CalFresh benefits were slashed to as little as $23. Now, we’re doing everything we can to try to fill that gap. Right now, thanks to a generous matching gift from Food Bank board member Dr. Uma Sinha, every $1 donated will provide 4 meals to a neighbor in need.
The Food Bank experienced and witnessed a community coming together in the face of inflation, rising grocery prices and declining government support. Together we provided groceries to 53,000 households each week. But it’s not just about providing food. We are partnering with, listening to, and amplifying the leadership of those with lived experience to address hunger’s root causes. Read more at the link below.
To truly end hunger, we cannot only address the hunger we see today, but we must tackle its root causes to create a more just and equitable society. Together with our communities, partners, participants, and supporters, we are co-creating solutions that provide food, reduce barriers, increase access, and change policies. Our three-year strategic roadmap reimagines how food insecurity is addressed, through community empowerment, increased advocacy, and focus on root causes.
Hunger is not just a COVID-era problem. We surveyed 6,000 Food Bank participants to learn about the challenges they face. The responses were clear. High cost of living, lack of social safety nets, systemic racism and other inequalities mean many struggle to afford rent, bills, and food. It will take collective action to end hunger, from individuals to community partners to policymakers. Read our 2022 Hunger Report to learn more.
Our Food Locator tool can help you find weekly free groceries, monthly food boxes for seniors, one-time emergency food, or help to enroll in CalFresh (food stamps).
During the pandemic we saw a significant decline in food insecurity thanks to investments in social safety net programs we know work. Now, we are seeing those programs erode.
The end of the CalFresh emergency allotments will mean the average household in SF and Marin will lose between $150-$160 per month — many people we start receiving as little as $23. What can you do with $23 in the Bay Area? Even before inflation drove already high grocery prices through the roof that didn’t go far.
The state is looking to food banks and other community-based organizations to pick up the slack, but food banks are at the brink. With declining revenue from fundraising and government support, rising operational expenses and a client-base that is still 75% higher than pre-pandemic levels.
CalFresh is one of our greatest tools to ending hunger. It puts money directly into the hands of those who need it to choose the food their families want. This is why the Food Bank is committed to ensuring those who need it can access the benefits they deserve through CalFresh outreach, application support, and advocacy to improve the benefits.
Pre-COVID, we were already a lifeline for 140,000 people every week. The pandemic forced thousands more to turn to us for help. We aren’t renovating to expand, but to sustain — to continue to meet the elevated levels of need and to be able to serve more than 210,000 people weekly.
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