Welcome to the 2025 CA State Employees Food Drive!

November 1, 2025 — January 9, 2026

Due to the federal government shutdown, more than 5 million Californians are at risk of losing access to CalFresh benefits or experiencing delays beginning November 1, 2025. This means that 13.5% of Californians—many families with children—will have to choose between paying bills or buying food. To meet this unprecedented need, we are accepting donations for the State Employees Food Drive starting November 1! Demands on food banks are expected to spike; we can help meet those demands.

How to Participate

  1. Find a local Food Bank of your choosing and
    • Make a monetary donation
    • Make a food donation (you may need to check if the food bank is currently accepting food donations)
    • Volunteer your time
  2. Join the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services
    • Turkey Drive: Donate a turkey to the SFBFS Turkey Drive on November 14, 2025
    • Run to Feed the Hungry: Register for the Run to Feed the Hungry on Thanksgiving Day — November 27, 2025
    • Volunteer Work: Both of the volunteer days for state employees (December 15 and 17) are now full. Thank you to everyone who signed up to volunteer!
      • Monday, December 15 @ 1-4pm
      • Wednesday, December 17 @ 1-4pm
  3. Submit your donation details through the Food Drive Credit Form to be included in your department’s participation by January 9, 2026.

Volunteer Opportunities

Some food banks have lost upwards of 50% of volunteers and are in great need of volunteers to help pack and sort food. They are taking precautions to ensure volunteer safety.

To get involved in your community, check out:

Resources for State Employees

If you are facing a particularly hard time, a number of local, community-based organizations help folks meet needs, including navigating benefits, counseling, medical case management and some cash assistance.

2024 California State Employees Food Drive

Together, California state agencies donated over $111,000 to food banks throughout the state! As well as over 30,270 pounds of food, 1,120 turkeys, 987 Run to Feed the Hungry registrations, and 1,477 volunteer hours!

View the 2024 SEFD breakdown by agency

2023 California State Employees Food Drive

Together, California state agencies donated over $89,000 to food banks throughout the state! As well as over 11,600 pounds of food, 784 turkeys, 461 Run to Feed the Hungry registrations, and 672 volunteer hours!

View the 2023 SEFD breakdown by agency

2022 California State Employees Food Drive

Together, California state agencies donated over $105,600 to food banks throughout the state! As well as over 22,300 pounds of food, 670 turkeys, 1,630 Run to Feed the Hungry registrations, and 499 volunteer hours!

View the 2022 SEFD breakdown by agency

2021 California State Employees Food Drive

More than 670 state employees contributed to the 2021 State Employee Food Drive and all together donated over $73,061.50 to food banks throughout the state!

We are so grateful for everyone who participated in the food drive and helped make an impact in our local communities.

State Agency Efforts

We would love to share pictures and stories of your agency's employees and their families fundraising or volunteering. Please send them to cafooddrive@cdfa.ca.gov.