GET FOOD

Anyone in need of food is free to come visit us weekly.

No appointments are necessary.

First time guests can just come on in, fill out our simple registration, and you’ll be good to go. Drive through and walk-in service available.

Our team is here to help ensure that you and your family have access to nourishing food, no matter what. So, whether you need a helping hand for a short time or something more long-term, we’re here for you.

Hours and location

Drive-through Food distribution: every Thursday,* 3:15 PM – 5:00 PM

Walk-in distribution: every Thursday,* 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM. See below for more details on this service.

Essentials distribution: every third Thursday of the month, 3:15 PM – 4:30 PM

Location: in the parking lot at Christ Church United Methodist, 1717 Yulupa Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA

All pantry guests should bring their Pantry ID cards.

Walk-in guests will benefit from bringing a cart or some other conveyance to help carry items.

Please return bags for reuse. What we save on replacing bags we can use to buy more food.

*We do close for most national holidays that fall on a Thursday.

Our Walk-In Choice Market Is Open!

Want more choice and flexibility when selecting your groceries? Then come visit our new Walk-In Choice Market, now open every Thursday from 2:30–4:00 PM.

The Walk-In Choice Market is for guests who come to the pantry on foot. It is separate from our regular drive-through distribution. If you receive your groceries through the drive-through, your distribution process will remain the same.

For Our Walk-In Guests

Walk-in guests can check in, walk through the market, and choose the groceries that work best for you and your family from the foods available that day. Produce will be pre-bagged.

Please note: There is no parking available at the pantry for guests who wish to shop at the Walk-In Choice Market. If you are coming to the Walk-In Choice Market, please plan to arrive on foot, arrange to be dropped off nearby or park on the street.

You Choose What Works for You

Don’t want to choose your groceries? You can continue to receive pre-packed grocery bags just as you have during Elisha’s regular distribution time.

We’ll also have pre-made vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free bags available for anyone who needs them.

Getting to the Choice Market Safely

We’ll have stanchions and yellow tape to help guide you safely to the walk-in area. There will also be a dedicated check-in person near the church office to welcome walk-in guests and help you get started.

One important safety reminder: Once drive-through distribution begins, please do not walk across the parking lot. It’s not safe with cars moving through. Please follow the marked path to the walk-in area.

We’re excited to be able to offer more choice and more flexibility. We look forward to welcoming you!

Eligibility

Please sign-up with the Redwood Empire Food Bank. Please note that you can assign a proxy, someone who can pick up and deliver food on your behalf. Look for the option at the bottom of the form on the link above.
At the pantry, you will be asked to provide: name, address, and phone number.
We distribute one bag of groceries and one bag of produce per household
You may come once a week.

We do not turn people away for lack of ID or permanent physical address.

We do not collect immigration or citizenship information and will not share any of your information with anyone. We are committed to protecting your privacy.

What’s in the bags

Weekly, you’ll receive two bags. One a grocery bag combined of food staples from the Redwood Empire Food Bank and food donated by local grocery stores, vendors, and neighbors. The other is a produce bag of fresh fruits and vegetables culled from the on-campus garden, Harvest for the Hungry, and other local gardens.

Food distribution varies by week, but typically consists of the following items:

Grocery bag:

Breads, grains, cereals, dessert: May include tortillas, naan, or other types of bread, plus a cereal, rice, or pasta and a dessert such as cookies, cake, cupcake, or pie.
Protein/meats: May include chicken, beef, or seafood like canned tuna fish and/or vegetable protein such as canned/dried beans or nut butters.
Bonus items: Because we partner with local merchants to divert foods from landfills, we also provide prepared foods like salsa, sauces and soups, salads, fresh sandwiches, or a dairy item such as cheese or milk, and similar items. These foods are randomly distributed in food bags.

Produce bag:

Vegetables/fruits: Depends on the season and what is growing in local fields and farms. Will include fruits and vegetables and may include starches like potatoes.

Restricted diets: We can provide food bags that are vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free. Contents vary.

On third Thursdays, you’ll be able to choose from a variety of toiletries and household items.