The Mandarin Food Bank opened in April of 1991. The mission to provide emergency food, clothing and special assistance to local neighbors in need. This year is the community non-profit’s 32nd anniversary. The families that are served come from area churches, schools and word-of-mouth referrals. Mandarin Food Bank clients are not usually homeless, although there has been a great increase in this demographic recently. Most clients are one pay check away from being homeless. Single parents are the largest group of clients, followed by single elderly adults on a fixed income. Many of our elderly clients are primary caregivers of their grandchildren for various reasons.
While the main purpose of the Mandarin Food Bank is to provide food and clothing, the focus on helping clients holistically is the practice that leads day to day operations. Volunteers often help clients obtain appropriate referrals for rent, utilities and other needed services.
In 2022 the number of people needing assistance through the Food Bank soared once again. The Mandarin Food bank served over 29,078 people, comprising of 8,440 families compared to 5,777 families in 2021.
The Food Bank is open to serve clients Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 to 11:30 A.M. After hours and on Saturdays, the volunteers receive, pick up, re-stock shelves and clean. The organization is made up entirely of hardworking volunteers from civic groups, schools, churches, business, and caring individuals. The continued support of the Deercreek Women’s Alliance is vital and much appreciated by the Mandarin Food Bank.