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.
September 30, 2023 collection
This past Saturday, September 30, in honor of Amma's 70th birthday, we collectively donated $2,321 and 162 lbs of food to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. Our donation equals a total of 4,772 meals being served to those in need, our largest collection yet! 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 2022, Amma's Pantry collected a total of 1063 lbs of food donations and $9840.25 in monetary donations, for a total equivalency of 20, 531 meals.
And since Amma's Pantry Project started in 2013, through the community's generosity and Amma's grace, the Project collected a total of 24,075 lbs of food and $28,314.25, for a grand total equivalency of 76,656 meals for local food-insecure individuals and families. A big heartfelt Thank You to all who have generously contributed over the years.
We are continuing this hybrid model until further notice. The food/donation collection dates for 2023 are:
Saturdays:
February 11, 2023
April 8 , 2023
June 10, 2023
August 12, 2023
September 30, 2023 (Amma's birthday special)
November 18, 2023 (Thanksgiving special)
Non-perishable food donations can be dropped off inside Amrita Hall, 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.
