The top orgs in this category show the range of what Humboldt folks find important in their nonprofits: The enviro group Humboldt Baykeeper came in fifth; the elbow-flinging good-time gals of Humboldt Roller Derby fourth; Planned Parenthood’s reproductive rights advocacy and services third; The Ink People, who provide umbrella non-profit status for all sorts of arts groups, was runner up. Your choice for the “best” and arguably most important was Food For People, whose name says it all. The mission of the official food bank for Humboldt County: “working to eliminate hunger and improve the health and well-being of our community through access to healthy and nutritious foods, community education and advocacy.” Basically, the group tries to make sure everyone gets enough to eat. A couple of examples of its good work: Free Farmers’ Markets throughout the month in Eureka, Fortuna, Redway and Garberville, and the Backpacks for Kids Program which fills backpacks with kid-friendly food every Friday during the school year so kids who get fed at school don’t go hungry over the weekend.
— Bob Doran
The Breakdown: Food For People 5.7%, The Ink People 4.8%, Planned Parenthood 4.8%, Humboldt Roller Derby 4.3%, Humboldt Baykeeper 3.6%, Voter Turnout: 19th.
This article appears in Best of Humboldt 2011.