Category: Programs

“This Is the Village”: Homeless Prenatal Program

June 23, 2025

Pregnancy and parenthood are overwhelming even in the most ideal circumstances. For some, the time before a baby arrives is spent choosing the right stroller or figuring out how to install a car seat. But for parents without stable housing or income, the stakes are higher. Every decision feels critical: rent or diapers, formula or gas, all while trying to get enough nourishing food to support a healthy pregnancy. 

For 36 years, Homeless Prenatal Program (HPP) has helped lighten the load for expecting parents by providing the tools and support they need to build healthy, stable families. Located in San Francisco’s Mission District, HPP connects pregnant people and their partners with parenting classes, case management, housing support, and fresh groceries through a long-standing partnership with the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank. 

For many staff members, the work is deeply personal. 

Rashawna and Mike

“My journey started here,” declares Mike Brown, a Community Staff Member at HPP. “I used these services before, and now I’m able to give back. I owe it.” 

Mike oversees the same pantry line he once stood in as a kid. His connection to the Food Bank goes back decades, to when his mom turned to HPP for support while raising him on her own and trying to get by during unemployment. 

“My mom had me young,” he says. “So we basically grew up together.” He remembers the palpable relief of leaving the pantry with food. It’s why he admires his mother for the strength it took to ask for help, and why he understands how much that support means to families. 

“Whether it’s a bag of rice or the eggs this week, it’s all very necessary,” Mike says. “It may be just some carrots and some radishes, but that goes a long way when you have nothing.” 

As Mike shares his story, Rashawna nods in agreement. She found HPP in 2009, when she was pregnant and full of questions. “Back then, there were not many mom classes available,” she recalls. “[HPP] had the support I needed.” 

Through breastfeeding education and peer support, she was able to prepare for her growing family. And with crucial access to fresh produce and pantry staples from the Food Bank, she built a stable foundation for her and her child. 

“It was feeding me, it was feeding my children. It was putting food in the household,” Rashawna says. “When you don’t have that money to make ends meet, then you have the food [from the Food Bank] to rely on. Even if you’re vegetarian, you can make a really good meal.” 

The support she received was transformative, and Rashawna is now an intern in HPP’s paid community health worker apprenticeship. “I was a client,” Rashawna says, “and now being able to give back is a wonderful opportunity.” 

Linda

Linda has spent 12 years on HPP’s operations team, helping run the Food Bank’s weekly food distributions. She says stories like Mike’s and Rashawna’s show just how powerful the partnership between HPP and the Food Bank really is. “What’s special about Homeless Prenatal is serving the community and seeing all these beautiful little children thrive,” she says. “It takes a village to raise a child, but it takes a village to raise a community. This is it. This is the village.” 

But with shrinking budgets and looming cuts on all levels of government, she’s worried about how much support HPP will be able to provide. And Food Bank contributions are more essential than ever. 

“Right now, San Francisco-Marin Food Bank is our only source of fresh fruits and vegetables,” Linda says. “Due to the budget cuts, we no longer have different resources… we rely on the Food Bank.” 

She remembers when HPP could assemble Mom Boxes filled with peanut butter, rice, beans, apples, and chicken. They’d then supplement them with Food Bank extras to round out the meal. But those boxes are no longer possible. “Now we’re just giving Food Bank food,” Linda says. “People are thankful, but it’s hard to see a mom walk away without a bag, especially when she’s picking up right before school drop-off.” 

That strain isn’t unique to HPP. Across the Food Bank’s network, staff and volunteers are bracing for what comes next. Lucia Ruiz, a Senior Program Manager at the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, hears that uncertainty every day. 

“We don’t know yet exactly how federal budget cuts are going to affect us, but we do expect there could be fewer of certain items coming in,” she says. “What we do know is that we’re incredibly grateful for the support of donors and community members — it’s what allows us to keep these programs going.” 

Lucia says it’s that sense of community and commitment to showing up for each other that will carry partners like HPP through these uncertain times 

“This pantry is more than a food distribution site,” she says. It’s a trusted hub where families get groceries, diapers, and other essentials,” she says. “Even during the pandemic, they kept their doors open. That tells you what kind of community this is.”

CalFresh: More Than Meets the Eye

May 16, 2025

When families enroll in CalFresh, it opens the door to more than groceries. 

Formerly known as food stamps, CalFresh is a vital part of the social safety net. Despite helping thousands stay above the poverty line, California’s participation rate is just 81 percent, ranking 31st in the country. To change this, the Food Bank is working to improve the system through outreach, advocacy, and policy. We co-sponsored AB 518, a new state law that requires California to identify people who are eligible but not enrolled and develop new ways to reach them to get them enrolled. 

Last year, our team helped more than 2,400 people apply for CalFresh, unlocking $6.5 million in benefits for households in San Francisco and Marin. That’s money our neighbors can use to buy the food they need enabling families and communities to thrive.  

CalFresh Puts Food on the Table… and Diapers in the Closet 

In addition to enabling our participants to put food on their tables, CalFresh enable recipients to access other important benefits. For families with young children, the cost of diapers adds up quickly. Too often, parents are forced to choose between diapers and food. That’s where CalFresh, the Food Bank, and community partners like Homeless Prenatal Program (HPP) come together. The San Francisco Diaper Bank, a partnership between the SF Human Services Agency and family resource centers like Homeless Prenatal Program, offers a free monthly supply of diapers to CalFresh families with children under two. At HPP, a long-standing Food Bank partner, families can pick up diapers and healthy groceries in one stop. It’s a model of seamless support that strengthens the safety net and addresses the root causes of hunger. 

Outreach That Meets People Where They Are 

We know that CalFresh is a proven strategy in reducing food insecurity. But stigma, immigration concerns, and a complex application process keep far too many people in San Francisco and Marin from getting help. 

That’s why the Food Bank’s CalFresh Outreach team works closely with partners to provide outreach, education, and one-on-one support to enroll more eligible residents. 

“The Food Bank’s free grocery programming is designed to support low-income residents of San Francisco and Marin to supplement their food budgets,” says Liliana Sandoval, our Senior Director of Programs and Outreach. “Starting CalFresh outreach at the Food Bank was an obvious choice.” 

Bringing CalFresh into the Food Bank’s mission was a natural step, Liliana says, since even a small benefit can make a difference. 

“Folks can attend a pantry and receive CalFresh,” she explains. “Even if they only get the minimum monthly benefit, they can buy food that isn’t available at the pantries. Ultimately, we want people to have a bit more ease in their daily lives.” 

Building Confidence, Busting Myths 

One way we strengthen the region’s CalFresh outreach is by providing training opportunities for our partners who make expanding CalFresh enrollment possible. 

In March 2025, the Food Bank’s CalFresh Outreach Team hosted its first in-person training since the pandemic. Staff from community organizations across San Francisco and Marin were excited to come together to deepen their understanding of the CalFresh application process and build skills to better support participants.  

“Community means more than ever right now,” Liliana said at the start of the day. “We’re all here to learn from each other.” 

The training covered everything from household composition and income rules to immigration-related eligibility and how to help people navigate BenefitsCal, the website where people can apply for and manage their public benefits  Partners also learned about new updates, like chip-enabled CalFresh cards that reduce fraud, and additional benefits like discounts on museums, internet, and more. 

Partners who joined the training shared real fears their clients have, especially older adults, immigrants, and students. Some talked about legal permanent residents who were afraid to apply, worried it could affect their families. 

“There’s so much fear out there,” Liliana said. “And that’s why we’re doing this.” 

Another one of the myths that Liliana and her team are working to dispel is around who is eligible for CalFresh and who isn’t. Many people assume they don’t qualify, while others have tried before and stopped because the process was too difficult or unclear. 

She wishes more people understood what CalFresh is really about: it’s a tool for dignity, stability, and choice. 

“There is no nutrition restriction on what folks can buy, and most grocery stores, farmers markets, and big chain stores accept CalFresh,” Liliana says. People can choose what they want to eat and where to shop. Everyone needs food, and that’s why we are here — to help folks access it.”  

As CalFresh Awareness Month continues, the Food Bank’s Outreach Team is out in the community nearly every day, visiting schools, events, and pantries to raise awareness and enroll new participants.  

It’s a busy season, but the mission remains the same: meet people where they are, walk with them through the process, and open the door to resources that make things a little more manageable for families. 

And connecting folks to CalFresh can open doors to many other cost-saving resources they might not expect. Through CalFresh, people may also be eligible for: 

  • Transit discounts 
  • Free or low-cost cell phone service through the federal Lifeline program — sometimes even a free phone 
  • Affordable internet from major providers, with plans starting as low as $10 per month 
  • Half off Amazon Prime through Prime Access 
  • Free museum admission 

“Life is already so complex, and our low-income community members have to navigate so much just to meet their basic needs,” Liliana says.  “Our team loves reminding partners about these added benefits, because CalFresh isn’t just about food. It’s about making everyday life a little easier.” 

 

“Mama” Jean: Feeding Body and Spirit

May 7, 2025

Jean Baker has a joyful smile and ebullient spirit, and both seem to shine prominently on the cover page of the Food Bank’s 2023-24 Annual Report. Now retired, and focused on family and her faith, for years Jean served as a steadfast connection between the Food Bank and participants who came to a food pantry at her church in the Mission District in San Francisco.

Beginnings

In 1976, Jean Baker immigrated to the US from the Philippines with no money, job, or family in the area. “When I first came here being an immigrant, I struggled to survive. Every penny I saved so I can buy food. I didn’t know about government help. I worked part-time here, part-time there, because I couldn’t get a regular job. All I knew was to survive, get work, get paid, and buy your food,” she shared. Jean went on to secure full-time work and raise her three kids — but her experiences of struggle shaped her desire to ensure others wouldn’t undergo the same hardships. “My family back home, they engaged in a lot of social welfare in the church, helping others,” Jean recalls. “So, when I had the opportunity here, I decided to do what my parents were doing.”

Transformative Leadership

17 years ago, Jean was attending church when her priest asked if there were any volunteers to help staff their new food pantry. At the start, other church members took charge of the program, but soon, Jean, who would become affectionately nicknamed ‘Mama Jean’ because of her caring nature, was asked to take the lead. “I accepted because I see a lot of homeless people,” she explains. “They need resources, they need food. Food is the essence of life. So, I dedicated myself to doing this kind of work.”

And dedicated she was. Every Saturday at 6:30 a.m., Jean would meet a Food Bank delivery truck at the pantry. A core group of volunteers — many unhoused community members and participants — helped her unload pallets of food. But Jean quickly noticed they could run the pantry more efficiently outside in the church’s garden. Her idea for a farmer’s market-style set-up in the church courtyard allowed participants to enjoy the fresh air while choosing from healthy, nutritious food supplied by the Food Bank. Rain or shine, Jean and her team shared groceries with 175 households each week.

Tina Gonzales (left) with Jean Baker (right)

For Tina Gonzales, Director of Community Partnerships, individuals like Mama Jean are unsung heroes who rightfully deserve our appreciation. “These are actually pillars of the community doing the work for free!” observed Tina. Because committed individuals like Jean accomplish so much with little infrastructure (she doesn’t regularly use a smartphone), having direct face-to-face connections is key.

“We don’t want them to say yes to everything because they will. But are they overwhelmed? Do they have enough support, or are they biting off more than they can chew? Sometimes, we’ve got to go have a cup of coffee with them or have a friendly visit just to see how they’re doing,” says Tina.

A good percentage of network pantries serving food are faith-based and feeding people is part of their ministry. “I think for someone like Jean, this is her life work. So, we have people who fit the category of like, ‘this is my nine to five job, and I run a pantry.’ Then, we have people like Jean who are more like, ‘This is my calling, and this is how I give back.'”

End of an Era

Sadly, after 16 years, her church announced the hard decision to close the pantry last June. “It was heartbreaking,” recalled Jean, with a hushed voice. But as she had for the past 16 years, she handed out food to her neighbors on the last day of pantry service. The pantry closure was not what Jean hoped for. But she still attends church services and volunteers to tend to the garden. Presently, Jean is taking time to find ways to continue serving the community she loves. Until then, she can reflect on her experience with a smile: “Every Saturday, we met [at] the same place, doing work like a happy family. All we got here are a lot of good memories.”

With Appreciation

Another good memory for Jean was a much-deserved honor from the Food Bank. On the closure date, in recognition of her longstanding leadership and partnership as a pantry coordinator, Jean was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for her 16 years of service to our participants and helping the community. The praise drew smiles from all in attendance, including Tina, and a beaming smile from Jean herself.

With Mother’s Day just ahead of us and in recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we thank you, Mama Jean, for your generosity, inspired calling to help others, and tremendous service to the Mission community. You are appreciated.

Nourishing the Neighborhood: Mary Elizabeth Inn

April 14, 2025

“This is amazing — more than amazing, honestly, because eating is a human right.” – Ebony Green, Property Manager

At the Food Bank, we know that food insecurity doesn’t happen by chance. It’s the result of deeper issues like poverty, housing insecurity, and systemic inequality. That’s why we’re proud to partner with Mary Elizabeth Inn, an organization that knows it takes more than meals to create lasting change.

Founded in 1914 by Lizzie Glide, a trailblazing philanthropist and advocate for women, Mary Elizabeth Inn has long provided housing and supportive services to women who have experienced homelessness and domestic violence.

Before COVID-19, Mary Elizabeth Inn partnered with the Food Bank to operate an on-site pantry for women living in the building. Closed during the pandemic, the pantry is now back with renewed support from the Food Bank — serving not only women living at Mary Elizabeth Inn, but also neighbors in the Tenderloin and Nob Hill.

Ebony Green, Mary Elizabeth Inn’s property manager and pantry coordinator, says the return of the pantry has brought much-needed support and stability. While many residents receive CalFresh benefits, it rarely stretches far enough for those living on fixed incomes. “A lot of the tenants here don’t have much money,” she said. “Sometimes they’ll go a day or two without eating because they live solely off Social Security or food stamps, and it’s not always enough.”

Having a pantry in the building has also made a meaningful difference for those with mobility challenges. “Some tenants can’t get on the bus because they’re bedridden or use a walker,” said Ebony. “Now they can just take the elevator down and get food. It’s a huge thing.”

What sets the pantry apart from other food services at Mary Elizabeth Inn is an abundance of fresh options. Nearly 70 percent of what the Food Bank provides is fruits and vegetables, offering participants nutritious and high-quality food. “The best part about the pantry is that we can tell them where the food is coming from,” said Ebony. “It’s farm fresh, and it’s not going to expire tomorrow. Tables and tables full of vegetables, protein, milk, and more. Way better.”

For neighbors as well, the reopened pantry is a critical resource. With the Food Bank’s Pop-Up Pantries (PUPs) set to close in June 2025 due to the end of government funding for pandemic food programs, Mary Elizabeth Inn is now serving neighbors from nearby PUPs to ensure they don’t lose access to food.

“Historically, it’s been difficult for the Food Bank to find open-to-the-public partners in the Tenderloin,” said Lucia Ruiz, Senior Program Manager. “With one closing in 2023 and the end of PUPs coming, this location is essential to keeping services going in a high-need area.”

Tina Gonzales, the Food Bank’s Director of Community Partnerships, shared how this pantry fits into a larger plan to maintain access for neighbors as PUPs wind down. “Since PUP pantries are closing this June, we’re working with new partners to make sure many participants can keep getting food,” she said. “Most of them live within a half-mile of the pantry, so it’s easy to reach by foot or public transit.”

The reopening of the Mary Elizabeth Inn food pantry marks a major step forward for the Tenderloin. In a neighborhood where food access remains a challenge, this partnership expands a vital lifeline. Thanks to the commitment of the Mary Elizabeth Inn and the Food Bank, residents and many PUP participants will continue to have reliable access to food when and where they need it most.

From Pumpkin Pie to Regional Impact: Our Partnership with Brisa Ranch

March 12, 2025

The Food Bank knows food is more than fuel — it’s how we connect with our families, our histories, and each other. That’s why we’re committed to providing food that’s both nutritious and thoughtfully sourced. Thanks to the USDA’s Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) program, which provides funding to source from local and BIPOC producers, we’ve partnered with 10 small and mid-sized farms in Pescadero and the Central Coast. 

These partnerships allow pantries in our network to share fresh, culturally meaningful food. One valued partner is Brisa Ranch, whose story of regional transformation began with something as simple (and special) as pumpkin pie. 

Brisa Ranch’s founders, Cristóbal, Veronica, and Cole, met in 2018 while working at Pie Ranch, an educational nonprofit in Pescadero. Their shared passion for farming and sustainable agriculture led them to team up on a side project: growing winter squash for pumpkin pies. In a full-circle moment, those pies were then sold at the Pie Ranch, marking the beginnings of Brisa Ranch.  

For Cristóbal, Veronica, and Cole, farming is rooted in a deep reverence for the land. As a certified organic farm, Brisa Ranch avoids harmful pesticides, protecting the environment and the people who enjoy their produce. They save seeds adapted to local conditions and grow crops with distinct cultural appeal, helping the Food Bank meet the diverse needs of our communities. They’re also planning upcoming plantings to include culturally significant crops for our participants. 

“[We want] to make organic food from small and medium farms not a luxury, but something widely accessible,” says Veronica. “Our model is designed to take that step back from the final consumer, connecting small farms to institutions like the Food Bank to broaden access to fresh, local food.” 

Since its early days, Brisa Ranch has been committed to connecting produce from underrepresented farms to as many people in need as possible. They joined forces with other organizations to explore ways for farms to collaborate more effectively. They formed a regional working group to pilot the Farms Together program, a federally funded initiative creating regional food hubs to connect producers with institutions and food banks. 

Cole believes food hubs are a key to opening doors for new farmers. “Having that network of a food hub for our region means more farmers can enter the space,” he says. “There aren’t a lot of pathways for people to get involved. Having [that] outlet makes it more viable, especially for folks immigrating here.” 

At the Food Bank, we couldn’t agree more. “The LFPA provides access for smaller, diverse, and underrepresented organic farms like Brisa Ranch to bring their produce to market collectively and at a volume we can source and rely on for excellent quality,” said Barbara Abbott, Chief Supply Chain Officer for the Food Bank. “And we focus on fresh produce because that’s what our participants truly appreciate, including culturally appropriate items like cilantro, kale, collard greens, and parsley.” 

Veronica hopes Brisa Ranch will continue helping others build successful farms. 

“Access to land and resources is a major barrier for farmers of color,” she says, “and we’re working to break those barriers while paving the way for others. Farmers of color face unique challenges, but we’re here to create opportunities not just for ourselves, but for those coming after us.” 

Cristóbal agrees. He grew up in a family of farmers, first in Mexico and later in the U.S., and saw firsthand how farming brought stability and purpose to his family in a new country. Now, he’s passionate about inspiring the next generation farmers. But he knows overcoming systemic issues — like accessing land and competing with more stable career paths — is key to ensuring farming’s future is open to everyone. 

He recalls meeting with a group of high schoolers. “I remember [them saying], ‘I don’t want to be a farmer. I am living with my parents in my house with no money,’” he says. “The challenge for me is, who will follow me as a farmer? In the future, we need to create different approaches.”  

For Veronica, Brisa Ranch is that possible new pathway. “As farmers, we’re not just growing food; we’re feeding communities, creating opportunities, and building a future we all can share.” 

Standing in a field on the verge of a new bounty, we are inspired by the trio’s commitment to the land, their fellow farmers, and the future of their community. It’s a powerful reminder of what’s possible when shared dreams bring people together — and it can start over a little bit of pie. 

Saving le Roi: Todd’s Story

January 8, 2025

“The quality of the food that you guys offer is amazing… It’s been a godsend,” Todd Dickinson told us one Monday after selecting groceries at the Tenderloin Pop-up Pantry, a collaboration between the Food Bank and St. Anthony’s in San Francisco. A sweet-natured pit bull named le Roi sat beside him, accepting pets from friends and passersby.

Looking through his grocery bag, Todd rattled off dinner ideas: “We’ve got cauliflower.… I’m going to drop that in a pot and make a bisque — a nice creamy, cauliflower soup. The radishes I slice really thin and put into posole.”

A longtime chef, Todd helped open five restaurants over the course of his career. But like thousands of workers in the food service industry, Todd lost his job at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several years of housing instability followed. As Todd struggled to secure a permanent dwelling, groceries from the Tenderloin Pop-up Pantry helped take one stressor off his plate.

During this period, he rescued le Roi — emaciated and severely abused — from the streets. Nursing le Roi back to health became his mission. “I put him on a high protein, high caloric, high fat diet,” Todd said. With the money the pantry saved him on groceries, he was able to buy quality dog food. Fully recovered, le Roi now “picks up his own leash and walks himself. He plays basketball and body surfs,” Todd beamed.

Although Todd has retired from his work as a chef, he still shares his talents for caring and nourishing others by volunteering at City Hope. This community center and Food Bank partner offers Tenderloin neighbors a community center and restaurant-style meals as well as transitional housing for people in recovery.

Earlier this year, Todd achieved a major accomplishment: with help from St. Anthony’s, he secured an apartment for him and le Roi, with a kitchen all his own. “I’m so blessed,” he said, smiling ear to ear.

Nourishing Immigrant Families in San Rafael

November 7, 2024

Shortly after daybreak every Tuesday, Aurelia Vargas and a team of volunteers set up boxes of groceries on tables outside the Canal Alliance offices in San Rafael. The boxes are always full of fresh produce and other healthy foods supplied by the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank. On a recent morning, Aurelia, Coordinator of the Canal Alliance Food Pantry, pointed out in Spanish, “It’s a combination of vegetables, fruits, grains, proteins. Today we have eggs… We have mangoes. My favorite fruit is mangoes.”

By 8:00 a.m., neighbors begin lining up to select groceries for their families. About 400 families depend on provisions from the pantry each week. “This is a great help for them.” Aurelia said. “The groceries in markets are too expensive.”

The pantry is a vital resource for Aurelia, too. “What I take from here helps me, for example, with my apartment bills, which are too high,” she explained. “For me, food means peace of mind, because I know that every day, I’m going to have something to give to my family.”

Every week, participants at Canal Alliance’s food pantry choose from a variety of produce, proteins like eggs, and pantry staples.

Breaking the Cycle of Poverty

Laura Jiménez-Diecks, Supervisor of Community Programs at Canal Alliance, smiles as she talks about the services her organization offers

The pantry’s neighborhood, the Canal area, is one of the most segregated in the Bay Area. More than 90 percent of residents are Latinx, and nearly half live below the federal poverty level—despite the neighborhood’s location in the largely white and affluent Marin County.

Laura Jiménez-Diecks, Supervisor of Community Programs at Canal Alliance, told us: “One of the main things we try to do is to help immigrants break the generational cycle of poverty. Everyone in this county deserves to achieve their dreams, regardless of immigration status, regardless of where you’re coming from.” Besides putting food on tables, the Canal Alliance helps its neighbors learn English, gain job skills, prepare for and complete college, access health resources and MediCal, and navigate immigration law.

It All Starts with Food

“The food pantry is the entry point for all services at Canal Alliance,” Laura said. People in line for the pantry, she explained, “come up to us and say, ‘There’s this paper that I received in the mail. I don’t understand it. Can you help me see what it says?’ Or ‘I just got a job offer, but I need to fill out this application.’ They know we’re here, and they know we’re accessible to them. And it all starts with food and the connection to it.”

The Canal Alliance Food Pantry is one of 250 neighborhood pantries in the Food Bank network, but the partnership between the two organizations goes beyond sharing food. For example, Canal Alliance coordinates with the Food Bank to help its neighbors apply for CalFresh benefits (food stamps) and to advocate for state and local policy changes that can help end poverty and hunger.

 

Creating a New Home

“Canal Alliance’s goal is to help everyone create a new home. And what better way to start building that than by having the sustainability of food at your table,” Laura said. “That’s where the partnership between the Food Bank and Canal Alliance is so important.”

She added: “People sometimes just think of food as this one thing they just pick up, wash and consume. But it’s much more than that. So much more than that…. Food is so central to connection and dialogue and offering love. Latinos do offer love through food.”

As the morning goes on, Canal Alliance’s food pantry bustles with activity.

Food Bank Hosts SF Mayoral Candidate Watch Party

October 10, 2024

Ending hunger starts with policy change, and policy change starts at the ballot box. To encourage civic engagement around the issue of hunger in the City and County of San Francisco, the Food Bank partnered with the League of Women Voters and UCSF in co-sponsoring a San Francisco Mayor Candidate Forum on Sept. 30, 2024, at 6 p.m. at UCSF’s Robertson Auditorium. That same evening, 20 community members came together for a live stream of the event at a Mayoral Forum Watch Party in the Food Bank’s Welcome Center.   

In alignment with the Food Bank’s co-sponsorship of the forum, mayoral candidates were asked how they would address food insecurity. Watch party attendee Troy Burnette, a member of the Food Bank’s new grassroots advocacy program, the Food Policy Advocacy Coalition (Food PAC) appreciated the opportunity to gather with others to discuss the candidates’ positions.  “We all need to be coming together to get a better understanding of what we need to work on, to hopefully make things better for everybody,” said Troy. “To hear the candidates speak from their own voices makes a difference on who you may lean toward to move forward and hopefully help the Food Bank.” 

Andre Aikens, Director of Programs for the Rafiki Coalition (a Food Bank partner), also noted that the location of the watch party helped underscore the reality of hunger with the policy positions on food insecurity shared by the candidates. “It connects the dots,” Andre said. “Listening to the candidates and sitting in this place kind of brings it all together so that you feel whether or not an individual actually has a plan, and this issue [hunger] is a priority as well.”  

The candidate forum and watch party are part of ongoing strategic efforts to increase awareness of the Food Bank’s public policy concerns and foster civic engagement activities around ending hunger, according to Noriko Lim-Tepper, Chief Officer for the Food Bank’s Strategic Partnerships, Advocacy and Voice (SPAV) Department. “The Food Bank values the strength and wisdom in our community. As an organization, we center our efforts on lifting the voices of people who have lived experiences with food insecurity to lead meaningful policy change,” said Noriko.   

In addition to viewing the live stream, attendees posed questions to members of the SPAV team. Discussion topics included how ranked choice voting works, aspects of the mayoral race and updates on the Food Bank’s latest policy and advocacy efforts including helping to drive statewide efforts to pass AB518, a new law that could lead to greater access to CalFresh for many eligible but unenrolled Californians. 

Over the next several months SPAV plans additional events demonstrating the Food Bank as a civic engagement gathering place. The department includes the Community Building team of Associate Director Irene Garcia, and Community Builder Jesus Benitez Gomez, and Policy & Advocacy’s Associate Director Marchon Tatmon, and Community Organizer Alex Raffanti. Learn more about Food Bank advocacy efforts at sfmfoodbank.org/advocacy. 

 

The San Francisco-Marin Food Bank is a nonprofit, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization and is prohibited from participating or intervening in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office. Our goal is to elevate the issue of hunger with candidates and the public during the election cycle.

“Kindness is Strength”: Sam’s Story

September 24, 2024

Coming from an Italian family where a full belly was the highest compliment, Food Bank volunteer Sam grew up knowing that food was “a big deal.” 

 “Without food, I feel like life would be boring,” he shared. “Food is a way for people to show how much they care about people, without knowing how to say it or show it otherwise. I feel like you can solve a lot of problems with food.” 

 In July of 2021, food helped Sam solve a problem of his own: how to occupy his time as a newly sober person. Meditating on the value of food in his own life, and as a safety net and springboard for others, he decided to volunteer with the Food Bank.

 “Trying to Make a Life” 

 After a short stint packing grocery bags at the San Francisco warehouse, Sam began delivering fresh food to the doorsteps of homebound neighbors. But soon, he was wondering how he could make an even greater impact. Eager to build a consistent routine and establish a connection with folks on his route, Sam “adopted a building” to deliver food to the same families in the Tenderloin each week.  

 Reflecting on his experiences over the past three years, Sam was quick to counter common misperceptions about food insecurity in the Tenderloin: “I deliver food to not just folks who are in from the cold, but a lot of people who are trying to make a life and get back on their feet,” he shared. “There are families in these neighborhoods that need this service. They’ve got children they have to feed.” 

 Underscoring Sam’s point, only 3% of Food Bank participants are unhoused and 60% have at least one member of the family working. It’s clear that homelessness and unemployment are not the drivers of food insecurity in our community. That’s why we’re working with partners, advocates and volunteers like Sam to address hunger at its root: income inequality, the sky-high cost of living, systemic inequities and an insufficient social safety net. 

Haircuts and Healthy Groceries  

Born and raised in Potrero Hill, Sam is determined to keep making a difference in the city that he loves. “I believe that whatever small thing I can do is still a note better than nothing,” he told us.  

 But Sam’s dedication is no “small thing” by any measure. To date, he’s shared more than 130,000 pounds of food with neighbors and volunteered more than 700 hours of his time. He delivers to 75 households weekly. And he’s even picked up some unlikely tools – scissors and a razor – to better meet the needs of his neighbors.  

“I started the barber thing in January of this year. I let everybody [on my route] know upfront: ‘I’m a student barber, but I’m totally willing to give you a free haircut.’ There was one gentleman who really sticks out to me, his name was Paul. I got him cut up looking good. His afro was looking tight, got him a good shave going. He was rocking his handlebar mustache after I was finished. He was giddy almost with excitement,” Sam laughed.

“Kindness is Strength” 

 From trims to line-ups, Sam is building his barbering repertoire while building connections with his neighbors – including a participant on his route who is a barber herself! His driving ethos is the same through it all: “What can I do to lift this person up, to empower them to take the reins and then go forward?” 

 Whether through food, friendly conversation or a solid shave, Sam’s compassion shows up in every interaction.  And when asked to make an elevator pitch for becoming a driver for Home-Delivered Groceries, his call to action is simple. 

 “In the world now, being kind to one another is the strongest thing that you can do for your fellow human being. Kindness is strength. And there are a lot of people who are stronger than they think they are.” 

Finding Joy with Ms. Chang

February 28, 2024

As rain drizzled down on an early Saturday morning at Florence Fang Community Garden (FFCF), Ms. Chang finished loading up her cart with groceries and beckoned us over to view her most recent crop: a bountiful patch of cauliflower! Each plant boasted a still-growing cauliflower head, already larger than an outstretched hand.  

Ms. Chang is an eight-year volunteer and five-year food pantry participant at FFCF, a Food Bank partner and beautiful one-acre community center located in Bayview-Hunters Point. “It’s a really diverse space, with all kinds of people,” Ms. Chang told us. “I live in Hunters Point, so I walk here. My motivation to come out was that I’m retired, and now I have free time! This is an opportunity to find some joy, and it’s just really fun to socialize.”  

Return of the Food Pantry 

It’s not only social hour at the farm: Ms. Chang, along with around 15-20% of other farm volunteers, stops by FFCF’s Saturday morning food pantry before beginning her farm workday. Though it was forced to close because of pandemic precautions, the pantry reopened with the support of the Food Bank back in February of 2023.  

Now, FFCF provides pantry essentials and fresh produce each week to mainly Chinese elders. It’s a much-needed service, especially as high prices persist and safety net programs are rolled back – because neighbors like Ms. Chang and her eldest daughter, whom she lives with, are already feeling the impacts. 

Ms. Chang shared her experience: “I have CalFresh, it helps me with getting groceries. It was definitely easier during the pandemic with their extra funding [emergency allotments]. But it barely holds me over now. I cope by just not buying as much – I have retirement (SSI) too, so I’m not completely depleted. It does feel like not enough sometimes, though.” 

Saturday (Farm)er’s Market 

Neighborhood pantries like FFCF help fill the gap with fresh, healthy food for thousands of neighbors across San Francisco and Marin who are facing similar difficulties. On the Saturday we visited, volunteers laid out items like rice, bok choy, beets, carrots and celery farmer’s market-style, so each participant could take or decline items as they wished. 

“It’s great to see all of the offerings and get to choose what I want to bring home. I tend to like everything, though,” Ms. Chang told us. “With today’s offerings, I’d throw together the carrots, celery, bok choy, throw some sort of meat in and make a lovely soup. It is great for bringing down inflammation in the body!” 

A Joyful Space 

Upon immigrating to San Francisco from Guangzhou, China in the 80s, Ms. Chang worked as a sewist in San Francisco Chinatown’s garment factories. Now retired, the farm offers a different, more enjoyable kind of work: “I get to do some work on the farm, grow green vegetables and romaine lettuce. I grow really big winter melons. It isn’t too strenuous, and we get to pick whatever jobs we want. Plus, I like the exercise!”  

As we talk, she helps another volunteer carry a basket of recent harvests up the hill, where they’ll be divided among the volunteers – “we all get to share our harvests with one another,” explained Ms. Chang. That’s not all they share, because food and fun go hand in hand at FFCF. Typically, Ms. Chang will volunteer with her two younger sisters, but her daughter and grandchildren also stop by occasionally: “There’s a lot of events and activities at the farm, and my family enjoys coming to these events. We throw parties, sing, dance, everything. You’ll have to come visit us when we put on talent shows!” 

After marveling at the beauty and vibrancy of the farm and learning what Ms. Chang is planting for spring (tong ho and yao choy!), we finally wave goodbye. The rain has stopped, the sun is beginning to peek out, and Ms. Chang heads back to her fellow volunteers. From the smile on her face, it’s safe to say that FFCF has built not only a flourishing farm or food pantry, but a true community on this plot of land.  

As Ms. Chang put it so succinctly: “I have a lot of friends here. Being here makes me happy.”