Santa Barbara County Foodbank Prepares for Possible El Niño Impacts

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) - The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is preparing for possible disruptions from El Niño this winter.

Its emergency plan is designed to keep food available if flooding or road closures make some communities harder to reach.

The Foodbank has identified 15 distribution sites across the county outside major flood zones. The locations stretch from Carpinteria and Santa Barbara to Santa Maria and New Cuyama.

The plan also focuses on people who may need more help during a major storm, including seniors, families sheltering at home and workers who lose income.

Home-delivery programs and requests through 2-1-1 can help reach people who cannot travel to a distribution site.

The Foodbank can also turn to partner agencies across California for additional food, trucks, staff and warehouse space if local operations are disrupted.

Foodbank leaders are also coordinating with county emergency officials as conditions change.