Colton, California · A 501(c)(3) food pantry
We're Ida and Erik. We make our candles by hand at home, and every dollar they earn buys groceries — fresh fruit and vegetables, canned goods and frozen food — for families in our community who are coming up short at the end of the month.
What we stand on
Serving families. Building hope. Changing lives.
We believe in the power of God.
We bring hope to every heart.
We serve with compassion.
We provide food for those in need.
I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.Matthew 25:35
The candles
Each one comes in a bamboo-lidded jar, finished with twine and a tag. $11.50 — and all of it goes to the pantry.
Eucalyptus will make all of your rooms smell fresh and clean. It's a fall fan favorite and the perfect scent when taking a bath or shower. Its invigorating aroma can wake you up and leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed.
Jamaican Punch is our favorite fruity candle scent. Transport yourself to a sunny Caribbean beach as you fill your home with this subtle yet yummy fragrance. Enjoy this exotic, calm and uplifting aroma year round.
Inside the pantry
Pallets unloaded, bags packed, shelves filled, families sent home with food. Most weeks it's the two of us, a handful of volunteers and whoever shows up to help.
More from the pantry on our Facebook page.
Our story
Hi friends! Erik and I created a nonprofit called Candles for Hope Food Pantry. We're on a mission to end hunger in our community — and we'd like you to join us.
Last year, more than 47 million Americans lived in households that didn't have enough food to eat. Even today, many don't know where their next meal is coming from. This shouldn't be happening, and we can no longer stand by and let it — not if we can do something about it.
Our mission is powered entirely by the handcrafted candles we make in our home. We use the proceeds to package and deliver food to people who need it, alongside donations from grocery stores, food manufacturers and other food pantries.
We're starting small and hoping to grow the pantry over time. There are a lot of families who need help, especially with the price of food still climbing. If you'd like to support us, we would really appreciate it.
With love and blessings,
— Ida, Erik and the entire Candles for Hope team
How to help
Every one of them ends the same way — groceries in someone's hands.
The simplest way to give. Pick your scents, send the order, and pick them up locally within about a day. See the candles.
If candles aren't your thing, that's okay — send a gift straight to the pantry with Zelle. Details just below.
Share us with a neighbor, a church or a small group. And if you know a family who needs food, please send them our way — that's what we're here for.
Scan the code with your banking app, or send to [email protected] under the name Candles for Hope Food Pantry.
Zelle sends your whole gift straight to the pantry — no processing fees taken out, so every dollar becomes food. We're a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and we'll send you a receipt for your records.
Prefer another way to give? Write to [email protected] and we'll sort it out with you.