CAPK helps fight food insecurity in Wasco

Community Action Partnership of Kern plays a vital role in combating food insecurity in Kern County, particularly in Wasco. Through its food bank, CAPK delivers essential food resources to those in need, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the support they require.

"We have 19 different programs that serve low-income neighbors across the county. Our food bank program is one of the most front-facing programs we have because we are present in every single community in Kern County, providing emergency food distribution. Annually, we distribute 20 million pounds of food throughout the region," Food Bank Program Administrator Kelly Lowery said.

In addition to the food bank, CAPK operates various programs, including Head Start, CAL Fresh and WIC, as well as initiatives aimed at assisting with energy bills, tax services and family resource centers, such as the Shafter Youth Center. The organization also manages a 147-bed homeless center.

"We are a neighbor-first organization that leads with heart, providing wrap-around services throughout Kern County. We start by identifying the needs of our low-income neighbors and then seek ways to serve them effectively."

In Wasco, CAPK collaborates with three agency partners to facilitate food distribution: Free Will Baptist Church, Westside Family Fellowship Church and the Wasco Recreation and Parks District. Through these partnerships, hundreds of thousands of pounds of food are distributed in the community.

"Free Will Baptist Church holds distributions multiple times a week, the Parks and Recreation District provides food once a month and Westside Fellowship organizes distributions twice a month. Having multiple access points and times of availability means that there is more opportunity for people to have access to emergency food when they need it," Lowery said.

The demand for food assistance in Wasco is evident, with food insecurity rates hovering around 20%. Lines at distribution sites have been growing, with many individuals waiting up to two hours before the distributions open.

"It's definitely a partnership. It's even in our name. We believe in working together. We couldn't do it without them, and they couldn't do it without us. It's a team effort."

Pastor Johnny Martinez of Westside Family Fellowship Church emphasized the importance of these collaborations: "They're a good company, and they are making it possible for churches like ours to give back to our community. I'm grateful for our partnership, which allows us to distribute the goods they provide. Together, we make it happen."

"CAPK has enabled us to feed almost 400 people a week by providing food at minimal cost. Their leadership has a laser-sharp focus on supporting those suffering from food insecurity. They are constantly looking for ways to help their partners better serve the community, whether by providing refrigeration and shelving units or sharing their extensive experience in organizing food distributions. Over the years, CAPK has proven to be a fantastic partner, employing individuals who genuinely care about the needs of the community," Pastor Paul Hernandez of Free Will Baptist Church said.

WRPD District Manager Chris Serna commented, "Our partnership with the CAPK Food Bank is essential in supporting the well-being of our community. By working together, we can provide nutritious food to families and individuals in need, alleviating food insecurity and fostering a healthier community. This collaboration strengthens our efforts to ensure that no one in our community goes hungry, especially the most vulnerable populations, such as children and the elderly.

"Through this collaboration of over 20 years, our community benefits from monthly food distributions and the opportunity to build a stronger safety net for residents during difficult times. Together with CAPK, we are creating a more resilient, healthy and caring community for all."