about
In February 1985, a Bible study group of four men reflected on the goodness The Lord had brought to their lives and the debt of gratitude they felt. They were inspired to do something in return. Their vision was to glean from local farms and fields the estimated 300 million pounds of food that was going to waste annually and to establish a neighborhood food pantry from which food could be distributed to the needy. A site was found and leaders stepped forward to purchase a warehouse. The Gleaners organization had quite miraculously become operational within six months of the group’s humble idea.
By the end of 1985, over 75,000 pounds of food had been distributed.
The original warehouse was located at 2030 14th Street, Bakersfield. In 2000, the Golden Empire Gleaners relocated to its current location at 1326 30th Street - off the Garces traffic circle in Bakersfield.
Throughout its 35 year history the, Golden Empire Gleaners has fed millions of Kern County residents. Last year alone, over 200,000 people were served by distributing two million pounds of food.
Currently, the Gleaners averages 18,000 people per month served.
meet our board of directors
chair of the board
Tina Burke
Retired
Kern County Planning Manager
board member
Phil Gaskill
President
Gaskill Custom Homes
board member
Sarah Crowley
Bakersfield Dermatology
board member
Justin Murphy
Operations Manager
Grimmway Farms
board member
Michelle Youngblood
Engineering Technician
Chevron
vice chair
Eric Glauser
Geoscience Specialist
California Resources Corporation
treasurer
Troy Fringer
Jim Burke Ford
board member
Renee Massey
Director of Human Resources
Agriculture Capital Operations
board member
Tasha Clayton
Vice President of Administration
Tel-Tec Security
board member
William Melby
Principal
Ordiz-Melby Architects, Inc.
board member
Steve Rowland
Retired - Commercial Claims Administration
Farmers Insurance