December 8, 2021
Contact: Amanda McCarthy, Executive Director, 916-705-1096
Sacramento, CA – River City Food Bank (RCFB) received $123,475 in funding to install a permanent solar canopy structure above its parking lot at the Midtown location.
RCFB moved all emergency food distributions outside in March 2020, following the onset of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Pop-up tents were deployed to provide shade and shelter to a growing number of people experiencing hunger in our community. While they provided some help, the tents also posed safety concerns, were unreliable in inclement weather, and took critical staff resources.
With generous funding from SMUD’s Community Solar Program, River City Food Bank will replace pop-up tents with a permanent solar canopy to create a safe, welcoming space our community can be proud of.
The solar canopy will help RCFB to increase capacity, ensure health and safety and care for the environment. In addition, the new structure will allow RCFB to serve guests using a farmer’s market-style distribution which empowers them to select foods that best meet their needs.
“As the pandemic stretches on, the number of people experiencing food insecurity continues to grow.” said Amanda McCarthy, Executive Director at River City Food Bank. “This funding from SMUD ensures that River City Food Bank can safely and sustainably serve our neighbors in need with dignity, compassion and respect.”
RCFB helps people avoid a crisis, including homelessness, by providing a short-term food supply when they are unable to meet basic living expenses. Our programs serve low-income families, children, seniors, individuals who are medically fragile, refugees/asylum-seekers, individuals experiencing homelessness, the working poor, and individuals with disabilities. RCFB serves all people experiencing food insecurity regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, and background in Sacramento County (no zip code restrictions).
SMUD’s Community Solar program [hyperlink: https://www.smud.org/CommunitySolar] is a partnership between SMUD, customers and the community. The program develops partnerships with local schools, nonprofit organizations, and low-income housing organizations such as River City Food Bank. Together, they educate the community on the importance of renewable energy, including solar. The projects focus on organizations that have a commitment to help the underserved and disadvantaged in our community. This allows nonprofits to benefit from lower electric bills so they can redirect their funds to help the underserved and disadvantaged.
RCFB has been serving the Sacramento community for more than 50 years and, with SMUD’s support, we will continue being here for our neighbors when they need us most.
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About River City Food Bank
As Sacramento’s oldest, continuously-serving food bank, our mission is to alleviate hunger in Sacramento County by providing healthy emergency food and other assistance, offering referrals and promoting self-sufficiency through a variety of programs. From seniors to children, from the homeless to the working poor, we assist all struggling individuals and families in Sacramento County. To learn more, visit: rivercityfoodbank.org.
About SMUD
As the nation’s sixth-largest, community-owned, not-for-profit electric service provider, SMUD has been providing low-cost, reliable electricity to Sacramento County for more than 75 years. SMUD is a recognized industry leader and award winner for its innovative energy efficiency programs, renewable power technologies and for its sustainable solutions for a healthier environment. In 2020, SMUD’s power supply was more than 60 percent carbon free and SMUD has a goal to reach zero carbon in its electricity supply by 2030. For more information on SMUD’s Zero Carbon Plan and its customer programs, visit smud.org.
