The Challenge
Our current operations are split between two buildings – inefficient, divided, and too small to meet
the growing demand for services in Kern County. Hunger and food insecurity are rising across Kern County, especially in rural communities with limited access to resources. The need is at an all time high. In 2024, we served more people than in recorded history at our site in Bakersfield – more than our Fresno or Merced locations.
The Solution
For years, our community has relied on Catholic Charities as a place of hope—but today, our facilities can no longer keep up with the growing need. Our new warehouse and resource center will change that, bringing all of our services into one modern, efficient space designed to serve more people with dignity and care. With expanded cold storage, we can provide larger quantities of fresh, nutritious food to families while ensuring no meal goes to waste. Most importantly, this new center will allow us to continue extending our reach to rural communities, where access to food and essential resources is often limited. This isn’t just about a building—it’s about strengthening our mission, expanding our impact, and ensuring that no one is left behind. Together, we can build a place of nourishment, compassion, and hope for generations to come.
By the Numbers
Where We’ve Been, Where We’re Headed
Build Hope – Give today!
Help us build a space where hope takes root—make a gift or pledge today to support the future of Catholic Charities in Bakersfield.
Bakersfield: A Place to Rest, A Place to Belong
Long ago, a gentle Franciscan missionary named Padre Francisco Garces journeyed over the rugged Sierra Nevada mountains, traveling deep into what we now know as the San Joaquin Valley. After many days, he came upon the valley’s first residents, the Yokuts people. They greeted him with warmth and kindness, gathering to share a great feast in his honor. Padre Garces, moved by their generosity, offered gifts of his own—tobacco and glass beads—and he wrote in his journal of the warmth he felt in the valley, calling the people he met “affable and affectionate.” It was a land of welcome, and that spirit of kindness became part of this place.
Nearly a hundred years later, another man, Colonel Thomas Baker, brought that spirit to life again in the marshlands of Kern County, where Bakersfield now stands. Baker saw the fertile soil and planted lush green fields, an oasis that travelers could see from miles away. Much like Padre Garces, he welcomed those who came to his land with a generous heart. People knew that if they could just reach “Baker’s field” by nightfall, they would find fresh water, good food, and a safe place to rest. Generous to a fault, he’d say to the travelers, “Help yourself, but don’t waste anything.” His open heart and green fields gave weary travelers what they needed most: nourishment, kindness, and a place to belong.
Today, Catholic Charities in Bakersfield keeps this spirit alive. At the heart of our city, our doors are open to families, individuals, and children who seek comfort, compassion, and hope. Our mission echoes the kindness that Padre Garces and Colonel Baker showed to all who crossed their paths. We serve, advocate for, and empower those in need, making sure that everyone who comes to us finds not only what they need to survive but also the warmth of a community that cares.
More Information
If you’re interested in learning more about the Foundation for Hope building project, please contact:
Mackenzie Villalobos