Needs
The Need Has Not Slowed — It Has Stabilized at Crisis Levels
Food insecurity in our community is no longer a temporary surge. It is sustained, structural, and growing.
During Fiscal Year 2024–2025, Elk Grove Food Bank Services served an average of 8,613 unduplicated individuals every month, representing 2,584 households.
Over the course of the year, we recorded more than 103,000 individual visits and managed over 212,000 points of service.
That is not short-term need. That is ongoing reliance.
Demand Is Consistently High
In FY 2024–2025 alone, we distributed 1,908,540 meals — an average of more than 159,000 meals every single month.
Demand did not drop after the pandemic. It remained elevated. November peaked at nearly 9,700 individuals in one month, reflecting how fragile household stability truly is.
When families come to us, they are not visiting once. They are returning month after month because their budgets still don’t stretch far enough.
Multi-Generational Hunger Is Real
Nearly 30% of those we serve are children and teens — more than 2,475 youth each month.
At the same time, more than 2,263 seniors per month rely on our services. Many live on fixed incomes while food, rent, utilities, and medication costs continue to rise.
This is not one demographic.
It is children and grandparents.
Working adults and retirees.
Entire households trying to stay afloat.
New Families Continue to Fall Into Crisis
On average, 568 new individuals and 183 new households seek assistance for the first time each month. That means more than 6,800 new individuals last year alone turned to the Food Bank for help.
Food insecurity is not shrinking. It is reaching new families who never expected to need help.
The Operational Load Is Massive
With duplicated household visits averaging more than 5,289 per month, our infrastructure must support consistent, repeat access to food and essential services.
Maintaining inventory, volunteers, mobile distribution, clothing services, pet pantry support, and case assistance at this scale requires reliable funding.
We cannot scale back. The need will not allow it.
Why Your Gift Matters Now
Every dollar you give on Big Day of Giving directly supports:
Nearly 9,000 individuals served monthly
Over 1.9 million meals distributed annually
Seniors aging on fixed incomes
Children growing up in food-insecure households
Working families navigating inflation and rising costs
New households seeking help for the first time
This is not about temporary relief.
It is about sustaining the safety net our community depends on — every month, all year long.
On May 7, your generosity ensures we remain ready, responsive, and strong for the thousands of neighbors who rely on us.
Because the need is steady.
And so must we be.