Referrals
The Golden Empire Gleaners works with hundreds of agencies and organizations to provide food to families and individuals in need. Most of our clients are by referral from our partnering agencies.
REFERRING AGENCIES
COUNTY OF KERN: Contact your caseworker if your receive any service from the county such as Cash Aid, CalFresh, Mental Health, etc.
All other Kern County areas, please call: (800) 273-2275
SCHOOLS: Contact your child's school office - Bakersfield City School District and most Kern County high schools make referrals.
CHURCHES: If you are a member of a congregation, ask if your church is a partnering organization - the Golden Empire Gleaners partner with many local churches.
ORIENTATION/NEW AGENCIES
Orientation for new agencies or new authorized callers is held on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 11:00 am. Please show up on time and sign in. The orientation usually lasts for about 30 minutes in includes a tour of our facility.
SENIOR SACK
The Senior Sack Program has been operating continuously for over 29 years at 18 different sites throughout Kern County.
Eligible Seniors whose annual income is $15,000 or below must register at a site in their local area.
The Golden Empire Gleaners delivers food to each site twice a month to be distributed to registered seniors. Each "Senior Sack" offers 10-12 items including fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, boxed staples and canned food.
The Senior Sack program is designed to provide both a health benefit of providing fresh, nutritious food and a mental health benefit by providing social interaction and activities at each site as seniors pick up their food. By having seniors come in-person, they are introduced to information about other supportive services available to them.
OUR PROGRAMS
About the Event
ENERGY CAN DO IT! - JUNE THRU AUGUST
For more than 30 years, the oil industry has come together to support the Golden Empire Gleaners through what many know as the Oil Can Do It campaign. This year marks an exciting new chapter as we launch Energy Can Do It, expanding the campaign to include the many companies and employees who help power our community every day.
While the name has changed, the mission remains the same. For over 41 years, the Golden Empire Gleaners has worked to alleviate hunger in Kern County by providing food to families, seniors, and local non-profit agencies. Every day, volunteers and staff work together to ensure that nutritious food reaches those who need it most.
Oil Can Do It has played an important role in helping us continue that mission. The generosity of employees throughout the energy industry has helped provide food baskets for families, support our Senior Sack Program, and ensure that no food goes to waste when it can be shared with someone in need.
KGET MARCH FOOD DRIVE
Thank you for your consistent support of The Gleaners.
Every March KGET-TV, supports The Gleaners by sponsoring a very successful one-day food drive held at the KGET studio. This year the KGET Food Drive was held on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at the KGET Studios.
In 2026, over 6,000 pounds of food was collected along with cash donations.
Community events like this enable The Gleaners to continue feeding the hungry in our community.
KERN COUNTY CARES
Thank you to all the Kern County employees who find innovative and creative ways to support The Gleaners.
This event kicks off on November 2, 2026 and runs through the end of the year. It is a friendly competition between Kern County Departments to see who can raise the most pounds of food. Donations consist of cash and nonperishable food items. The winning department will join the Gleaners for lunch!
GIVE BIG KERN
Give Big Kern is an easy, dynamic, and fun day of giving hosted by Kern Community Foundation to foster local philanthropy in support of 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, like The Gleaners, in Kern County.
STAMP OUT HUNGER
A huge thank you to all the local mail carriers who go the extra mile to support The Gleaners. Our local mail carriers come together in support of a national program providing food to community food banks. It’s a convenient way to help “Stamp Out Hunger” in Kern County.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Leave a bag or box of non-perishable food at your mailbox on May 9th, or drop it off at your local Post Office. The Gleaners will gather the food and make sure it finds its way to hungry families.
BI-MONTHLY YARD SALE
Great deals on NEW and slightly used items!
NEW TOYS, Mattresses, Lawnmowers, Pet Food, Cleaning Supplies, and so much more.
Join us on AUGUST 8
SATURDAY 6:00 AM - 8:30 AM - Come early!
Next Yard Sales: Aug 8 | Oct 10 | Dec. 12
Golden Empire Gleaners - 1326 30th St. Unit A