Merced County Food Bank

05/23/2026

Act now to save small farmers in California! 🌱 🍓 🍊

We need the state of California to fund LFPA, a program that has provided immense support to small farmers.

California lost 10% of its farms between 2017–2022. Programs like LFPA are how we fight back, but only if the state funds them. Without these programs, we risk losing farmers throughout the state. Help keep local farmers by urging your state representatives to fund LFPA!

What is LFPA?

The Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program (LFPA) connects small farmers with food banks to provide healthy, fresh, and local food to California families in need while opening up access to a fair market for local food.

So far, LFPA has:
🧑‍🌾 → Supported 833 small farmers in California
💰 → Purchased $60 million in local food
🍽️ → Fed Californians in 53/58 counties
📈 → Provided a fair and stable market channel for farmers
🍏 → Distributed nutrient-dense produce to 55 Food Banks & Community Organizations

From bok choy and chiles to peaches and tomatoes, these farm boxes reflect the diversity of the people who grow and receive them- food that nourishes and honors community.

Take action 🫵 Call your state rep and urge them to fund LFPA.

05/01/2026

🛍️ Let’s Stamp Out Hunger, together.

On Saturday, May 9, the United States Postal Service will host the 34th annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, the largest single-day food drive in the country.

Keep an eye on your mailbox next week. Many households will receive a postcard and donation bag from their letter carrier with details on how to participate.

Taking part is simple:
• Fill a bag with non-perishable food like canned goods, pasta, or cereal
• Leave it by your mailbox before your mail arrives on May 9
• Your letter carrier will pick it up

Every donation stays local and helps families right here in Merced County ❤️

This is one of the easiest ways to make a real impact in our community. If you’re able, we’d love for you to join in.

04/29/2026

💗 Our final Heart Glazing Workshops are here, and we’re so close to the finish line.

Over the past year, Monika Modest has poured her heart into The World Has Heart campaign- creating, teaching, and inviting our community into this project to help fight hunger. We’re now just shy of her $50,000 goal!

These last two workshops are a chance to be part of that. Bring your mom, grandma, or someone you love, or create something meaningful just for them.

Every heart helps support families in our community who need it most.

Let’s fill these last spots and finish strong 💗

To claim your spot:
Call Monika at 814-777-0100
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

04/14/2026

We’re almost there! ❤️

World Has Heart is raising support for the Merced County Food Bank—and we need your help to cross the finish line.

We’re seeking community sponsors to provide workshop access for those who otherwise couldn’t attend.

The Community Foundation of Merced County is matching donations up to $1,250—so your gift goes twice as far.

✨ Give $25 → becomes $50
✨ Give $50 → becomes $100

Let’s come together and make sure everyone has a seat at the table.

03/19/2026

Once a month, this pantry partner in Atwater distributes food to about 120 families in their community.

Volunteers come together to pack boxes with essentials like cereal, bread, and meat, making sure neighbors have food for the days ahead.

This is what it looks like behind the scenes.

Partnerships like this are how food reaches families across Merced County, and we’re grateful to work alongside them.

02/17/2026

What an amazing job this pantry partner does. Such a blessing to the community.

02/12/2026

💗Grab a drink at Merced, Livingston, and Los Banos locations this Friday for Dutch Luv Day! 💗

❤️$1 for every drink sold on February 13 donated by Dutch Bros Coffee to Merced County Food Bank.🥰

02/09/2026

What a beautiful day at our Heart Glazing Workshop! 💛

Thank you to everyone who came out to create, connect, and be part of something meaningful. So many beautiful hearts were made- and just in time to be shared this Valentine’s Day.

A special shout-out to the Community Foundation of Merced and Debbie Fierro for providing sponsorships and helping make this workshop possible. And thank you to everyone who attended! Your participation and generosity are helping us move closer to our $50,000 World Has Heart campaign goal, one heart at a time.

Workshops like this are a wonderful way to bring people together. They're perfect for parties, team-building, or just a creative day with friends.

If you’re interested in hosting a workshop of your own, contact:
Monika Modest: [email protected]

We’re so grateful for this day of creativity, connection, and community. ❤️

01/23/2026

Looking for something meaningful (and fun) to do this Valentine’s season? 💕

Join us for a Heart Glazing Workshop at the Merced County Food Bank and create a one-of-a-kind ceramic heart to give to someone you love- or keep as a reminder that you’re loved, too.

Led by local artist Monika Modest, this hands-on workshop is a chance to slow down and get creative while supporting local families in our community as all proceeds go the Merced County Food Bank.

Your heart will be fired and ready in time to share on Valentine’s Day.

🗓 Saturday, February 7
⏰ 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Merced County Food Bank
❤️ Minimum Contribution $25

💌 RSVP to: [email protected]

Light refreshments and snacks included. We’d love to have you join us and spread a little love, one heart at a time.

01/07/2026

Harvest Time is a wonderful pantry partner and we are so proud of the work they are doing. See their distribution dates here.

Everyone here at Harvest Time hopes you and your family had a wonderful Holiday Season and wish you all well in this New Year.
Posted is our new yearly Box Distribution schedule. Don't forget to get in line early, we normally start at 7:30am, we distribute 330 boxes or end at 10am. We also have a walk-up perishable distribution on Mondays, Wednesdays, and every 1st/3rd Friday. We ask that you arrive there before 9am and get in line, for at 9am we bring those who are in line, into the gate and shut it and whoever is there will be served, so don't be late. We also ask that you bring 2 grocery bags, for that's about how much food we are distributing. We hope this helps you and your family. God bless.