Where to get food, financial assistance in Sonoma County during the COVID-19 pandemic
If you or someone you know is in need of help during the pandemic, here is a list of local organizations that are providing food, financial assistance and other resources.
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This story was last updated on Dec. 21, 2021.
Where to get food
Using Text FOOD, residents of nearly 30 ZIP codes in Sonoma County can text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 707-353-6333 to receive a list of local organizations that provide free groceries and meals in their area. After texting the number, residents will be asked to indicate whether they’re in need of meals or groceries and provide their ZIP code.
The Redwood Empire Food Bank is providing free food to residents in need without proof of income. Residents can visit the office (3990 Brickway Blvd., Santa Rosa) for a box of dry goods or to be directed to a pickup location. COVID-19 concerns have altered the hours of some locations, so visit getfood.refb.org for an updated list. Additional questions can be directed to 707-523-7900.
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa is continuing its free food distribution programs for anyone who needs help feeding their family throughout the pandemic. Go to srcharities.org/get-help for a list of days, times and locations. Call 707-528-8712 or go to bit.ly/3mqMczt for additional information.
Salvation Army is providing free food to any resident in need Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon during the pandemic. To receive food, go to the parking lot of the Corps Community Center (93 Stony Circle, Santa Rosa) with a valid ID. Families are limited to picking up groceries once per week. For more information, call 707-542-0981.
The Windsor Service Alliance Food Pantry (8987 Windsor Road, Windsor) is doling out free fresh produce and packaged groceries to Windsor residents in a drive-thru service Saturday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit wsapantry.com for more information. For emergency food service, call 707-838-6947.
Healdsburg Food Pantry (1505 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg) is providing Healdsburg and Geyserville residents with free groceries on Tuesdays and Fridays from 3-4:30 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 3-5 p.m. Go to healdsburgfoodpantry.org for more information.
Ceres Community Project is providing free or low-cost meals to residents of Sonoma and Marin counties who are facing serious health challenges, such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease, and are unable to purchase or prepare their own. Residents who qualify will receive medically-appropriate meals for up to 24 weeks delivered directly to their home. Visit CeresProject.org for more information, or call 707-829-5833, ext. 201 to apply.
Food For Thought provides free weekly groceries and frozen meals to people living with HIV and other serious illnesses in Sonoma County. The nonprofit also is now offering a COVID-19 nutrition program, which provides groceries to people with the coronavirus who are struggling to access food while in quarantine. Go to bit.ly/3stIKYK for more information about the program. For assistance, contact client services director Nina Redman at NinaR@FFTfoodbank.org or 707-887-1647 ext. 119.
Friends in Sonoma Helping (18330 Sonoma Hwy., Sonoma) offers groceries available for pick up at 1:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Food is distributed to residents who call 707-996-0111 before noon the day of pickup. For more information, visit friendsinsonomahelping.org.
River to Coast Children's Services (16300 1st St., Guerneville) is providing west county families in need with free groceries and other necessities Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Face masks are required. For more information, call 707-869-3613 or go to rccservices.org.
The Living Room Life Center (1335 N. Dutton Ave., Santa Rosa) provides those experiencing or at risk of homelessness with focused and individualized services. For more information, visit thelivingroomsc.org.
Food for All - Comida para Todos delivers food, hygiene products and other necessities to Sonoma Valley residents who are homebound, economically challenged or do not have transportation and can't access other drive-up distribution sites. Go to facebook.com/FoodForAllComidaParaTodos for more information.
COTS is providing hot meals to anyone in need seven days per week at Mary’s Table, 900 Hopper St. in Petaluma. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. and dinner is served from 5-6 p.m. Each meal will be distributed in to-go containers and must be eaten off-campus. For more information, visit cots.org.
First United Methodist Church (1551 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa) offers free to-go meals at 4 p.m. every Tuesday in the parking lot. For more information, visit fumcsantarosa.org/our-community or call 707-545-3863.
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