Our Work.

The Berkeley Food Pantry is a non-profit organization providing emergency groceries to Berkeley and Albany residents in need. Through the combined efforts of three paid part-time staff, over 100 dedicated volunteers, the Alameda County Community Food Bank, community members, local businesses, and the USDA Emergency Food Assistance Program, we provide emergency groceries for 3 days or 9 meals to over 2,000 Berkeley and Albany residents monthly. We are proud that we provide over 70,000 pounds of nutritious food each month to Berkeley and Albany households in crisis. The Berkeley Food Pantry operates under the fiscal sponsorship of the Berkeley Friends Church, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization (EIN 94-6003752) and is governed by the church's Food Pantry Oversight Committee. Your donations are tax-deductible.

Our Story.

The Berkeley Food Pantry was established in the spring of 1969 when Dorothy Noble, a member of Berkeley Friends Church, was led to respond to emergency calls from Berkeley residents who were overwhelming the North Oakland Parish Emergency Food Pantry.

Dorothy operated her home-based emergency pantry for several months before approaching Berkeley Friends Church to request support and housing for the growing food pantry. On October 6, 1969, the Berkeley Food Pantry opened in its current location with 13 regular volunteers managing the entire operation.

The founders of the pantry wanted to alleviate what they hoped was a short-term problem of hunger in the community. Fifty years later, The Berkeley Food Pantry now serves over 2,000 Berkeley and Albany residents a month. Since 1990 the pantry has been an official distribution site for the USDA's Emergency Food Assistance Program.

Our Vision and Mission.

Vision
To provide good, nutritious groceries, household items, and opportunities for learning and self-empowerment for Berkeley and Albany households in crisis, especially those households at risk of upheaval and displacement.

Mission

Bringing Good, Nutritious Groceries into Berkeley and Albany Homes Experiencing Crisis.