Food for People is holding two emergency drive-thru distributions Thursday amid continuing reverberations of the government shutdown: from uncertainty around the benefits that thousands of North Coast residents rely on to buy groceries to local federal workers going without paychecks.
Carly Robbins, executive director of the nonprofit, says the operations will run just like ones held during the pandemic, with people able to drive up to the locations to have a food box placed in their vehicle.
One will take place at the College of the Redwoods main parking lot, 7351 Tompkins Hill Road in Eureka, and the other at the Hoopa Valley Food Distribution building, 12479 State Route 96 in Hoopa.
Both distributions are scheduled to run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. Food for People is asking people not to show up too early to wait for the opening time because it could make set up more difficult.
Robbins notes that things “should go pretty quickly” and the plan is to have enough on hand to serve 1,000. By comparison, the largest distribution during the pandemic accommodated 750 people experiencing food insecurity.
“Our goal is to be able to help everyone who comes to us,” she says.
Across all programs, the largest food bank in the county has seen an influx of people seeking assistance “for lost benefits and fear of not having enough,” Robbins says, noting that at the Eureka location alone there’s been a 37 percent increase.
While Food for People stands prepared to jump into action in the case of an emergency, the current situation with the government shutdown is impacting thousands of folks across the county, adding another layer of need for the nonprofit to try to meet.
“Our team is doing a great job of problem solving and pivoting,” Robbins says, adding, “it’s definitely a lot to manage in a short period of time.”
This also all comes as Food for People is weathering cuts to its funding by the Trump administration and with the holidays just around the corner.
The “bright spot in all of this,” Robbins notes, are the people who have reached out to help, whether by donating food, money or their time.
“That has been a wonderful thing to see,” she said. “The community of Humboldt County really cares for everyone and shows up for one another.”
With the food bank’s bulk buying ability, monetary donations are especially helpful for those who can make them. To find out information on how to help or receive assistance, visit foodforpeople.org.
For those in need who aren’t sure how to start, click on the “Find Food Near You” button for the closest distribution location.