THERMAL FOOD & DONATION CENTER

Thermal Food & Donation Center was founded by local businessman Ruben Martinez who has been a resident of Thermal since 1962. Ruben Martinez remembers that in 1962, when he moved with his family to the United States at the age of ten years’ old there were no well-established programs set in place to help families who were in need of immediate food. He remembers that he had to ask the local food markets for the spoils and leftovers to have sufficient nourishment for himself and his family.

Currently, Thermal has been identified by the U.S. Census, as a population that is surviving under the poverty line. More than 50% of the Hispanic Population in Thermal are living without proper food provisions. Due to this, a lot of families live in need. Ruben Martinez acknowledges that a great need for basic necessities such as food persists and predominantly lessens the quality of life for those within the community of Thermal. 

The purpose of the Thermal Food & Donation Center is to provide food assistance and relief to families and individuals that abide within Thermal and the Coachella Valley. We strive to lessen the burden of hunger within our community. In this day and age, there is no reason why any child, youth, women, man or elderly should go without proper nourishment. The Thermal Food & Donation Center vows to open its doors so that no person ever has to wonder when their next meal will be.