BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Blessing Box Foundation Inc., as a small, all volunteer non-profit, has been challenged to grow their network of support to those in need and have announced this next phase of development.

BBFI has committed to providing no-contact deliveries to those who are in need, and by necessity sheltering in place.

Calls to 211 have increased with the newly unemployed and those who cannot access food.

At the same time, the local Community Action Partnership of Kern Food Bank is receiving fewer donations than normal and its partner agencies, like the Blessing Box Foundation, are currently limited to services only twice each month.

Canned food drives and other food donations have been virtually shut down by stay-in-place orders and the most needed pantry staples for distribution are in short supply in local stores.

The Blessing Box Foundation continues to distribute roughly 10,800 pounds of food each month via three Blessing Boxes at the following locations:

· First Congregational Church, 5 Real Road at Stockdale Highway

· Bakersfield Family Church, 106 Wilson Ave.

· Sleepy Baby Box Education Center, 3803 Union Ave.

The Blessing Boxes are all accessible to the public and food is restocked daily.

There are no forms to fill out or referrals needed.

For those abiding by the shelter in play order and unexpectedly without food, they are making COVID Emergency Food Bags.

These bags are an emergency allotment of nutritious food.

To successfully perform home distribution of Emergency Food Bags, they need the fuel, food supply and personal protective equipment necessary for our volunteers to make contact free deliveries in keeping with social distancing protocols.

Each bag costs about $10, fortunately, the Blessing Box Foundation is participating in Give Big Kern, now through May 6.

Check here for more information on donating, volunteering pantry staples, or organizing a socially distanced food drive.