OAKLAND, Calif. — The Alameda County Community Food Bank is a nonprofit organization dedicated to feeding those who are hungry. The 80 staffers and thousands of volunteers send food to more than 240 different agencies that distribute it to those in need. Soup kitchens, Salvation Army centers, schools and churches are just a few examples of the places the hungry go for a free meal or groceries. However, it’s not just about feeding the hungry. According to Communications Coordinator Tiffany Kang, the food bank’s mission also includes nutritional education. Kang said many people with tight budgets can’t afford the most nutritional food. Food with little to no nutritional value, like candy or cookies, are often cheaper than apples or oranges, she said. The food bank knows how important nutrition is. Especially for their primary clients, children. Even though students will often receive a free or reduced breakfasts and lunches during the school year, but when school is out, such as during holidays or the summer, kids can go hungry. The food bank fills that gap by collecting donations that go to purchasing wholesome food. Every $1 they receive of donations equals $4 of food they can distribute. The donated food is bagged by staff and volunteers from across Alameda County. Once bagged, it is trucked out to one of the agencies or shelved in their shopping center for representatives from smaller agencies to pick up. In one morning, the food bank is capable of sorting and packaging more than 9,000 pounds of food. That is the equivalent of 8,251 meals for those in need. She said working at the food bank, which she joined in June, is motivating. “My own family grew up on food stamps, so this is an area that’s very close to my heart,” she said. “And I’m fortunate enough to be able to buy what I need now.”