FORT BRAGG, CA. 9/11/26 — Throughout the year, Presbyterian churches in the regional Presbytery of the Redwoods, spanning churches from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border, contribute donations to “Cents-Ability,” a food hunger program. Individual churches pool their resources to fight hunger throughout Northern California.
First Presbyterian Church of Fort Bragg collects a special offering every second Sunday of the month for the church’s designated nonprofit, the Mendo Food Network, that addresses food insecurity throughout Mendocino County. The food network’s flagship facility is the Fort Bragg food bank on 910 Franklin Street.
On Aug. 31, the new interim pastor Patrick Mecham and deacon Julee Estes met with the network’s newly hired executive director, Rachel Clark, to deliver a $2,500 check from the church’s Cents-Ability program.
(L-R) Interim Pastor Patrick Mecham of First Presbyterian Church of Fort Bragg, Executive Director Rachel Clark of the Mendo Food Network, and Deacon Julee Estes stand with a donation check presented to the Mendo Food Network in Fort Bragg, Calif. (Kathy Hart/First Presbyterian Church of Fort Bragg via Bay City News)
According to Clark, the Mendo Food Network supplements the food needs of 20% of Mendocino County residents. And in this time of significant governmental cutbacks, the organization is now, more than ever, dependent on the donations and generosity of the community.
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Clark described some of the generous donations that keep the food network going. Local grocery stores, markets and farmers donate surplus edible food. What Clark described as “amazing humans” volunteer to keep the doors open at the Food Bank by giving their time, skills and resources. And clients support the process by waiting patiently and offering each other encouragement and hope.
Offering donated clothing to Fort Bragg Food Bank recipients is a bonus for many in need in Fort Bragg, Calif. (Kathy Hart/First Presbyterian Church of Fort Bragg via Bay City News)
The Mendo Food Network distributes food to food banks throughout Mendocino County and also supports these locations:
· Albion (Mondays from 3-4 p.m. at 3512 Albion Ridge Road)
· Covelo (2nd Thursday from 12:00-1:00 p.m. at 24065 Riffe Road)
· Laytonville (4th Thursday from 12:00-1:00 p.m. at 300 Cahto Drive)
· Leggett (1st Tuesday from 12:00-1:00 p.m. at 65100 Drive-Thru Tree Road)
· Willits (1st Thursday from 10:00-11:30 a.m. at 1250 Blosser Lane)
When asked about the network’s greatest need, Clark said that the Fort Bragg Food Bank freezer, which has been leaking and kept together with duct tape for the past few years, is on the brink of total collapse. This freezer is vital to store frozen meats and perishable goods.
Donations and gifts, no matter how small, combined with other individual contributions, can feed a community. Donate at mendofood.org/donate.
Kathy Hart, Ed.D., is the volunteer chair of the community service committee of the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Bragg
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