Berkeley Food Network (BFN) is set to manage the Berkeley Food Pantry. Both groups view this as a merger that won’t disrupt daily operations right now.
Andrew Crispin, the executive director of BFN, mentioned that they are finalizing the details. A six-month transition period is coming up, allowing BFN to study how the pantry operates. They will also hold listening sessions with staff and volunteers to collect their input and concerns. The first session is scheduled for July 30 at the Berkeley Friends Church.
The Berkeley Food Pantry, located at 1600 Sacramento St, has been serving the community since 1969. Each month, it provides fresh produce to around 4,000 residents in Berkeley and Albany who face food insecurity. The pantry relies on support from various local grocers and donors, including Berkeley Natural Grocery and Alameda Community Food Bank.
For now, operations at the pantry will continue as usual, with no plans to halt distribution. Genie Stowers, chair of the Berkeley Food Pantry Oversight Committee, reassured that the transition should feel smooth for the community. “The food will still be available, and that’s the most important thing,” she said.
Discussions about the merger began in July 2024. Crispin was approached by representatives from the church and the oversight committee about streamlining operations. He welcomed the idea, seeing an opportunity to strengthen the pantry’s services.
BFN was founded in 2016 by Sara Webber, a former director of the pantry. They have a primary pantry on 9th Street and also run mobile and seasonal pantries. In the past year, BFN distributed over 2 million pounds of food through its network of partners.
“The church wanted to focus on its core mission and leave the pantry management to us,” explained Crispin. Stowers echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the merger was about operational efficiency, not funding issues. “They have more staff and resources to meet the increasing demand,” she noted.
The pantry has seen a surge in demand since the pandemic. In January 2022, it assisted 1,028 households. By December 2024, this number jumped to 1,815, a 77% increase. This marked growth prompted Stowers and the committee to partner with BFN for better support.
Crispin added that the need for food assistance isn’t likely to go away soon. Recent federal spending cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could worsen food insecurity. “In nonprofits, the future looks challenging, with more competition for limited resources,” he explained.
Networking with organizations that share volunteers and donors can enhance their impact. It allows more funding to go directly to alleviating hunger instead of administrative costs. Such collaborations are crucial as the demand for food assistance continues to rise.
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