Mother Lode Food Project

Building Community, Sharing Food

The Mother Lode Food Project in Tuolumne County is a non-stop food donor drive modeled after the Ashland Food Project. Our goal is to ensure that our neighbors-in-need have a year round supply of food, not just during the holidays. All food stays local! We currently work with Nancy's Hope, Interfaith, and the Jamestown Family Resource Center.

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Mother Lode Food Project Community Food Sharing

How We Make A Difference

Who We Are

The Mother Lode Food Project in Tuolumne County is a non-stop food donor drive modeled after the Ashland Food Project. Our goal is to ensure that our neighbors-in-need have a year round supply of food, not just during the holidays. All food stays local!

How It Works

  1. 1Each week, buy just one extra non-perishable food item when you go shopping.
  2. 2Store it in our Green Bag.
  3. 3Every other month we'll help you get the bag to a local food pantry! Drop-off locations all over Tuolumne County.

Results

200,000+

pounds of food donated

$12,000+

in cash to local pantries

As of December 2024

Who Gets the Food?

All food collected by the Mother Lode Food Project stays local in Tuolumne County. We distribute to three main community partners:

Nancy's Hope

Providing emergency food assistance to individuals and families in need.

Interfaith

Supporting community members with food and other essential resources.

Jamestown Family Resource Center

Helping families access food and other critical services.

These organizations work directly with our community members experiencing food insecurity, ensuring your donations reach those who need them most.

Neighborhood Coordinators

Neighborhood Coordinators are the backbone of our food collection system. They manage food collection in their neighborhoods and help build community connections.

What Coordinators Do

  • Distribute green collection bags to neighbors who want to participate
  • Collect filled bags on designated collection days (every two months)
  • Deliver food to designated drop-off locations
  • Leave replacement bags for the next collection
  • Build community connections in their neighborhoods

Become a Coordinator

We're always looking for new neighborhood coordinators to help expand our reach. As a coordinator, you'll:

  • Make a significant impact in fighting local hunger
  • Strengthen connections in your neighborhood
  • Only requires a few hours every two months
Volunteer as Coordinator

Most Needed Items

Our partner food pantries are always in need of these non-perishable items. When filling your green bag, please consider including these high-demand foods:

Protein

  • Canned tuna or chicken
  • Peanut butter
  • Beans (canned or dry)
  • Canned soups with protein
  • Nuts and trail mixes

Grains & Staples

  • Rice
  • Pasta
  • Cereal
  • Oatmeal
  • Pasta sauce

Other Essentials

  • Canned vegetables
  • Canned fruit
  • Cooking oil
  • Shelf-stable milk
  • Hygiene items

Please note: We cannot accept expired food, opened packages, homemade items, or alcoholic beverages. Glass containers are accepted but plastic and canned items are preferred for safety.

Join the Mother Lode Food Project

Whether you want to donate food, become a neighborhood coordinator, or volunteer in other ways, your contribution makes a difference.

How You Can Help

Become a Food Donor

Fill a green bag with non-perishable food every two months

Become a Coordinator

Manage food collection in your neighborhood

Volunteer

Help with food sorting, distribution, or events