The distribution served an estimated 600 to 900 households in just a few hours, offering fresh produce, dairy products, and staple groceries. FIND officials say the mobile market plays a critical role in addressing food insecurity, particularly in areas where reliable access to nutritious food is limited.

Leaders with FIND say the Indio distribution site has become an important resource for families in the area, allowing residents to access healthy food closer to home. Despite long lines, the event was efficiently organized, with staff and volunteers processing hundreds of vehicles in about two hours.

The mobile market is now hosted directly at FIND’s expanded food security campus, following the recent opening of its new facility. The expansion added 40,000 square feet of space, allowing the organization to store and distribute larger quantities of food, including fresh produce.

In addition to food assistance, FIND also provided CalFresh outreach services during the event. Caseworkers were available to help residents apply for public benefits, offering long-term support beyond immediate food needs.

For many families, the distribution offers essential relief. Residents say the program helps stretch household budgets and provides much-needed support for working families and single parents.

Approximately 25 volunteers helped run the event, assisting with traffic flow, food distribution, and outreach services. FIND officials say volunteers are a key part of ensuring the mobile markets run smoothly and continue to serve large numbers of families.

Looking ahead, FIND says its free Community Mobile Markets will continue every first Friday of the month, offering consistent access to food and resources for residents throughout the Coachella Valley.

Sa pamamagitan ng Timothy Foster

Published February 6, 2026 2:12 PM

The post FIND Food Bank serves hundreds of families at Indio community mobile market appeared first on FIND Food Bank.

FIND launched a Home Bound Delivery Program in 2020 in response to the stay-at-home orders mandated by the State of California. Through this program, volunteers utilize their own vehicles to deliver 40-50 pounds of food to families and individuals who are isolated or unable to collect food via the various distribution sites throughout the region. FIND Food Bank is committed to continuing this program beyond the pandemic in order to make sure we best serve our most vulnerable and isolated clients.

Our Telemundo anchor Hernan Quintas spoke to a recipient and volunteers who are truly making a difference.

Contact the Volunteer Programs Department to sign up to become a homebound delivery driver at 760-542-2176 ext. 132 or email volunteers@findfoodbank.org  

For more information on the FIND Regional Food Bank, including how to help, pindutin dito.

The post FIND Regional Food Bank’s homebound program helping those in dire need of food appeared first on FIND Food Bank.

Amazon employees also delivered food collected from sites across Southern California and volunteered to help FIND sort and distribute supplies.

The donations come at a critical time. During the summer, many families face increased food insecurity due to seasonal job loss and the absence of school meal programs. The partnership helps fill that gap and ensures more people have access to food when they need it most.

Video: FIND Food Bank and Amazon Partner to Fight Food Insecurity.

The post FIND Food Bank and Amazon partner to fight food insecurity appeared first on FIND Food Bank.

Telemundo 15 anchor Hernan Quintas explains the different ways that you can support our local food bank and our community.

Video: FIND Food bank experiencing higher need for food donations and volunteers in the summer months.

The post FIND Food Bank experiencing higher need for food donations and volunteers in the summer months appeared first on FIND Food Bank.

With school out and access to free or reduced-price meals limited, the cereal drive will benefit FIND Food Bank and The Way Station in Joshua Tree. Donations of healthy cereal can be made at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, JFK Memorial Hospital in Indio, and Hi-Desert Medical Center in Joshua Tree.

Monetary donations will also support FIND’s Kids Summer Feeding Program and The Way Station’s local meal efforts in the Hi-Desert area.

For more information or to donate, visit FIND Food Bank’s website.

Click to see the full KESQ story.

Click to see the full NBC Palm Springs story.

The post Desert Care Network’s Healthy Over Hungry® Cereal Drive to benefit FIND appeared first on FIND Food Bank.

SNAP is the government’s supplemental nutrition assistance program, known as CalFresh here in California. Lawmakers are looking at shifting SNPAP’s administrative and benefits to the states.

The change could cost California up to $4 billion a year and impact up to 125,000 people who depend on FIND for food.

“So if the state isn’t able to pick up the $3.1 to $4 billion dollars that would become the state’s responsibility as opposed to what’s been funded by federal then they’re going to have to make choices on whether or not we have to shrink the program– people could lose benefits. They could lose dollars. The people who really need it are going to be sacrificing at this point,” said Debbie Espinosa, FIND Food Bank CEO.

Espinosa says is worried that California can’t absorb the increased SNAP costs. She’s reaching out to our local, state and federal elected representatives– urging them to protect Cal-Fresh benefits– and those who might lose access to what she calls an essential food program.

Click to watch the full video.

The post FIND Food Bank CEO discusses proposed federal cuts to SNAP appeared first on FIND Food Bank.

More than 100 restaurants across each of the nine desert cities are participating, to see the restaurants and their prix-fixe menus, head to DineGPS.com.

Restaurant week provides an opportunity to experience new menu items, explore local restaurants and most importantly, support FIND Food Bank. For every reservation booked through this DineGPS.com, $1 will be donated to FIND Food Bank.

Restaurant week is open to the public and does not require purchasing tickets or passes to attend. All you have to do is choose a restaurant at DineGPS.com and make your reservation.

Click here to watch the full KESQ story.

Click here to watch the full NBC Palm Springs story.

Click here to learn more.

The post Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week to Benefit FIND Food Bank appeared first on FIND Food Bank.

FIND Food Bank was in attendance teaching local youth the importance of recycling and composting food waste, how to give back to the community by donating unopened, nonexpired food items, and sharing additional food and community resources. FIND’s California Conservation Corps fellows also helped youth and other community members plant their own bell peppers to take home.

More than 10 organizations and community partners set up booths and interactive stations for attendees of all ages.

Kids made crafts and learned the importance of sustainable practices. They planted peppers with compost, created upcycled crafts, bird feeders, and more.

Meanwhile, adults had the opportunity to learn about sustainable foods, like microgreens and date farming.

Document shredding, e-waste disposal, and item donation drop-offs were also available.

The event wrapped up at noon, but organizers say they were pleased with today’s turnout and are excited for a bigger event next year.

Stay with News Channel Three to hear from organizers and attendees on the importance of learning sustainable practices this Earth Day.

Click to watch the KESQ Report.

Click to watch the City of Rancho Mirage Report.

The post FIND Food Bank Joins the City of Rancho Mirage at their first Earth Day Celebration at library appeared first on FIND Food Bank.

Indio’s very own Abi Carter kicked off the 2025 Telethon by advocating for FIND’s mission to end local hunger today, tomorrow, and for a lifetime and calling for donations to help support the 125,000 people FIND feeds on average each month.

“Last year FIND raised over $300,000 to help those in the Valley who are food insecure, but I think we can beat it this year,” the American Idol winner said—and, by the end of the evening and through the weekend, FIND did indeed exceed its previous Telethon total.

Between inspiring performances by other local artists, like the Palm Desert High School Professional Theatre Students, Jeff Hobson of Marvyn’s Magic Theater, and In Movement Dance, the community came together to raise the funds to ensure FIND can continue distributing 20 million pounds of nutritious food annually to its 10,000 sq. mile service region throughout California’s Southeastern Desert Region.

“It was such an amazing night…the community really showed up to let everyone experiencing food insecurity know that they are not alone and there are people willing to help,” said Debbie Espinosa, President and CEO of FIND Food Bank. “[Because of our desert community’s generosity], FIND can lift and launch our new expansion warehouse to ensure we never have to turn food away when it’s donated to us. Together, we are giving those struggling through uncertain times a lot of hope, as they know there is a community here to support them and help them not just survive but thrive.”

Elected officials including Congressman Raul Ruiz and Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, along with representatives from Cathedral City, Coachella, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, and Rancho Mirage, contributed by taking donations over the phone during the hour-long broadcast.

KESQ’s very own Karen Devine, Garrett Hottle, Blake Arthur, and others participated by sharing the need and encouraging viewers to call in.

This year’s major sponsors included the Houston Family Foundation, City of La Quinta, Food Security Donor, Intersect Power, Ellan and George Batavick, State Farm, Visit Greater Palm Springs, Desert Oasis Healthcare, and the Desert Care Network.

Thanks to the support of city and government officials, KESQ News Channel 3, sponsors, donors, volunteers, local performers, and friends, FIND Food Bank can continue to serve those experiencing food insecurity.

To help support FIND’s expansion and food programs, call 760-775-3663 or donate online at findfoodbank.org.

Read the full article here.

The post FIND Food Bank’s 15th Annual Telethon Surpasses Fundraising Goal appeared first on FIND Food Bank.

Update 4/7/25

FIND Food Bank surpassed $350,000 raised!

Original Report 4/4/25

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Friday’s FIND Food Bank Telethon and fundraiser had raised $347,000 nearing the end of the night, surpassing last year’s total of $300,000.

The funds raised will go toward continuing FIND Food Bank’s mission to provide nutritious food to individuals and families facing food insecurity. The money raised this year will also contribute to the completion of FIND’s new expansion warehouse and workforce development center, helping to increase their capacity to serve more people and strengthen local communities.

This incredible fundraising event is a critical part of FIND Food Bank’s mission to serve those in need across our region. And you can make an impact any time – donations are always accepted. Call 760-775-3663, or donate online at findfoodbank.org to help support FIND’s essential services and programs.

All contributions make a direct impact, ensuring that FIND can continue to provide food, services, and programs that lift up those in need.

The post Find Food Bank Telethon exceeds goal; $354,200 raised to help services and programs appeared first on FIND Food Bank.