14080 Palm Drive Suite E

Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240

760-288-7878

Food Now DHS

Wed&Thu 7:30-10:30 am

Distribution Hours

Bitbucket

2024 Year End Recap

Food Now distributed 472,537 pounds of food to 9,972 households in second-half 2024

Since its inception in 1959, Food Now has undergone significant growth and transformation to address the evolving needs of families and individuals within the western portion of the Coachella Valley in Riverside County.

Over the period from July 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, Food Now achieved the following notable milestones:

  • 9,972 households turned to us for food assistance—an average of 415 households per week, peaking at 700 the week before Thanksgiving.
  • 472,537 pounds of nutritious food was distributed, enough food to prepare over
  • 600,000 meals, helping families stretch their limited budgets.
  • 10 weeks was the average length families received assistance, underscoring our role in providing both immediate relief and a pathway to greater stability.
  • 236 unique donors contributed more than 800 financial gifts.
  • 30 regular volunteers working thousands of hours per year.
  • 80 shut-in families served by home delivery every week.
  • 200 ready-to-eat lunches provided to local homeless center every week.

As 2025 unfolds, Food Now continues to see this level of serving families and individuals thanks to our donors and volunteers. Food Now also offers innovative and vital services such as:

  • Weekend Meals for Hungry Kids program in collaboration with the PS Unified School District reaches 240 children across 8 schools.
  • Our home delivery program provides weekly deliveries to more than 80 households through partnerships with Rotary Clubs, senior centers, and other volunteer organizations.
  • In collaboration with the City of Desert Hot Springs and the Social Work Action Group (SWAG), Food Now provides 200 ready-to-eat meals weekly for homeless clients.
  • Helping our clients’ animal companions with food provided to us at no cost through partnerships with the Humane Society and the online retailer Chewy.

FOOD NOW was Founded in 1959

Desert Hot Springs is known for their healing mineral waters, people come from all over the world to bath in them and they have for many years.

But beneath the surface there is tragedy. Nearly thirty four percent of the people here live below the poverty line, more than twice the national average.

Dana Johnson, Executive Director

Food insecurity is where somebody doesn’t know where their next meal is coming from. They don’t know how they’re going to put food on the table. Hunger is that actual physical hardship the physical feeling of not having enough food to eat.

Food Now is dedicated to improving the lives of those who are struggling here a Desert Hot Springs and the entire Coachella Valley. We believe that by strengthening families entire communities rise up, we believe by addressing the issues of food insecurity and hunger that we can impact lives and that in fact it will impact generations.

Some of the People We Serve

Man in Cap625
Man in Red Shiet622
Young Woman612
Man with White hair627
Woman with tats holding number617
Young lady in Blue633
Client loading car673
Young Woman 2618
Client woman 339
Client man 078
Client woman 094
Client Outside with bread680
Client woman 093
Old Man Blue Eyes639
Client woman 092
Client with food bo671
Client woman 090
Client man 068
Client woman 089
Client mother & boy 066
Client mother, boy, girl 376
Client mother & 2 girls 076
Client man 369
Client woman 334
Client man 345
Client man 332
Client woman 069
Client man 125
Client woman 329
Client man 098
Client man 095
Client woman 086
Client man 088
Client man 085
Client man 082
Client man 077
Client woman 126
Client man 072
Client woman 097
Client man 071
Client woman 321
Client woman 367
Client man 070
Client man 063
Client girl 348
Client couple 065
Client baby309

Testimonials From Past Clients

Brenda Banks

The group of volunteers at this Food Now program are the very best, caring, hard working which makes my Thursdays! The food is delicious and such great variety. It’s like Christmas 4X’s a month. I was embarrassed needing help, now just grateful! Also thanks meow from my kittens. Brenda Banks

Danny Farnham

Dear Food Now, I am sending a check for $50 as a show of how grateful I am of the services you provide to the community. You are truly a blessing. Not sure if I would have made it through some of my roughest days if beautiful people like you did not exist. Wish I could do more. I will never forget your kindness. With Love, Danny Farnham

Daniel Summers

To ALL the wonderful gals & guys who volunteer at the Food Now, Inc distribution in DHS I doubt that you fully realize the truly invaluable contribution you make to my life and well being, and many many others I am sure. I recently had to purchase a few items at a regular grocery store for an unexpected guest. I was amazed, horrified and practically in shock at the prices of some of the food items I purchased for a simple salad: 99 cents for a bunch of green onions, $1.00 each for a green pepper and a pound of puny carrots. Fortunately I had lettuce from Food Now or that would have cost $4.00. I eat quite well, thanks to your program. I live on Social Security and a small pension. If it weren't for all the hard work of you kind folks, I would be up the creek without a paddle. I don't know how I would eat anything but ramen noodles and rice, and wouldn't that be exciting. I know you people get exhausted and tired of dealing with the few ungrateful SOB 's that give you a hard time. But let me tell you that the other 98% of us are extremely grateful for your efforts. You are all good people and God will surely bless you all for your good works and kindness. Most sincerely, Daniel Summers

Sylvia Lithgow

Dear Friends, This morning I picked up my weekly food parcels an am again so very delighted and grateful! I can’t adequately express what a difference you all have made in my life the last few months! I look forward to going (yes, you’ve made it so easy to bear), am excited to get home and see what goodies you’ve included- like today’s cookies and oranges and jam- along with the “healthy” staples, and can consume all week long. Really appreciate the vegetables and fresh fruit, absent from my kitchen for a year or more before I found you, Thank you for all your work, your attitude, the creativity of your selections, and your generosity. You’ve affected my tummy and my attitude and even the propane I can now afford during our last cold spell. Blessings to you all. Rev. Sylvia Lithgow

Food Now Summary Overview

Established in 1959 as Family Services of the Desert, Food Now has significantly enhanced the quality of life for residents of the Coachella Valley by providing food assistance, community outreach, and support services that foster family stability and contribute to the development of healthy communities. In 2024, Food Now was recognized with the prestigious honor of Non-Profit of the Year by the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce. As a proud Feeding America partner agency and a registered USDA recipient organization, Food Now plays a vital role in ensuring nutritious food reaches those in need. In addition to these national affiliations, Food Now works with 14 local grocery stores and merchants to arrange weekly pickups of surplus food and essential resources, further enhancing its ability to serve vulnerable individuals and families. These strategic partnerships not only provide consistent access to healthy food but also fortify the social safety net, reinforcing Food Now’s commitment to ending hunger in the community.