The Yreka-based food bank serves more than 40 families and individuals each day it is open and relies on grants, local donations and local organizations to fulfill its mission of feeding low income residents of the county whose income is below the federal poverty level, or around $30,680 for a family of five.

As the state-wide shutdown over coronavirus puts thousands of Californians out of work, the Siskiyou Community Food Bank has stepped up operations to keep the county fed. Working behind masks and gloves, volunteers and staff try to adapt to the new reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, which means fewer donations and increased demand.

“Since the virus started impacting the United States, we have seen an increase in new customers of about 50% over last year,” said Siskiyou Community Food Bank Executive Director Laura Leach. “Currently we are doing (food distribution) outdoors. Inside we are wearing masks and gloves. We are all wearing gloves out here too. We have tape marked on the sidewalk for every six feet, and we are practicing social distancing.”

The Yreka-based food bank serves more than 40 families and individuals each day it is open and relies on grants, local donations and local organizations to fulfill its mission of feeding low income residents of the county whose income is below the federal poverty level, or around $30,680 for a family of five.

“We heard about the foodbank over the internet,” said new applicant Laura (no last name given). Laura’s family and another family are sheltering-in-place in Lake Shastina, while the family’s restaurant business sits closed in Sacramento. “Our other option is to go to So Cal. We don’t want to go out that way. This has been a blessing for me.”

With 11 mouths to feed in her house between the two families, Laura said she will be relying on the food bank in the coming weeks and months to keep her family fed. Listening to her story and helping her with the paperwork was longtime volunteer Tasha Temple. Temple helps new applicants determine if they qualify for assistance and can sympathize with their situation.

“My son can’t go to school,” Temple said. “He is going stir crazy and wants to get out and do stuff. It’s hard to explain (a pandemic) to a 3 year-old. We just keep wondering, how much longer can this go on?”

A drop off in donations and a possible shortage of staff is not just a local problem for the Siskiyou Community Food Bank. Since California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a shelter-in-place order on March 19, food banks across the state have seen a marked increase in requests for assistance. To help meet demand, the governor deployed the California National Guard to staff food pantries and warehouses hit by personnel shortages.

“Food banks provide a critical lifeline for families and are needed now more than ever,” said Newsom in a prepared press release put out March 20. “Families across our state are suddenly losing work, and millions of Californians most vulnerable to COVID-19 are staying home to protect their health and the health of others.”

The California Guard initially deployed to a food bank distribution warehouse in Sacramento County as the government continues to conduct assessments statewide for those counties that have requested short-term support. As of now, Siskiyou County is not a county in need of short-term personnel support said Leach. The pandemic has caused a drastic fall off in donations in both food and funding. Staffing, though, is not yet a problem.

“We have a few people that have decided to stay home because they are older and more susceptible,” said Leach, who also has some staff on standby. “There were a few employees that I have asked to wait. If we get quarantined, we will have a backup group ready to come in.”

Leach said each bag of food contains about 35 pounds of food that is ready to be combined into meals. For those with pets, the Yreka Rescue Ranch has donated dry dog food and cat food. “No-cook” bags are available for people who do not have access to a stove or oven. This service gives homeless clients a nutritious option and helps keep the community safe.

“We don’t want to have fires,” Leach said about the no-cook bags. She added that the service is popular with a wide range of clients. “Lots of people stay in hotels. When we explain that all the food is the same and that we have just prepared the meals for them, they get it.”

Leach said donations are always welcome. Staff is onsite during weekday mornings from 8:45 a.m. till 9:30 a.m. to take deliveries. Food donations need to be un-opened and not expired. Those interested in donating can go to www.siskiyoufoodbank.org for more information.

The State of California has also released information at www.serve.ca.gov on ways Californians can support those facing food shortages in the state.

The Siskiyou Community Food Bank is located next to the bowling alley at 1601 S. Oregon St. Suite B in Yreka. The food bank distributes food Mondays and Thursdays from noon till 3:45 p.m. Because of the grant funding the food bank, only low-income families and individuals are eligible for assistance.