In California, a food bank warehouse that recently sat empty received a quarter of a million dollars in state funding to help keep the local community fed amid rising food prices.
Here's what to know
The $250,000 allocation to the Madera County Food Bank was intended to help the food bank keep its community food distribution programs running in Madera County.
In a presentation, Esmeralda Soria, a Democrat representing Merced, handed the Madera County Food Bank a $250,000 check, Fox 26 reported. The money was included in the 2026 state budget and will support food distribution efforts in the county.
The award arrived as food assistance groups have continued to see strong demand from families struggling to cover everyday expenses.
In comments made at the presentation, Soria reflected on how Ryan McWherter, the Madera County Food Bank executive director, had reminded her "that this warehouse last year was empty," according to Fox 26.
Soria credited that turnaround to "the community stepping up and the board members."
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She framed the funding as part of a broader effort to keep Madera visible in Sacramento, the state capital. She said she wanted to make sure "that when we're in Sacramento, we're not forgetting about Madera, but that Madera is front and center," according to Fox 26.
More background
The funding for the Madera County Food Bank was part of a larger allocation provided to the region.
During her remarks, Soria gave "a shout-out to Fresno EOC because they're the recipient of the $1.5 million, and $250,000 is going to come here to the Madera County Food Bank," referring to the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission, a non-profit organization.
When grocery bills and other basic costs strain household budgets, many families turn to food banks for assistance. In this instance, the state funding was earmarked for community food distribution programs, meaning it was meant to help get food directly to residents.
In her comments, Soria promoted the food bank as a sign of the community's support for neighbors going through challenging times.
"And so this investment, again, we want to tell Maderans, the families that are struggling today, that we have their back and that we're going to try to continue to do everything that we can to bring the resources here to our community," Soria said, per Fox 26.
The Madera County Food Bank is located at 1055 Knox Road in Madera and can be reached by phone at 559-674-2992.
Where can I learn more?
As demand and food prices have remained stubbornly high, food banks in California and elsewhere have been expanding their outreach efforts.
• In California, ExtraFood used a state-backed initiative to redirect surplus food to families.
• Midwest Food Bank improved deliveries after Geotab donated innovative tracking devices for its fleet.
• In Arkansas, a food bank delivered over 60,000 meals after storms cut grocery power.
• A major food market and food bank recovered surplus food before waste could claim it.
• Food banks worldwide provided 1.7 billion meals while rescuing food from landfills.
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