KCAO Launches Capital Campaign for Upcoming Food Bank Service Center
Kings Community Action Organization is proud to announce the launch of its capital campaign to support the development of the KCAO Food Bank Service Center, a once-in-a-generation project designed to address two of the most urgent needs facing Kings County: food insecurity and homelessness.
For 61 years, KCAO has served Kings County with a mission to help individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency. Established in 1965 under the Economic Opportunity Act, KCAO is the federally designated anti-poverty agency serving Kings County and has continued to grow alongside the needs of the community.
Today, those needs are increasing. Families are facing rising costs, more individuals are experiencing homelessness, and the demand for food assistance continues to grow. In response, KCAO is taking the next step to expand its facilities, increase capacity, and bring essential services together in one centralized location.
The new Food Bank & Service Center will be located at the southwest corner of 10th Avenue and Hanford-Armona Road in Hanford. Once complete, the facility will serve as a centralized hub where individuals and families can access food, shelter, housing support, and other critical resources with dignity and compassion.
The KCAO Food Bank has played a vital role in combating hunger throughout Kings County. In 2025, the Food Bank distributed more than 2.3 million pounds of food, serving 354,348 individuals or 117,756 families through repeated service visits. With the support of more than 6,100 volunteers, KCAO helped provide stability and nourishment to children, seniors, veterans, and families across the county.
The Food Bank & Service Center will allow KCAO to build on that work while creating a coordinated system of care for residents in need. The project will be developed in three phases.
Phase 1 will include a 200-bed low-barrier emergency shelter that will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The shelter will provide a safe and welcoming place for individuals experiencing homelessness, with space for 130 men and 70 women. Key features will include restrooms and showers, laundry rooms, intake rooms, client storage space, and dog kennels. Onsite services will help connect individuals to mental health support, substance use services, job training, and other resources that support long-term stability.
Phase 2 will establish a centralized kitchen and housing navigation center. The kitchen will help prepare meals for vulnerable populations, including children enrolled in KCAO programs, while the housing navigation center will support individuals working to transition into permanent housing. This phase will also include a cafeteria, conference and day room, kitchen storage, staff offices, a medical room, and a detox room.
Phase 3 will expand the KCAO Food Bank and establish a community pantry with increased dry and cold storage capacity. This will strengthen countywide food distribution and improve access to nutritious food for low-income families and vulnerable populations. Planned features include a food bank warehouse, food pantry, cooking workshop center, and community garden.
By bringing these services together, the Food Bank Service Center will create a connected support system where individuals and families can access food, shelter, and guidance toward long-term stability. From a warm meal to a safe place to sleep, from food assistance to housing navigation, individuals and families will be able to access the support they need to move from crisis to stability.
KCAO is inviting the community to be part of this transformative project through its capital campaign. There are many ways to give, including one-time donations, recurring donations, pledges, and round-up giving. Community members can also start their own fundraiser, join the project’s Advisory Committee, help raise awareness, or partner with KCAO to support fundraising efforts.
Every contribution brings KCAO one step closer to building a stronger Kings County where no one goes hungry and everyone has access to shelter, support, and hope.
This project is made possible through the collaboration of community partners, public agencies, local leaders, and generous supporters who share a common vision for a healthier and more stable future. KCAO invites individuals, businesses, organizations, and community groups to learn more, get involved, and help bring the Food Bank & Service Center to life.
For more information about giving opportunities, presentations, or ways to support the campaign, please contact Savino Perico at 559-415-7171 Ext. 1 or sperico@kcao.org.
To make a donation, visit https://www.kcao.org/fbsc.
Architectural rendering shown for illustrative purposes only. Final design, features, materials, and appearance may vary.
