Rural Outreach Program
The Catholic Charities Rural Outreach Program is vital in fulfilling our mission to serve all those in need throughout the 8-county, 35,239 square miles of the Diocese of Fresno—especially those who cannot come to one of our brick-and-mortar sites in Fresno, Merced, and Bakersfield.
Our Rural Outreach Program focuses on serving rural Central California’s most impoverished and food-insecure areas. Using census data and information highlighting areas below 50% of adequate food distribution needs based on population size and income, we’ve identified the communities most vulnerable throughout the Diocese and utilized partnerships to execute targeted food distribution events.
Last year, we executed over 100 individual and unique outreach events in over 40 communities throughout the San Joaquin Valley.
The distinction of these events compared to others includes both trust and culturally sensitive food items that are distributed. Rural Outreach meal boxes include rice, beans, vegetable oil, salt, tortillas, maseca, chicken, and donated fresh fruits and vegetables. Similar to our Food Pantry, they contain enough food to sustain a family for approximately one week.
Today, Rural Outreach accounts for 29% of all food distribution taking place by Catholic Charities.
Click the City below for the latest Food Distribution Calendar.
