Feeding Families in a Food Desert

From the Fall 2022 issue of Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services newsletter

After experiencing years of domestic violence, Makayla moved to Sacramento, along with her three young boys, to rebuild her life.  But her new life is proving challenging.

“These boys, they just eat, eat, eat,” she says.   “It costs me more than $600 a month at the grocery story to keep them fed.  I don’t make that kind of money.  I have to decide whether I’m going to pay the bills or pay for food.”

That’s why she’s so grateful that she found the South Sacramento Interfaith Partnership’s food closet.  Makayla comes two or three times a week, mostly for fruit, vegetables, brown rice, cereal, and canned goods.  “This has made such a huge difference,” she says.  “I still go to the market for meat, but now I can afford it.”

“Because of inflation and the high prices for food and fuel, we’re seeing a lot more families turning to us to make ends meet,” says Simon Yeh, manager of the food closet.  “We’re now serving about 3,000 families a month, some of whom never needed a food closet before.”

This area of South Sacramento is considered a food desert because there are no grocery stores within walking distance, so this site is a real benefit to the community. 

“I’m so grateful for this food closet,” Makayla says.  “And I’m so grateful for everyone who supports it.  There are a lot of people like me in the community who need help.  Thank you.”