BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) \u2014 Local agencies in Bakersfield are stepping up to help families with food insecurities during spring break.<\/p>\n
For many families, school is mostly education. But for others, it also provides much-needed meals for their children. So when class is not in session, it can be a hardship.<\/p>\n
Bakersfield teen\u2019s kidney battle leads to inspiring life transformation <\/a><\/p>\n On Wednesday, there was a line to get into the CAPK Food Bank. The pantry is open year-round, but when kids are out of school, it tends to have more guests.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s hard because a lot of folks just rely on that one meal at lunch sometimes,\u201d said Ashley Padron, volunteer coordinator at CAPK Food Bank. \u201cSo being able to help bridge that gap, even just for spring break or even for the summer when it comes up, means a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n Children, who would usually be at school, showed up at the pantry with their families in hopes of getting something they needed \u2014 food.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can get goods like meat, eggs, veggies,\u201d Padron said. \u201cWe have spaghetti, we have Mac and Cheese \u2014 Top Ramen. What we like about the choice pantry is that it\u2019s your choice, as opposed to us giving you a box and hoping it works. You can come and choose what\u2019s right for you and your family.\u201d<\/p>\n A mother of three said local food pantries are a big help when school is not in session. Some families don\u2019t have a budget for five or more extra meals throughout the week. So, for them, there are emergency boxes.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ll have cereal, or oatmeal, spaghetti, veggies, fruit \u2014 just essentials that will help them, keep them through the next week or so,\u201d Padron said.<\/p>\n Volunteers at the food bank encouraged the community to use the food bank if they need it.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re not alone. It\u2019s hard, especially right now with everything going up,\u201d Padron said. \u201cBut there are resources available to help you. There\u2019s never any shame in asking for help.\u201d<\/p>\n CAPK\u2019s food pantry is open from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n For people in need of a hot meal on the spot, St. Vincent de Paul Bakersfield gives out cooked food daily, such as beef stew and bread.<\/p>\n \u201cWe actually serve three meals a day,\u201d said John Thompson, a staff member at the St. Vincent de Paul Center. \u201cAt 8:30, lunch at 11:30, and then we do a 2:30 meal.\u201d<\/p>\n Watch \u2018After Sunrise\u2019 on KGET+; Click to learn how to get KGET+ on your smart TV devices <\/a><\/p>\n He said it\u2019s not unusual to see families during spring break.<\/p>\n \u201cWe did send some lunch to a father and a mother earlier today to take to their children,\u201d Thompson said.<\/p>\n St. Vincent de Paul Center is located at 316 Baker St. Click here<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n