These tips and resources may help you get healthy food for your family.
The holidays can be fun, but they can also be hard. You might feel sad, tired or worried about money. Feeding your family can be more costly when kids are out of school in November and December for holiday breaks. These tips and resources can help!
Tips for the holiday season
- Plan ahead: If you can, make a grocery list. It helps you buy what you really need.
- Cook when you can: Cooking meals can save you money, and homemade meals are often healthier than more convenient options, such as drive-thru.
- Use what you have: Don’t throw away food! Use leftovers to make new meals such as soups, casseroles, omelets or frittatas.
- Eat fruits and veggies: They are good snacks and sides, and they help you get the most nutrition for the cost.
Resources to get healthy food for your family
Here are some resources that can help your family get healthy food:
- Alliance Enhanced Care Management (ECM).
- Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program.
- Local food banks.
- CalFresh.
Alliance Enhanced Care Management (ECM)
The Alliance ECM program has food resources such as meal delivery available for those that qualify. You must have a medical need to be able to get meal delivery. You can fill out the meal delivery form here. If you need help filling out the form or have any questions, please call 831-430-5512.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program
WIC is available in Mariposa, Merced, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties. It provides food resources for women, infants and children up to age 5. You can visit the WIC website, call them at 800-852-5770, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or email [email protected]. You can also get information in English, Spanish, Hmong and other languages.
Local food banks
Food banks can give you fresh food and help you sign up for CalFresh.
Mariposa County
- Merced County Food Bank: 209-726-3663. (Serving Merced and Mariposa counties).
- Manna House of Mariposa: 209-742-7985, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Mariposa Heritage House Food Pantry: 209-966-7770. Call on a Monday to check if you can get a food box.
Merced County
- Merced County Food Bank: 209-726-3663. (Serving Merced and Mariposa counties).
- Merced Lao Family Community, Inc: 209-384-7384
- Catholic Charities: 209-383-2494
- The People’s Pantry: 209-255-1801. Every Saturday from 9-10 a.m. 936 West 18th St.
- Bethel Community Church, Los Banos: 209-827-0797
- USDA Food Distribution: 209-726-3663. 3rd Friday of the month, 1-3 pm.
Monterey County
- Food Bank for Monterey County: 831-758-1523
- Catholic Charities, Monterey Peninsula: 831-393-3110
- Catholic Charities, Salinas Valley: 831-422-0602
San Benito County
- Community Food Bank of San Benito: 831-637-0340
Santa Cruz County
- Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County Community Food Hotline: 831-662-0991, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Catholic Charities, Santa Cruz: 831-431–6939
- Catholic Charities, Watsonville: 831-722-2675
- Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes: 831-722-4144
- St. Francis Catholic Soup Kitchen: 831-459-6712
CalFresh
CalFresh can help you with money to buy food. You can ask for CalFresh benefits online or by calling your county’s CalFresh office.
Mariposa County
209-966-2000
800-549-6741
Merced County
209-385-3000
Monterey County
877-410-8823
San Benito County
831-636-4180
Santa Cruz County
888-421-8080
