Rising to Meet the Need: Our Path Forward in 2026
Roseville, Calif.- It was a tough holiday season for many families in our community. The federal government shutdown in late 2025 delayed CalFresh benefits, and inflation kept grocery prices painfully high. We heard from parents worried about holiday meals and simply keeping food on the table.
In response, we saw a dramatic rise in people turning to us. Our PantryToGo lines nearly doubled as more parents, seniors, and first-time visitors came for support. Overall attendance surged to levels we haven’t seen before, with every site busier than ever and more groceries going out to meet the need.
ABC10 Stand Against Hunger
One bright spot was the incredible response to the ABC10 Stand Against Hunger campaign. Thanks to local donors and partners, the campaign raised over $48,000 to support our work. That generosity showed up in real ways, through meals on kitchen tables, packed school lunches, and reassurance for families who knew they weren’t alone.
This past quarter took a real toll on working families across Placer, El Dorado, and Nevada counties. But I’ve been humbled by how this community stepped up. Because of your support, our warehouse stayed stocked, our trucks kept rolling, and our pantry doors remained open.
Match4Meals
As we begin 2026, I’m filled with hope, not just because of what we’ve accomplished, but because our support base continues to grow. Over the holidays, more than 2,000 new followers and supporters joined our community. That growth is a powerful reminder that even in crisis, people are paying attention. It shows how much our region cares and how awareness leads to action.
That’s why we’re excited to participate in United Way California Capital Region’s Match4Meals campaign, where every dollar donated to Feeding the Foothills will be matched to help provide more food to local families. It’s a powerful opportunity to double your impact. You can learn more and give at uwccr.org/match4meals.
“Forks and Forklift”
Looking ahead, mark your calendars for March 19, 2026. We’ll host our first-ever “Forks and Forklift” fundraising event at our Roseville warehouse. It will be a casual, family-friendly evening of food and giving, held in the very space where our team works every day. We can’t wait to celebrate with you and rally support for the road ahead. More details are coming soon, but for now, please save the date.
