Helping Hand Worldwide alleviates hunger for low-income residents through our free Mobile Food Pantry Program. Our three refrigerated delivery trucks pick up donations of fresh, healthy food early each morning from our partnering grocery stores. Each day we load our trucks with fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, chicken and fish, low-fat dairy products, high-end cuts of meat and whole grain products. The food we receive is kept cold and safe on our trucks while being transported to one or more of our distribution sites. In most cases, the fresh food we pick up is distributed to our recipients by noon the same day!
Immediately upon arrival at one of our distribution sites, our truck drivers unload the food and volunteers arrange it on long tables similar to an outdoor Farmer’s Market. Recipients, who have lined up patiently, are then welcome to “shop” for the food they need and enjoy the most. This distribution process makes our recipients feel valued and helps them to maintain their independence. We also offer a little something special too, fresh flowers, plants and bakery goods. We also distribute basic necessities such as hygiene products and toiletries.
The Mobile Food Pantry serves 27 distribution sites throughout Orange County and two locations on base at Camp Pendleton. Our refrigerated trucks pick up and deliver fresh food and other supplies daily. Our hunger relief program is unique because we operate on a consistent schedule as often as weekly at many locations. This is different than most traditional food pantries or warehouses which limit client visits to one per month. In addition, by taking the food directly into low-income communities, residents in need benefit from our nutritious food even if they have children to care for, are elderly or are lacking in transportation.