Redwood Empire Food Bank

Santa Rosa, CA · Founded 1987

Regional hunger relief organization distributing food to communities across Northern California

Primary audience
General Public
Work area
Community Services
Topic
Social Services
Contact
David J Goodman-Left March 2024
Website Contact

About Organization

Redwood Empire Food Bank serves as the primary hunger relief agency for Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt, and Del Norte counties in Northern California. Based in Santa Rosa, CA, the organization collects and distributes millions of pounds of food annually through a network of partner agencies, feeding programs, and direct services. Founded in 1987, it reported $84.7 million in revenue in 2022.

What They Focus On

Service Delivery

Providing direct assistance and support to communities through structured programs and dedicated staff.

Community Engagement

Building partnerships and collaborations to amplify impact and create sustainable change in target populations.

Organizational Growth

Strengthening operational capacity and expanding resources to increase reach and effectiveness of interventions.

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2023)

$62.6M

+8.3% vs 2022

Expenses (2023)

$62.7M

+11% vs 2022

Assets (2023)

$54.2M

+4.4% vs 2022

Employees (2023)

90

-7.2% vs 2022

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2023 $62,597,004 $62,652,953 $54,209,843 90
2022 $57,800,802 $56,443,914 $51,931,374 97
2021 $53,804,545 $51,208,429 $49,554,757 101
2020 $70,711,657 $61,560,035 $49,226,826 109
2019 $57,633,222 $45,817,067 $40,679,388 91
2018 $37,509,263 $34,785,880 $27,588,521 82
2017 $42,660,397 $33,735,392 $24,823,527 81

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Identify Needs

    Assess community requirements through research and stakeholder engagement to determine priority areas for intervention.

  • 02

    Develop Programs

    Design and implement targeted initiatives based on identified needs and evidence-based practices.

  • 03

    Deliver Services

    Execute programs through trained staff and volunteers while maintaining quality standards and participant safety.

  • 04

    Measure Impact

    Evaluate outcomes through data collection and analysis to ensure effectiveness and inform continuous improvement.

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Redwood Empire Food Bank

Core Services

Delivering primary programs and services to target populations through trained staff and volunteers.

Community Outreach

Engaging communities through educational initiatives and awareness campaigns that promote organizational mission.

Support Programs

Providing assistance and resources to individuals and families through direct intervention and referral services.

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Redwood Empire Food Bank.

Philanthropy Team

Philanthropy Team

Trey Hart, Grant Writer

Paula Handelman, Chief Financial Officer Before I had the privilege of joining the Redwood Empire Food Bank team, I was a faithful donor and believer in our mission. I have worked in the area of finance for a number of for-profit companies for over 30 years. The opportunity to contribute here has been the most rewarding years of my career.

Finance Team

Finance Team

Rachelle Mesheau, Director of Marketing & Communications For over a decade, I’ve been fortunate to call Sonoma County my home. My decision to transition into a career that supports this wonderful community has been incredibly fulfilling. Using my 20+ years of experience in marketing and communications to ensure families in our area have food on their tables is truly rewarding. Every day, I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute alongside such dedicated colleagues, and knowing that our collective work directly helps those in need is the greatest gift I could ask for in my professional life.

Partnerships Team

Partnerships Team

Lupita Ramos Rivas, Partner Resources Manager Nena Ortiz, Program Coordinator Stephanie Hernandez, Outreach & Partnerships Manager

Patty Striniste, Chief People & Culture Officer As a Sonoma County native, giving back to the community for which I live and work is both gratifying and rewarding. I worked in the for-profit space for over 20 years prior to joining the Redwood Empire Food Bank team and I’m grateful to be able to use that experience to support our neighbors in need. It is a great honor to be a Hunger Relief Worker and help positively impact our community.

People & Culture Team

People & Culture Team

Nayeli Chavez, Human Resources

Jessica Hernandez, Director of Programs My dedication to giving back and my background in public health led me to the Redwood Empire Food Bank. I value our work in breaking food insecurity cycles in our community. Every day, I’m surrounded by colleagues, volunteers, and supporters who genuinely care about our neighbors and work to improve each individual’s quality of life. I’m proud to lead our efforts and be part of this community.

Programs Team

Programs Team

Born and raised in Sonoma County, I am proud to live, work and raise my children in this community. I appreciate that my education and career path in the nonprofit sector has led me to the Redwood Empire Food Bank. It is the work of our community, with a daily goal of doing better, doing more and giving to those who need a bit of help, a smile and someone to share their story.

DJ

David J Goodman-Left March 2024

CEO
Full-time
Compensation: $352,860
AG

Allison Goodwin

Interim CEO
Full-time
Compensation: $211,490
PH

Paula Handelman

Director Of Finance
Full-time
Compensation: $209,148
AS

Alison Smith

Director Of Operations & S
Full-time
Compensation: $198,018
LC

Lisa Cannon - Left Jan 2024

Director Of Development
Full-time
Compensation: $185,341
PS

Patricia Striniste

Director Of People & Culture
Full-time
Compensation: $120,265
AB

Andy Bannister - Left March 2024

President
4 hrs/week
DB

David Berry

President
4 hrs/week
RT

Rodney Towery

Facilities Manager
Full-time
Compensation: $130,941
JT

Joseph Talley

Business Development Analyst
Full-time
Compensation: $124,579
EC

Erika Carstensen

Supply Chain Manager
Full-time
Compensation: $121,275
RM

Rachelle Mesheau

Communications/ Pr Manager
Full-time
Compensation: $119,803
AL

Amy Lyle

Member
1 hrs/week
GN

Gary Nadler

Member
1 hrs/week
GG

Gayle Guynup

Member
4 hrs/week
GG

George Gittleman- Left Aug 2023

Member
1 hrs/week
KS

Komron Shahhosseini - Left Aug 23

Member
1 hrs/week
TS

Troy Sanderson

Member
1 hrs/week

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

CF
Courtney Foley Board Vice Chair 4.00 hrs/week
LM
Lisa McCann Treasurer 1.00 hrs/week
Sheri Wenzel
Sheri Wenzel Secretary 1.00 hrs/week
TC
Tracy Condron Audit Chair 1.00 hrs/week
David Berry
David Berry Board Chair Berry & Babb Law, P.C.
Amy Lyle
Amy Lyle Board Vice Chair Town of Corte Madera
Kathy Inouye
Kathy Inouye Board Treasurer Keysight Technologies

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2023)

$1.9M

Highest Paid

$356K

David J Goodman-Left March 2024

Compensated Officers

10

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
David J Goodman-Left March 2024 CEO $352,860 $2,887 $355,747 40
Paula Handelman Director Of Finance $209,148 $17,382 $226,530 40
Allison Goodwin Interim CEO $211,490 $9,404 $220,894 40
Alison Smith Director Of Operations & S $198,018 $21,721 $219,739 40
Lisa Cannon - Left Jan 2024 Director Of Development $185,341 $10,689 $196,030 40
Rodney Towery Facilities Manager $130,941 $10,751 $141,692 40
Joseph Talley Business Development Analyst $124,579 $14,311 $138,890 40
Rachelle Mesheau Communications/ PR Manager $119,803 $18,718 $138,521 40
Patricia Striniste Director Of People & Culture $120,265 $12,633 $132,898 40
Erika Carstensen Supply Chain Manager $121,275 — $121,275 40

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$2.3M Grants Received
29 Organizations

Top Funders

29 total
SC
Sonoma County Community Foundation
$346K
CL
Calfoods Logistics
$331K
FI
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund
$281K
AO
American Online Giving Foundation Inc.
$253K
FF
Food For Families
$208K
CA
California Association Of Food Banks
$185K
TA
The Albertsons Companies Foundation 2 grants
$125K
CC
Central California Food Bank
$123K
AE
American Endowment Foundation
$123K
CS
Chronicle Season Of Sharing Fund
$102K
+19 more funders
Sonoma County Community Foundation Calfoods Logistics Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Food For Families California Association Of Food Banks The Albertsons Companies Foundation Central California Food Bank American Endowment Foundation Chronicle Season Of Sharing Fund Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc. Farmlink Project Women Giving As One Inc. California Foundation For Stronger Speedway Children's Charities Silicon Valley Community Foundation Patelco Credit Union Charities Aid Foundation America Impactassetsinc Sisters Of St Joseph The Chicago Community Trust Aqus Community Foundation Stanislaus Community Foundation Give Lively Foundation Inc. PAYPAL Charitable Giving Fund Network For Good T Rowe Price Program For Charitable Sutter Health Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund
Sonoma County Community Foundation Calfoods Logistics Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Food For Families California Association Of Food Banks The Albertsons Companies Foundation Central California Food Bank American Endowment Foundation Chronicle Season Of Sharing Fund Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc. Farmlink Project Women Giving As One Inc. California Foundation For Stronger Speedway Children's Charities Silicon Valley Community Foundation Patelco Credit Union Charities Aid Foundation America Impactassetsinc Sisters Of St Joseph The Chicago Community Trust Aqus Community Foundation Stanislaus Community Foundation Give Lively Foundation Inc. PAYPAL Charitable Giving Fund Network For Good T Rowe Price Program For Charitable Sutter Health Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Contact

Get in touch with Redwood Empire Food Bank

Email

[email protected]

Phone

(707) 523-7900

Social

Visit Website
3990 Brickway Blvd Santa Rosa, CA 95403