Palm Springs neighborhoods to compete in summer food drive challenge

The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert and Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs (ONE-PS) are launching a neighborhood competition this summer aimed at boosting donations to The Center’s Community Food Bank as food insecurity across the Coachella Valley persists.

The ONE-PS Community Food Drive Challenge begins Wednesday and continues through August. Residents in different Palm Springs neighborhoods will compete to see who can collect the most food items, pet food and monetary donations for the food bank.

Organizers said the timing addresses a seasonal problem: food bank donations tend to decline during the summer months even as need for assistance increases.

According to the 2025 HARC Community Health Survey, four in 10 Coachella Valley adults have had to skip meals or reduce portion sizes because they could not afford food. The survey also found that one in 10 Coachella Valley adults have gone an entire day without eating, a level of need researchers classify as extreme food insecurity.

Charles Huff, director of food security at The Center’s Community Food Bank, said the challenge gives residents a direct way to help neighbors struggling with hunger.

“The ONE-PS Community Food Drive Challenge is an opportunity for Palm Springs residents to directly support community members facing hunger, including vulnerable individuals, families and seniors,” Huff said. “ONE-PS, The Center, and the City of Palm Springs are excited to create a lasting community tradition that transforms friendly neighborhood competition into meaningful action to address food insecurity.”

The Community Food Bank currently serves more than 500 area households each week with free food and other necessities, according to The Center.

When the challenge concludes, the neighborhood that collects the most food by weight will receive The Center’s Community Food Bank Silver Bowl, a traveling trophy the winning neighborhood will keep for one year before it returns to competition.

Two additional awards will also be presented: the Heart of the Community Award, given to the neighborhood that raises the most money, and the Neighborhood Spirit Award, recognizing the most creative donation campaign.

Residents can drop off food and pet food donations at the Community Food Bank and at The Center during designated hours. Monetary donations can be made online, and additional details about the challenge are available at thecentercv.org/one-ps.

• The food bank is located at 2901 East Alejo Rd., and open Monday-Wednesday and Friday (Not Thursday), from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  
• The Center is at 1301 North Palm Canyon Drive, and is open Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

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