The Mandarin Food Bank opened in April of 1991. The mission is to provide emergency food, clothing, and special assistance to local neighbors in need. This year is the community non-profit’s 33rd anniversary. The families that are served come from churches, schools, and word-of-mouth referrals within 7 area zip codes. Mandarin Food Bank clients are not usually homeless, although there has been a great increase in this demographic recently. Most clients are one paycheck 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.
This year has already proved especially challenging. During the first quarter of 2024, we had 201 NEW families seeking assistance and between January & April of 2024, the Food Bank had already served 9,313 people, comprising of 2,673 families. In 2023, the Food Bank served over 28,874 people, comprising of 8,819 families.
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, businesses, and caring individuals. The continued support of the Deercreek Women’s Alliance is vital and much appreciated by the Mandarin Food Bank.