History

Father Daniel Madigan founded Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) in the basement of his Oak Park church in 1976. Pained by watching so many people, including small children, go hungry on the streets of Sacramento, he called together a small cadre of compassionate volunteers to tackle the problem. Over time, the number of facilities, staff and volunteers grew to meet the ever increasing need in Sacramento. His passion for helping individuals and families in need is still alive and well in the wide array of programs and services offered by SFBFS.

SFBFS currently operates two large facilities, one in Oak Park and one in North Sacramento, serving neighborhoods with families experiencing some of the highest rates of poverty, unemployment, child abuse and neglect, malnourishment and overall hardship in the Sacramento area. Over three decades, the number of programs and services offered by SFBFS grew from food and clothing to include adult education, child development and technology. Most recently, economic trends and developments caused SFBFS to modify service delivery and in 2008, SFBFS began mobile distribution of groceries through the Food Assistance program.

SFBFS runs a very lean, grassroots organization with an incredibly efficient, professional staff of 40 and a volunteer workforce of over 4,000 annually. SFBFS continues to meet the increasing demands for services by leveraging donations when purchasing food, baby supplies and reading materials for pennies on the dollar.  Through nine diverse programs, SFBFS provides free emergency goods and services to nearly 15,000 men, women and children each month.

SFBFS provides goods and services at no cost due to the generous support of donors, through individuals and company contributions, as well as special events. SFBFS hosts the annual Run to Feed the Hungry every year on Thanksgiving Day. Nearly 30,000 Sacramento residents now turn up on their day off to spend time with family and raise awareness of those less fortunate in our community, generating nearly $1 million to support programs and services at SFBFS in 2010. For 17 years, SFBFS' board member Ilham Saca and her husband Anton hosted a black -tie event, the Saca Benefit Ball, to raise funds and awareness about the organization. Through silent and live auctions, as well as dinner tickets, the event raised $3.5 million in its 17 years of operations. SFBFS also partners with Rogers Jewelry Co. to host an event each spring called Race for the Ring. This scavenger hunt for jewelry uses clues sent via text message to challenge participants to solve riddles throughout Downtown and mid-town Sacramento.

Please join us as a volunteer or supporter and help make a positive impact in the lives of families in need.

SFBFS Timeline