Food banks, safety net organizations, and other providers are facing a sharp rise in demand for food assistance. Federal cuts have further exacerbated food insecurity, leaving more families and individuals without reliable access to nutritious meals and intensifying the strain on local providers already stretched to their limits.
To support local organizations responding to these crises, RCCF is offering a limited funding opportunity focused on strengthening existing programming and operations.
Eligible Uses of Funds
Funding should be used to reinforce or expand ongoing operations and programming, including:
- Infrastructure improvements to meet immediate food needs and support organizations experiencing sustained or increased demand due to public assistance cuts (e.g., shelving, packaging, storage, refrigeration).
- Communications strategies to help affected individuals understand changing federal requirements and maintain access to food resources.
- Food delivery system enhancements, such as developing optimized delivery plans or coordinating with other vendors.
Note: Funding cannot be used to purchase large equipment, including vehicles. - Staff capacity increases to manage higher demand or adapt to policy changes.
- Food diversion and rescue efforts to redirect surplus food to food banks and pantries.
- Technology upgrades that improve the efficiency of food assistance programs (e.g., delivery or purchasing software, system updates).
- Program modifications to better serve children, older adults, and other vulnerable populations (e.g., updating food box models to reflect population-specific nutrition needs).
Direct Assistance Allocation
We recognize the pressing need for direct support. Up to 25% of the requested budget may be allocated to direct assistance, including food, gift cards, or other essential items provided directly to families.
