14080 Palm Drive Ste E
Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
760-288-7878
Food Now DHS
Wed&Thu 7:30-10:30 am
Distribution Hours
Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
Food Now DHS
Distribution Hours
Demand for Food Now’s services increased by 74% from 2024 to 2025 (January–December). From May 1 through December 31, 2025, the following outcomes were achieved through Food Now’s programs.
The financial impact of community support cannot be overstated. When you invest in Food Now, you make it possible for Food Now to provide life-changing (and sometimes lifesaving) food. Our food comes from many sources. For transparency and accountability, we record the fair market value. It was $1,143,908. This is real grocery savings for local families; resources that can instead be directed toward housing, transportation, medical care, and other essential needs. Households served by Food Now save an average of $114 per week on their food budgets, a meaningful contribution to family stability and overall well-being.
In addition to our core pantry services, community support helps sustain several critical programs:
During the 2025–2026 school year, Food Now expanded this program to an additional elementary school. In partnership with the Palm Springs Unified School District, we now serve 270 children across eight elementary schools and one middle school, providing essential weekend nutrition to students most at risk of hunger.
Food Now partners with the City of Desert Hot Springs and the Social Work Action Group (SWAG) to provide ready-to-eat meals for up to 250 unhoused neighbors each week. Meals are distributed through the HUB, a centralized resource center offering access to addiction services, mental health care, case management, and other vital supports.
Many of the families we serve rely on Food Now not only for their own nutrition but also to help feed their pets. Recognizing that companion animals are an integral part of family well-being, Food Now includes pet food in weekly distributions to ensure the entire household, including four-legged family members, is cared for.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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 2025, 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.