Kaiser Permanente has awarded a $60,000 grant to Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) to help address food insecurity for families across Kern County.
The funding will enable CAPK to purchase more than 80,000 pounds of food for underserved residents grappling with ongoing economic pressure and rising food costs.
“Kaiser Permanente’s $60,000 donation is a powerful commitment to the health and well-being of our community,” said CAPK Food Bank Director Kelly Lowery. “This support will help us provide roughly 180,000 meals, directly addressing food insecurity while reinforcing the connection between nutrition and overall health.”
While the new funding offers a welcome boost, CAPK has faced persistent challenges in recent months as broader funding pressures have strained food assistance programs in Kern County.
Earlier this year, Lowery made headlines when he announced a personal solidarity fast to highlight proposed state and federal budget cuts that threatened the food bank’s ability to meet demand. The fast underscored growing concern that funding reductions could affect the availability of nutritious food for local families already struggling to keep food on the table.
The strain on CAPK intensified during the federal government shutdown in late 2025, when SNAP benefit delays increased demand for food assistance. With support from the California National Guard and California Volunteers, the food bank expanded its distribution efforts to reach thousands of families daily.
Hunger continues to affect many families in the region, and while millions of pounds of food are distributed each year, it’s still not enough to meet demand. The Kaiser Permanente grant arrives as food banks continue working to keep up, and during the official check presentation, more than 20 Kaiser Permanente volunteers assisted at CAPK’s food bank, packing boxes of essential items that will be distributed throughout the community.
“Food insecurity is a critical issue that affects the health and well-being of thousands of families,” said Alesha Brown, community health consultant at Kaiser Permanente Kern. “Through this partnership, we are proud to help provide healthy food options to those who need it most.”
