Emergency Food Boxes
Our flagship service that began in 1986 and continues in similar style today. Clients who are registered with our agency may receive up to ten emergency boxes per calendar year, each a three-day supply of nutritionally balanced fresh foods and staples. Distribution address is 780 So. Davis Ave., Weed CA. Hours are each Wednesday, from 11am to 3pm (with the exception of the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, see below). This program is available to low-income residents of South Siskiyou County, California.
Those wishing to access our services should bring several documents on their first visit:
- Photo ID
- Proof of residence in South Siskiyou County (Pacific Power bills, rent/lease agreements, etc.).
- Proof of residence for everyone living in the home that you wish to pick up food for (mail addressed to them at your home, rent/lease agreements with their names listed, health insurance cards for minor children, etc.).
- Proof of income for the entire household.
At this time, we are not able to provide transportation to or from our pantry. Please arrange transportation yourself. If walking, please bring a wheeled cart or suitcase to take your food home with you.
For questions, please call 530-408-6115 and leave a clear message. We will call you back as soon as possible.
This program made possible by the Modoc-Siskiyou Community Action Agency, Community Foundation of the North State, Weed Union Elementary School District, Grocery Outlet (Weed, CA), Ray's Food Place (Mt. Shasta & Weed, CA), proceeds from Run for Food, North State Giving Tuesday and caring donors.
Community Dehydrator
Open to everyone in South Siskiyou County, this program allows for the safe storage of abundant produce to be used throughout the year. Our 20-rack commercial drying unit accommodates large amounts of vegetables and fruit. It can be programmed at many different settings. Food must be prepared prior to arrival at our pantry. Please call for information on dehydrator scheduling. (530) 408-6115.
Made possible by Shasta Valley Rotary Club (Yreka CA) and Sue Tavalero.
Thanksgiving Boxes
Our founders felt it was important for each family to enjoy a day of gratitude in the comfort of their own home. We are happy to carry on that tradition again this year with a distribution on the Monday prior to Thanksgiving Day. Each box contains ingredients for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
Each family interested in receiving a box must submit an application, which are accepted while supplies are available. Please call or check social media sites. Distribution is held on Monday of Thanksgiving week at 780 S. Davis Ave., Weed.
Please call 530-408-6115 for questions.
Made possible by The Ford Family Foundation (Roseburg, OR) and Cal Ore Produce (Tulelake, CA).
Financial Literacy
A recent $5,000 grant from Pacific Power Foundation will support financial literacy curriculum in Weed High School and some area Charter schools beginning Fall 2024
As providers of emergency food for the last 25 years, Siskiyou Food Assistance notes that 18% of the families we have served are generationally dependent on our services. The poverty rate in Siskiyou County is approximately 16.6%. That situation isn't sustainable for SFA and other area services or for those without the tools to do better. This fact drives our passion to support financial literacy education in our area.
Two years ago, one of our board members offered to pay for the curriculum for Weed High School. The students enjoyed the format of online pre-testing, instructional videos with a variety of speakers, live discussion with instructors and online post-tests. The staff appreciated the depth of coverage it provided for each financial concept (an average of 45 minutes each week for 10 weeks). The students showed an average of 22% increase in understanding the concepts taught over pre-test scores.
Made possible by a grant from Pacific Power Foundation (Portland, OR) and support from Ramsey Solutions (Franklin,TN).
Farmers Market
May - September - Every Wednesday at Bel Air Park - 3:30 pm - 6 pm
Use your Cal Fresh (EBT) benefits, WIC coupons, and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons at the Weed Farmers Market!
With support from Dignity Health and City of Weed.
Food Security Education
Project Overview & FAQ
What is the focus of the 2025 Workshop Series?
The focus of this workshop is to empower community members with the knowledge and skills to maintain food provisions that sustain their families in case of weather disruptions, unexpected loss of income, or emergencies. Proper food storage and preparation techniques enhance freshness and increase nutritional value.
How is this program different from other food preparedness programs?
Unlike most food preparedness programs, we go beyond simply storing food—we teach the nutritional value, skills, and recipes needed to incorporate these provisions into everyday meals. This ensures that participants not only have food on hand but also know how to use it for maximum nutrition and benefit. The 8 week course is inspiring, fun, and full of practical skill building and community connection. This sense of ongoing community connection and engagement helps participants to stay motivated to apply their skills long into the future. Participants are encouraged to mentor and teach others so these important skills and preparation techniques are spread throughout the community.
What can participants expect from the workshops?
These workshops are fun, engaging, and hands-on! Community members gather in the pantry-kitchen, where we provide an educational session along with delicious samples of a nutritious meal or snack featuring the ingredient of the day. We explore its health benefits, demonstrate various preparation methods, and teach techniques to enhance nutrition and absorption. Then, we roll up our sleeves and practice making the food together, ensuring participants gain the confidence and skills to recreate what they learn at home.
How does this program benefit the community?
Participants walk away with practical skills to make nutritious foods at home, learn to save money by purchasing in bulk, and develop lifelong cooking and food preservation techniques. We encourage them to share what they learn, fostering a spirit of community and abundance—multiplying the loaves and fishes both practically and spiritually. Forming connections and new opportunities to share resources and abundance with one another are encouraged throughout our 8 week session together and beyond.
Why is sharing this knowledge and resources important?
Some of us have experienced times of financial hardship, living paycheck to paycheck or struggling to provide for our families, so we know how stressful it can feel. When we are in "survival mode," it can be hard to see the opportunities ahead. We hope to be a source of encouragement and light for anyone facing those challenges, reminding them that with God, all things are possible. Through ongoing observation, follow up and assessment with participants, we hope to prove the success of this program. This valuable information can be shared with other food pantries, thus increasing the wisdom and skills related to food security and nutrition in communities outside of Siskiyou County.
How many workshops will be offered, and do participants need to attend all of them?
We plan to offer eight consecutive workshops. While the concepts build on each other, each session stands alone, so participants can sign up for the classes that interest them most. We also plan to record each session and provide materials so that the information is made available, online, to those who cannot attend in person.
Will there be additional resources for participants?
We are developing a workbook to accompany the series, which could serve as a valuable resource for participants, the broader community, and anyone who wants to follow the program but cannot attend in person.
What funding is needed for the program?
Class Materials: The workbook includes the lessons, recipes and nutritional information for the ingredients that they will learn how to properly store and prepare. Additional funding would allow us to print more copies to distribute this valuable knowledge to more clients and can also serve as a thank you gift for volunteers and those who wish to donate to SFA.
On-Site Equipment: SFA clients currently have access to an on-site, commercial dehydrator in order to take advantage of preserving their local fruit harvest. We would also like to purchase a small mill, spice grinder, and pressure canner. This would allow participants to be able to grind their own flours from the grains they are storing as well as herbs and spices. Lastly, we plan to raise additional funds to expand our program and increase access to nutritious bulk foods and storage materials for our clients in need.
Program Development, Consultation and Training: Kelly Dearie will be in charge of program development, consulting, teaching participants and training other instructors.
We are currently searching for sponsors, funding partners, and food pantries who would like to implement this program in their community. If you are interested in helping communities to become more resilient and reduce their dependence on food banks, or for more information about this program, contact Kelly Dearie: creativecultures3@gmail.com, 831-229-0171.
