How do I make a financial donation?

You can make a financial donation online or by completing and mailing in this form (.doc version or .pdf version) or by calling 1.800.387.9000. There are three payment options for making an online donation. Money Donations explains all of these options and let's you click on a button to begin making one now.

How do I make a large food donation?

You may initiate your donation online by clicking here. We will contact you about your donation, and make pick-up arrangements at your convenience, all at no charge to you.

How do I make a small food donation?

Your local food bank can assist you with smaller donations and can help you determine what items are needed presently. If you wish to donate grocery products directly to your local food bank, find it by clicking here.

Is my donation tax-deductible?

Yes, we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Our Tax ID/EIN is: 68-0275330.

Will I get a receipt for my large food donation?

Yes, when your online financial donation has been processed, you will receive a confirmation email that you can keep for your personal records. If you donate via our mail-in form, we will mail you a written receipt within 30 days. If you donating food, we will provide a written receipt when we pick up your food donation.

Will you use my donation wisely?

Yes! We are proud to report that the United States Department of Agriculture and the California Department of Social Services trust us to properly order, handle, distribute and account for food valued at more than $80 million annually. We will make sure we give any food or financial donation you make the same care.

Why don't you have a 4-star Charity Navigator rating?

Some years we are rated 4-star and other years we are not. Our Charity Navigator rating varies from year-to year because we have large variations in income. This income variation happens because we receive a higher rate of government reimbursement for the disaster work we do, so our income is higher in years when a disaster occurs. This causes the Charity Navigator rating formula to give us a lower rating in those years, when in fact we are the same trustworthy, reliable, dedicated organization every year. 

If I donate to my local food bank, am I also donating to California Emergency Foodlink?

There are 49 food banks that are members of the Foodlink network, many of which are separate 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations. Others are government agencies. Only donations directly to Foodlink support us to serve the statewide network of food banks. If you are interested in learning more about your local food bank, click here. 

Who supports California Emergency Foodlink?

We receive government support that offsets some of our statewide hunger-relief efforts, however that funding falls far short of our expenses. We rely heavily on our partners and on individual, foundation and corporate donors to close the gap between the reimbursement we receive and our actual expenses.

How can I find my local food bank?

To locate your local food bank, click here.