Amazon’s Wish List program allows donors to send food and supplies directly to its warehouse

ATASCADERO — In conjunction with Amazon’s Wish List program, ALF Food Pantry now allows donors to send food and supplies directly to its warehouse. Donors click on ALF Wish List, add their selections to their carts, and click on ALF Food Pantry as the destination. USPS delivers the items directly to the Pantry.

Recently, ALF Food Pantry was named Community Organization of the Year by the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce. Formerly known as Atascadero Loaves and Fishes, the nonprofit has been providing groceries free of charge for more than 30 years. Their humble beginnings took shape in the basement of a local church and is now located at 5411 El Camino Real in Atascadero. 

They delivered almost 500,000 pounds of quality groceries to food-insecure residents of Atascadero, Templeton, Santa Margarita, Creston, and California Valley in 2023. The all-volunteer organization is celebrating 40 years of service throughout 2024. Demand for groceries has increased by over 32 percent in the past year, while food costs have risen by 12 percent. 

“Support from the community is vital to our continuing our 40 years of service to Atascadero, Templeton, Santa Margarita, Creston, and California Valley, “ said ALF President Tim Eckles. “The groceries and supplies sent to ALF via this new program will significantly impact our operation. We encourage community members to use this quick, convenient method to help us feed food-insecure families in our community.”

In 2022, ALF Food Pantry made a significant impact by distributing over 250 tons of nutritious food, equivalent to 306,000 meals. ALF’s clients come from diverse backgrounds, including older adults living solely on social security, parents dealing with disabilities, part-time or contract workers, and individuals facing crises such as hospitalization, layoffs, homelessness, or reduced working hours. A striking statistic is that almost half of the recipients are children.

In 2024, ALF Food Pantry is poised to celebrate its 40th anniversary of providing groceries to community members who are food insecure. It’s worth noting that ALF is the largest all-volunteer organization in San Luis Obispo County.

ALF Food Pantry operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and contributions to the cause are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. 

If you wish to donate, please use the QR code or send checks to 5411 El Camino Real, Atascadero. Donations are tax-deductible. If you would like to volunteer, visit alffoodpantry.org.

Find the ALF Food Pantry Amazon’s Wish List here amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/188BZONAJP9S9?ref_=wl_share

Feature Image: The ALF Food Pantry delivered almost 500,000 pounds of quality groceries to food-insecure residents of Atascadero, Templeton, Santa Margarita, Creston, and California Valley in 2023. Photo courtesy of ALF Food Pantry