About Us
From one man's driveway to six delivery locations across Imperial County — this is our story.
Our Vision
A county where all people have access to nutrition.
Our Mission
Provide a “zero judgment” alternate food source “free” to individuals or families struggling in the greater Imperial County, with participation from the community, catering to seniors, those with disabilities and the unsheltered.
What We Do
Free food is delivered to drop locations throughout the greater Imperial County. Volunteers assist in delivering boxes to those in their area who are homebound with medical disabilities, seniors, or homeless without transportation.
Our Values
Dignity
Every person who comes to us is treated with respect and warmth.
Community
We believe in the power of neighbors helping neighbors.
Abundance
We focus on what we can give, not what's lacking.
Inclusion
Everyone has a seat at our table — no exceptions.
In The Beginning
The story of how Don't Go Hungry started
Perry Blacken had been challenged with lifetime events and ended up homeless — not knowing where the bed was for the night, food, water, or even a shower.
Upon graduating from his program, he relocated to the Salton City community. At the end of February 2023, a major windstorm took out 37 power poles, cutting power to thousands of homes.
With Mr. Blacken's knowledge of food abundance and cooperation with Red Earth Casino, he delivered free food to those in the community who were without power but could use a grill or alternative cooking source. These deliveries went on for 7 days in a row until power was restored.
“It wasn't long before 3 boxes of food turned to 10, and next it was 2 times a week and sometimes 3 — and finally his BMW would only hold 18 boxes of food.”
With his upbringing of volunteering and love for people in general, he started picking up food once — sometimes twice a week — and would drive around the Salton City community sharing with residents.
The challenge to deliver door to door became too great and his driveway became the drop point. In August of 2024, the name Don't Go Hungry surfaced, and he began recording the number of people who gathered food and for how many. These numbers would later be used to justify the need for potential expansion.
Soon the driveway had so many people and chaos that alternate locations were selected in surrounding communities with scheduled dates for food runs. Numbers continued to grow. At one point in 2025, there were 7 drop locations and on most food run days the food would be gone in 10–20 minutes.
In August and September 2025, official proceedings were put into place to incorporate and create a nonprofit — “Don't Go Hungry of Imperial County” — which became official on December 8, 2025. This nonprofit status opens the door to expand our volume of products and to increase our service area.
And Today
Our expansion plans require insurance, staffing to operate a much-needed refrigerator vehicle, and creative development of sustainability funding resources. Grants and donations play a major role in maintaining day-to-day operations as well as securing assets.
In January 2026, DGHofIC received our first donation to support our website and software to help manage operations. We are growing every week — and we need your help to keep going.