From a Former Drug House to a Beacon of Hope
In 2022, Sahaba Initiative transformed a former drug house near San Bernardino High School into a place of nourishment, dignity, education, and healing.
Today, the Food & Wellness Center welcomes local families every Saturday, providing nutritious food, nutrition education, wellness resources, and a pathway toward greater stability.
A source of harm was transformed into a center of hope.
Reclaiming a Space for the Community
Sahaba Initiative purchased a property that had operated as an illegal drug house near San Bernardino High School and transformed it into the Food & Wellness Center.
What once represented harm and despair now provides food, education, connection, and healing for local families. The center has become an important entry point into Sahaba Initiative’s broader services, helping community members access support before a temporary crisis becomes a long-term emergency.
“We did not simply renovate a building. We reclaimed a space and returned it to the community as a source of dignity and hope.”
Nourishing Our Community at Scale
Every number represents a neighbor welcomed, a family supported, and another step toward a healthier community.
Pounds of Food Distributed
Meals Produced
Individuals Served
More than one-and-a-half times the Riverside–San Bernardino metro poverty rate of 11.9% and significantly above California’s 12%.
Located Where the Need Is Greatest
The Food & Wellness Center is positioned near several public schools in a densely populated and culturally diverse San Bernardino neighborhood where families face significant economic and food-security challenges.
More Than Immediate Hunger Relief
Every Saturday at 11:00 AM, our pantry doors open to welcome families and individuals affected by food insecurity.
We are committed to providing more than groceries. Our comprehensive approach combines nutritious food with education and resources that help families build healthier and more sustainable lives.
Get directions to Saturday distribution →Nutritious Food
Fresh produce, pantry staples, and groceries that support the dietary needs of local families.
Nutrition Mentoring
Practical guidance that helps clients understand healthy eating and make informed food choices.
Cooking Classes
Creative, health-focused education that makes nutritious meal preparation accessible and enjoyable.
CalFresh Assistance
Support with CalFresh enrollment so eligible households can access additional fresh food and groceries.
Dignity, Choice, and Education at the Heart of Service
A food pantry should feel welcoming and empowering, not transactional. Our Client-Choice Model allows each household to select the food that best fits its dietary needs, culture, and preferences.
A Grocery-Store Experience
Clients personally select food instead of receiving a preassembled box.
Nutrition Education
Families learn about food groups, labels, healthy choices, and meal planning.
Dignity and Independence
Choice restores agency and allows clients to make decisions for their own families.
Reduced Food Waste
Households take the items they will use, improving efficiency and reducing unnecessary waste.
We are not simply handing out food. We are sowing seeds of knowledge, empowerment, health, and community resilience.
A Place Built Around Service
See How the Vision Became Reality
Watch the story behind the acquisition and transformation of the property into the Food & Wellness Center.
Help Us Nourish and Empower Our Community
Volunteers make Saturday food distribution possible. Join us in creating a welcoming environment where every family is served with dignity, choice, and compassion.