Amma's Pantry
Amma's Pantry Project was started in January 2013 as a collaboration with the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. The Food Bank of CCS had started using a model of 'donor drive' instead of 'food drive', where neighborhood team leaders provide a green bag for people to collect food every two months to make it easiest for donors to help.
In San Ramon and the Bay Area, Amma's Pantry adapted this model to make the MA Center the collection point for food donations every two months. After each Bag Exchange, food donations are brought to the Food Bank of CCS. There the food is weighed, sorted, and distributed into the community, including to shelters, food kitchens, and by truck into different neighborhoods where there is need.
February 10, 2024 collection
In honor of sharing the love to your fellow community on Valentine's Day, we collectively donated 160 lbs of food and $1,275 to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. Our donation equals a total of 2,678 meals being served to those in need. Thank you so much for your contribution!
Bay Area Amma's Pantry has over 120 individuals and households participating. In 2020, Amma’s Pantry began including online donations when state health measures prevented meeting in person at the MA Center.
For 2023, Amma's Pantry collected a total of 775 lbs of food donations and $8,173 in monetary donations. That’s 16,966 meals for our neighbors in need!
And since Amma's Pantry started in 2013, through the community's generosity, broad heartedness, and Amma's Grace, we have collected a total of 24,850 lbs of food and $36,487.25. That equals 93,622 meals for local food-insecure individuals and families. A heartfelt Thank You to all who have generously contributed over the years.
We are continuing this hybrid model of food bag drop-off and online donations. Non-perishable food donations can be dropped off inside Amrita Hall, on Saturdays, from 5:30 pm - 8:00pm.
For information or to participate in the Project, email Amma's Pantry at ammaspantrysr@gmail.com
An email reminder goes out before each Bag Exchange date to those on the Amma’s Pantry email list, with details about how to either bring food donations in person or donate to the Food Bank online.
