FIND Food Bank To Expand With $1 Million In Added Funding

INDIO, CA —FIND Food Bank is expanding into the Indio area, according to Supervisor V. Manuel Perez's office in a recent news release. The regional food bank hub covers the entire Coachella Valley region and plans are being put into place to grow that operation to help those in need, according to Perez.

"In challenging times, FIND Food Bank has quickly mobilized to expand food distribution sites, mobile markets and services to meet the need for food through the pandemic, during emergencies in North Shore and Oasis Mobile Home Park and today," Perez said. "FIND Food Bank is always there for our communities."

The funding comes from the federal American Rescue Plan Act funding Riverside County received that is set aside for Supervisor Perez to use in the Fourth District for projects for infrastructure, housing, economic recovery, and other priorities.

Debbie Espinosa, President & CEO of FIND Food Bank, spoke on the added funding.

“FIND Food Bank is extremely grateful to Riverside County and Supervisor Perez for their investment in the clients and families we serve,” Espinosa said. “Over the past few years, the number of working families, children, seniors and others facing food insecurity in the region has increased dramatically. FIND Food Bank has more than doubled the number of people served each month since the COVID-19 outbreak began, delivering more than 20 million meals annually. As we pursue expansion of our operations, the county’s help will be crucial to serving the needs of our community.”

FIND Food Bank has plans to more than double the size of its food distribution capacity and has received a donation of land adjacent to its current building in Indio.

With an estimated cost of $11 million for a new building and equipment, FIND Food Bank has also secured two grants from the State of California of approximately $3.8 million and $1.7 million that can be drawn on to support the construction of its new facility.