About Us
The Food Bank for Humboldt County
Food for People is 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.
We envision a community where everyone has access to good quality, nutritious food, understands the consequences of hunger and poor nutrition and is committed to creating a stronger, healthier Humboldt County.
Our Guiding Principles
We believe in engaging the community and involving those we serve in finding solutions to eliminate hunger and food insecurity.
We believe the root causes of hunger must be addressed to realize our long-term goal of eliminating hunger.
We believe collaboration and partnerships - internally and externally - are essential to fulfilling our mission.
We recognize the dignity of all people and believe food is an essential right.
We believe hunger can be eliminated.
Our History
When we first opened our doors in 1979, Food for People was no more than a small food closet intent upon filling the void for emergency food assistance in Humboldt County. Food distribution grew steadily from those humble beginnings, and over the following years, we expanded and began conducting our operations out of a small local residence and some rented warehouse space. During that time, Food for People also began providing food for several pantries located throughout the County in addition to our direct food distribution in Eureka. By 1996, we were bursting at the seams and ill-prepared to accommodate the steadily increasing requests for emergency food assistance. In 1998 we were able to purchase and retrofit the 9,000 square foot warehouse at 307 W. 14th Street in Eureka.
In the next two decades we grew and added programs to meet the needs of our community: Children’s Nutrition, Senior and Homebound programs, a network of Non-Profit Partners and the Mobile Produce Pantry among others.
In February 2020, Food for People’s aging building went from usable and overcrowded to requiring evacuation due to failed infrastructure amid a sewer inundation. This disaster struck a tough blow to Food for People’s facility and operations, but we persevered. Through the pandemic, we met increasing need throughout our community through the use of temporary leased spaces and the efforts of a dedicated, compassionate staff. At the same time, community and staff members mounted a $6.2 million capital campaign to rebuild our main facility in a bigger, more usable and better form. In June 2023, 3 years and 4 months after evacuating the site, Food for People reopened in our new building at 307 W. 14th Street.
The new building features a bigger, brighter Choice Pantry, 200% more cold storage space, vertical warehouse storage, private client intake rooms and expanded office and meeting space. As Food for People is called upon to address greater levels of food insecurity in Humboldt and be ready to aid residents in emergencies and natural disasters, the larger facility is already proving its worth.
Our Values
Integrity — We will demonstrate the highest ethical standards in all interactions.
Stewardship — We will be accountable to all through the efficient and environmentally responsible use of resources.
Teamwork — We will foster cooperation and a sense of empowerment amongst our diverse staff, volunteers, and community partners.
Respect — We will treat all of our relationships with respect.
Innovation — We will continually seek to provide excellent service through the development of new and improved methods to reduce hunger.
Empathy, Passion, Empowerment — We encourage and support the best in ourselves and those we serve and provide opportunities for everyone to participate in fulfilling our mission.
Our Board
Gary M. Bird - President
City Planning, Retired
Joan Levy - Vice President
Retired, Health & Human Services
Ashliegh A. Diehl, CPA, EA - Treasurer
Partner at Hunter, Hunter & Hunt, LLP
Scott Thompson - Secretary
Project Manager / Engineer, Nordic Aquafarm
Alysia Bixler
Planning Specialist, Redwood Community Action Agency
Annie Bolick-Floss
Retired Director, Cal Poly Humboldt Career and Service Learning Center
Roger James
Gelinas James Consulting
Dr. Kintay Johnson
Director, Student Equity and the Multicultural & Equity Center, College of the Redwoods
Chad Kaul
Business Developer, Express Employment Professionals
Greta Stockwell
Executive Assistant, Humboldt Association of Realtors
Our Sponsors
