last night, the MCFB Board of Directors unanimously approved an 8% reduction in the shared-maintenance fee that partner agencies pay when purchasing some food items.

Currently, partner agencies pay 19 cents a pound – whether it’s chicken or canned food. Beginning today, that cost has been reduced to 17.5 cents per pound.

Mark Seivert, Board President said “The Board of Directors is committed to bring down the shared maintenance costs as much as we can. We know how challenging it is for our pantry partners to raise the funds needed to purchase food. Our ultimate goal is to charge nothing to our member pantries.”

In addition, The Board of Directors approved this year’s budget which included expansion plans for the Senior Brown Bag Program and child hunger programs.

“There is nothing more heart-wrenching than a child going hungry. And sadly, to many of our kids and seniors in our communities are going hungry” said Merced County Food Bank Executive Director Bill Gibbs.

MCFB will position itself to reach more seniors and children in need with better food by:

· Expanding service to low income seniors through its Senior Brown Bag program

· Expanding outreach and services to organizations and programs that serve children.

· Including more fresh fruits and vegetables in food provided monthly by both programs.

Gibbs said “MCFB serves as a lifeline for our communities. As the agency that acquires, stores, and distributes food, we play a critical role in maintaining and improving the health of our community’s low income, and food insecure populations.

On behalf of all of the MCFB staff, Board members, clients and partner agencies, I would like to extended our heart-felt gratitude for all the community support, donations of food and money, and hundreds of volunteer hours given in the fight against hunger over the last year. We have much more to do this year, and we are looking forward to working together to be more effective, efficient and impactful”.

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For more information about the Merced County Food Bank please visit www.mmcfb.org

Source: Merced County Food Bank