OC Food Bank

We seek to end and prevent poverty by stabilizing, sustaining and empowering people with the resources they need when they need them. By forging strategic partnerships, we form a powerful force to improve our community.

For 60 years, Community Action Partnership Orange County (CAP OC) is a trusted resource for Orange County community members facing obstacles such as food insecurity, unemployment, economic turmoil and more. CAP OC serves as a catalyst for creating vibrant communities by stabilizing and empowering people with the resources they need when they need them through a multi-faceted programmatic approach. CAP OC programs and services include the CAP OC Food Bank, diaper bank, utility and rental assistance, financial empowerment, workforce development, family resource centers and more. The nonprofit strives to enhance the quality of life in Orange County by working with a network of community partners to address the root causes of poverty and advocate for reform to one day see a world where poverty ceases to exist.

Since 1965 Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAP OC) has boldly addressed the root causes of poverty by walking side-by-side with individuals, families and seniors to ensure their immediate needs are met, while also providing the tools and resources to not just survive but rather thrive. Our goal is to help transform communities in crisis into thriving neighborhoods that fuel economic growth and prosperity for all.

Before the pandemic slammed Orange County with job losses in our once-thriving travel, tourism and hospitality industries, there were nearly 456,000 people at risk of hunger each month. As of June 2020, that number has increased by 4x per month. This population consists of families, children, seniors, the newly vulnerable impacted by COVID-19 job losses and those recovering from medical expenses or disabilities. The pandemic brought on record unemployment rates. While we are moving towards recovery as a community, this includes rebuilding our workforce. Orange County community members who must also rebuild require resources that can help set them up for success.

In 2021, we were able to continue feeding the increased number of individuals through our agency partners and drive thru distributions, continue to conduct workshops like Financial Empowerment and our Success Coach program, while safely adjusting youth programs to in-person, rental and utilities relief. With the launch of our Workforce Development program, we have enrolled 68 young adults ages 17-21 to participate in workshops to develop their soft skills for success in the workplace.

We rely heavily on local support in order to provide millions of meals and supportive services to those in need. Charitable contributions are appreciated to support our multifaceted programs that support immediate needs such as hunger, rental and basic assistance as well as programs that also empower communities, like the workforce development workshops. Volunteers are welcome! Sign up today at https://www.capoc.org/volunteer/

CAP OC serves the working poor, low income and unhoused families, individuals, senior citizens and underprivileged minorities who reside in Orange County. We serve a very diverse population of people of African American, Asian, Caucasian, and Middle Eastern descent. More than 70% of our participant base is Hispanic. The majority of our population lives in 12 red-zoned cities that include the Central Orange County cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove, Orange, Santa Ana, and Westminster all of which have high chronic disease, unemployment, and poverty rates and low educational attainment rates.