Yolo Food Bank has five new pallet jacks in the warehouse, a significant boost that will help staff and volunteers move food more quickly and safely to families across Yolo County.
New equipment speeds up food distribution
This equipment was made possible through generous support from Raley’s Food for Families grant program. Earlier this year, Yolo Food Bank received just over $40,000 to purchase pallet jacks and agricultural bins. The new pallet jacks feature built-in scales, enabling staff to accurately track the quantity of food as it is collected from distributors and food donors, as well as the movement and delivery of food throughout the warehouse and during distributions. These essential tools save an estimated 20 hours of work each week, giving our operations team more time to prepare and distribute food to our communities and partner agencies.
To celebrate the impact of this investment, Raley’s Food for Families Board Members Carol Barsotti and Robin Gutridge, as well as Operations Specialist Zoe Edwards joined Yolo Food Bank for a ribbon-cutting in the warehouse. Together with Karen Baker, Executive Director, Board of Directors Chair Matt Mariani, and Armando Salud-Ambriz, Director of External Relations, they took a tour of the facility and saw firsthand how the new equipment is making a difference every day.
“These new pallet jacks make a huge difference. They help us handle more groceries with greater speed and care,” says Karen. “Thanks to this investment, our team can do our work more efficiently and more effectively. The new equipment Food for Families has provided helps us keep pace with the growing need in Yolo County, ensuring that healthy groceries reach more families without delay.”
Raley’s grant strengthens food bank operations
Raley’s Food for Families launched the grant program in 2024 to help food bank partners secure critical infrastructure like refrigeration, vehicles, and shelving. Yolo Food Bank
was one of 21 food security organizations across California to receive this initial grant funding, and the impact is already being felt in the warehouse and across the community.
“We are so inspired by the amazing work that Yolo Food Bank is doing in its community,” said Carol Barsotti, Raley’s Food For Families’ Board Member. “We started this grant program because we recognize that infrastructural needs can streamline processes and make services more efficient. Raley’s Food for Families couldn’t be happier to be supporting this organization in a way that will help it continue to fight hunger and address food insecurity in Yolo County.”
Yolo Food Bank is deeply grateful for Raley’s partnership and investment. Their support ensures that the warehouse has the tools it needs to keep pace with growing demand and to provide families with nutritious food when it is needed most.
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