Fallbrook Food Pantry given $80,000 of Neighborhood Reinvestment Program funds

The March 16 actions of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors included an $80,000 Neighborhood Reinvestment Program grant to the Fallbrook Food Pantry.

The supervisors' 5-0 vote allocated the funding to the Fallbrook Food Pantry to help finance closing costs and relocation expenses and a reduction of loan principal for the Fallbrook Food Pantry's new facility at 140 North Brandon Street.

"The Fallbrook Food Pantry is an amazing group that I am happy to support," said Supervisor Jim Desmond. "After such a difficult year the Fallbrook Food Pantry has shown why they are so important to the community."

The Neighborhood Reinvestment Program is intended to provide grants to non-profit organizations for the furtherance of public purposes at the regional and community levels. In addition to non-profit organizations, county supervisors can also fund schools and fire departments, and supervisors can also use money from their budgets to supplement other county funding for specific county projects such as parks, roads, and libraries.

Each county supervisor recommends the allocation of his or her Neighborhood Reinvestment Program funds, although those allocations must be approved by a majority of the board. Desmond recommended the use of his District 5 budget for the Fallbrook Food Pantry grant.

The Fallbrook Food Pantry was established in 1981 and provides food for needy Fallbrook, Bonsall, Rainbow, DeLuz, and Pala residents. The Fallbrook Food Pantry also assists with emotional support for community members and refers individuals in need of clothing, shelter, or medical care to the appropriate agency.

Nearly 10,000 registered households qualify for assistance based on Federal poverty level standards, and more than 600 households are helped by Fallbrook Food Pantry programs. The Fallbrook Food Pantry accepts emergency walk-ins as well as registered households. On an annual basis the Fallbrook Food Pantry distributes nearly one million pounds of food.

Rented space on South Mission Road was used by the Fallbrook Food Pantry until 2019, when the Fallbrook Food Pantry purchased the North Brandon Road building. The new building will not only eliminate rental expenses once the mortgage is paid off but is also larger than the Fallbrook Food Pantry's previous facility. After purchasing the building the Fallbrook Food Pantry began setting aside funds to begin paying off the junior lien.