San Francisco-Marin Food Bank Employees Join OPEIU, Local 29 in a Vote

November 1, 2019

San Francisco-Marin Food Bank Employees Join OPEIU, Local 29 in a Vote

San Francisco, CA (November 1), On October 31, 2019, non-supervising, San Francisco-Marin Food Bank employees made a collective decision to join OPEIU, Local 29. The Food Bank Senior Leadership Team and Board of Directors have conveyed to all employees that they respect their decision and ongoing commitment to the Food Bank’s mission.

“Our staff has spoken, and we look forward to working with them and OPEIU to further our mission of ending hunger in San Francisco and Marin” stated Paul Ash, Executive Director of the San Francisco Marin Food Bank.

In the last two years, the Food Bank leadership has been modernizing its infrastructure and preparing to scale up the organization to better meet the growing demand for its programs and services. According to the recent Missing Meals study, 21% of the population is at risk of food insecurity in San Francisco and Marin, after counting services from government and other nonprofit feeding programs.

As the Food Bank moves forward and provides for the hungry today and tomorrow, the Board of Directors and the Senior Leadership Team are committed to continuing to fulfill our promises to the community and support our employees in all Food Bank related matters.

For more information please contact, Kath Delaney at kdelaney@sfmfoodbank.org
or 415-531-1642.

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About the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank
The San Francisco-Marin Food Bank’s mission is to end hunger in San Francisco and Marin, where one in five
neighbors is at risk of hunger. We envision a community where everyone can obtain enough nutritious
food in a dignified manner to support the health and well-being of themselves and their families. We
address hunger head-on from our pantry network and home-delivered groceries to our nutrition-education
classes and food-stamp (CalFresh) enrollment, we work in many ways to nourish and empower neighbors in
need. Every week, 30,000 households count on us for food assistance. Nearly 60 percent of what we
distribute is fresh fruits and vegetables. To learn more about our history and our programs, please go to
www.sfmfoodbank.org/about.

Fleet Week at the Warehouse

October 11, 2019

Fleet Week U.S. Military Personnel Lend a Helping Hand in the Battle to End Hunger in San Francisco and Marin

SAN FRANCISCO (October 10, 2019) – During Fleet Week on Thursday, October 10 — at 9:00 a.m. – over 25 U.S. Marine Corps and Navy personnel will volunteer for a two-hour shift to pack up fresh produce and other healthy food at the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank. The Marines and Sailors, working alongside civilian volunteers, will box thousands of pounds of fresh produce that’s distributed to 32,000 households each week.
With one in five people in San Francisco and Marin in need of food, the fight to end hunger is intense here. Throughout the U.S. recent studies show one in four military households in the U.S. receive assistance from a food bank.

“This is the third year that the Marines and other military members have helped us out during Fleet Week. We look forward to welcoming back the men and women who fight for our freedom and thank them for their service to our country and for helping us provide for those in need,” said Paul Ash, Executive Director of the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank.

WHO: Fleet Week Marines and Sailors
WHAT: A two-hour volunteer shift inside our warehouse
WHERE: Food Bank’s San Francisco warehouse, 900 Pennsylvania Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94107
WHEN: Thursday, October 10, 2019, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Pamela Wellner
Interim Manager, Media & Public Relations
San Francisco-Marin Food Bank
(cell) 415-730-0105
pwellner@sfmfoodbank.org

Jamie Lopez: media@fleetweeksf.org
Onsite at warehouse: (cell): 281-216-6588
LT Aaron Walling
aaron.walling@lpd25.navy.mil

5th Annual Food Bank Finals Challenge

May 30, 2019

Warriors vs. Raptors Match-Up Inspires International “Food Bank Finals Challenge”

Fundraising competition asks Golden State/Toronto fans to show their generosity

OAKLAND and SAN FRANCISCO, CA, (May 30th, 2019) – The NBA Finals between the Warriors and the Raptors isn’t just a battle happening on the hardwood:  Starting on May 30th, fans of both teams are also competing in the Food Bank Finals Challenge – a friendly contest to see which team’s fans are the most generous when it comes to supporting local nonprofits.

Warriors fans are being asked to make financial donations to Alameda County Community Food Bank or the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank. In Toronto, Raptor fans are encouraged to donate to Sick Kids.

“Over the last four years, we’ve learned that Warriors fans are as passionate about ending hunger as they are for championships,” said Suzan Bateson, Executive Director of Alameda County Community Food Bank. “This year, we’re sincerely grateful to Bay Area and Toronto fans for helping causes that are critically important in their home communities as they cheer their teams on.”

Added Paul Ash, Executive Director of the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, “It’s been an exciting 5-year run with the Warriors in the NBA Finals – made more enjoyable by the Dubs fans who celebrate this greatness with donations that continue to lift-up thousands of Bay Area neighbors in need.

As she’s done since the 2015 NBA Finals, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf is also supporting local food bank fundraising efforts as part of her friendly wagers with mayors of competing cities. “As the defending champion Warriors have shown, there is Strength in Numbers,” says Schaaf.  “I’m urging all Warrior fans to rise to the challenge to show our compassion for our most vulnerable residents and commit to raising critical funds for families struggling with hunger in the Bay Area.”

Donations for the Food Bank Finals Challenge can be made online (see web links below) and totals donated by Warriors Fans will be reported daily during the duration of the NBA Finals.

Mark Seelig
Public Relations Manager – San Francisco-Marin Food Bank
(office) 415-282-1907 ext. 270; (cell) 415-246-9146
mseelig@sfmfoodbank.org

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About Alameda County Community Food Bank
Alameda County Community Food Bank—Feeding America’s 2016-2017 Food Bank of the Year–has been at the forefront of hunger relief efforts in the Bay Area since 1985. This year, the Food Bank will distribute the equivalent of 28 million meals. More than half of the food distributed is farm-fresh produce. The Food Bank serves 1 in 5 Alameda County residents by distributing food through a network of 267 food pantries, soup kitchens, and other community organizations, as well as direct-distribution programs including Children’s Backpack and Mobile Pantry. For 12 consecutive years, Alameda County Community Food Bank has received Charity Navigator’s top rating — Four Stars — ranking the organization among the top 1 percent of charities nationwide. Learn more at www.accfb.org.

About the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank
The San Francisco-Marin Food Bank’s mission is to end hunger in San Francisco and Marin, where one in four neighbors is at risk of hunger. We envision a community where everyone is able to obtain enough nutritious food in a dignified manner to support the health and well-being of themselves and their families. We address hunger head on: from our pantry network and home-delivered groceries, to our nutrition-education classes and food-stamp (CalFresh) enrollment, we work in many ways to nourish and empower neighbors in need. Every week, 30,000 households count on us for food assistance. Nearly 60 percent of what we distribute is fresh fruits and vegetables. Learn more at www.sfmfoodbank.org.

Metallica 2nd Annual Day of Service

May 22, 2019

May 22nd: Food Bank & Metallica Fans Rock Out in the SF Warehouse

Rock band’s nonprofit “All Within My Hands Foundation” 2nd annual Day of Service event

 SAN FRANCISCO (May 22, 2019) – For the second year in a row members of the legendary Bay Area rock group Metallica are going the extra mile to help alleviate hunger in communities all over the country. They have encouraged their fans to sign up for volunteer shifts at 50 food banks around the country, including ours, as part of the band’s nonprofit All Within My Hands Foundation’s call for a national Day of Service.

Last year we welcomed in 80 hardcore fans as they helped us glean and box up fresh food for our neighbors in need. This year we’re expecting nearly double that amount – 150 fans to participate.

The band’s iconic drummer, Lars Ulrich, was on hand last year – making a generous 5-thousand-dollar donation to the Food Bank before volunteering some of his time to the cause. “This is a chance to get the word out there that music fans can make a difference; hard rock fans can make a difference.”

“With one in four people living in San Francisco and Marin in need of food assistance of some kind, we could use all the help we can get,” says Paul Ash, Food Bank Executive Director.  “But it’s Metallica’s star power and their ability to shine a brighter light on hunger that might even be more far-reaching.”

Each registered volunteer will receive a special “All Within My Hands” t-shirt commemorating Metallica’s 2nd annual Day of Service as well as a healthy dose of Metallica songs on the boombox.

WHAT: 150 Metallica fans volunteering inside the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank’s SF warehouse, gleaning and boxing fresh food for our neighbors in need.

WHEN: Wednesday, May 22nd, 1:00pm – 3:00pm

WHO: Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich, fans of the band and Food Bank Executive Director Paul Ash

WHERE: San Francisco-Marin Food Bank Warehouse, 900 Pennsylvania Ave. San Francisco 94107

MEDIA CONTACT:
Mark Seelig
Public Relations Manager – San Francisco-Marin Food Bank
(office) 415-282-1907 ext. 270; (cell) 415-246-9146
mseelig@sfmfoodbank.org

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About the SF-Marin Food Bank

The SF-Marin Food Bank’s mission is to end hunger in San Francisco and Marin, where one in four neighbors is at risk of hunger. We envision a community where everyone is able to obtain enough nutritious food in a dignified manner to support the health and well-being of themselves and their families. We address hunger head on: from our pantry network and home-delivered groceries, to our nutrition-education classes and CalFresh food-stamp enrollment, we work in many ways to nourish and empower neighbors in need. Every week, 30,000 households count on us for food assistance. Nearly 60 percent of what we distribute is fresh fruits and vegetables. Learn more at www.sfmfoodbank.org.

Missing Meals & Food Bank Expansion | Digital Media Kit

April 25, 2019

The San Francisco-Marin Food Bank has released our Missing Meals report, which shows the number of meals missed by low-income residents in San Francisco and Marin stood at just over 35 million in 2017 (the latest year of available data).

In order to close the hunger gap, the Food Bank is starting a major expansion at our San Francisco warehouse and upgrading our recently purchased facility in San Rafael.

Read the press release.

More information about our Missing Meals Report and warehouse expansion:

Missing Meals Fact Sheet – San Francisco and Marin

Missing Meals Fact Sheet – San Francisco only

Missing Meals Fact Sheet – Marin only

Missing Meals full report

San Francisco warehouse expansion webpage

Marin warehouse expansion webpage

Missing Meals Report – Food Bank Expansion To Meet The Need

April 17, 2019

SAN FRANCISCO/MARIN (April 29, 2019) – The San Francisco-Marin Food Bank is a vital lifeline for over 140,000 people every week – – but new data finds hunger is still a significant problem in our community. To close the hunger gap, the Food Bank is planning to expand our warehouses and services.

The need:  The newly released “Missing Meals” report shows the number of meals missed by low-income residents in San Francisco and Marin – those living at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL) – stood at just over 35 million in 2017 (the latest year of available data).  That is down from a high of 62 million missing meals in 2013, and down from 43 million missing meals in 2016.

The drop is attributed to two main factors:  A slow but steady increase in the amount of food being provided by the Food Bank, and our nonprofit partners, to people living at or below 200% FPL:  48 million meals in 2015 compared to 49 million meals provided in 2017.  During the same period, census data shows the number of low-income people in San Francisco and Marin declined by about 26,000:  266,000 low-income individuals living in SF and Marin in 2015, compared to 240,000 in 2017.

“We’re encouraged by the growth in nonprofit meals provided, meaning the Food Bank and our network of partners are making a difference in the community,” says Food Bank Executive Director Paul Ash.  “But the fact of the matter is that 35 million missing meals is 35 million too many.”

The solution:  In our current facilities, the Food Bank has reached capacity.  To close the hunger gap, we are about to begin major expansion projects at both our San Francisco warehouse, and our recently purchased facility in San Rafael.  Expanding our facilities will enable the Food Bank to sustain and increase the amount of food we supply to 400+ partner organizations including GLIDE, Meals on Wheels, St. Anthony’s Foundation and San Rafael’s Ritter Center.

“Our total food distribution has plateaued at 48 million pounds annually, and even this level of output is a real struggle given our space constraints,” says Ash.  “In order to reduce the number of missing meals, we need to expand our infrastructure, which will directly impact our ability to expand our services throughout San Francisco and Marin. This will allow us to reach more neighbors who are struggling to put food on the table every day. We’ll also continue to advocate for improving government food-assistance programs – especially CalFresh – which are essential to closing the gap.”

The project in San Francisco will add an additional 28,000 square feet of warehouse space to the Food Bank’s building at 900 Pennsylvania Avenue, including two new loading docks.  Work is set to begin in 2020 and should wrap up in the summer of 2021.  Construction on the Marin facility at 2250 Kerner Boulevard in San Rafael will begin later this month and will renovate existing space to better host volunteers and create a more efficient work flow.  That project should be completed by September of 2019.

The overall goal is to be able to distribute 50% more food to our neighbors in need in San Francisco and Marin by the year 2040.

Food Bank Expansion – by the Numbers 

  1997 2018 2040 (projected growth)
Food Distributed Annually (Lbs.) 8.4M 48M 75 Million
People Served Weekly 34,000 140,000 200,000
Number of Volunteers Annually 3,000 40,000 50,000

View Our Digital Media Kit

MEDIA CONTACT:
Mark Seelig
Public Relations Manager – San Francisco-Marin Food Bank
(office) 415-282-1907 ext. 270; (cell) 415-246-9146
mseelig@sfmfoodbank.org

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About the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank

The San Francisco-Marin Food Bank’s mission is to end hunger in San Francisco and Marin, where one in four neighbors is at risk of hunger. We envision a community where everyone is able to obtain enough nutritious food in a dignified manner to support the health and well-being of themselves and their families. We address hunger head on: from our pantry network and home-delivered groceries, to our nutrition-education classes and food-stamp enrollment, we work in many ways to nourish and empower neighbors in need. Every week, 30,000 households count on us for food assistance. Nearly 60 percent of what we distribute is fresh fruits and vegetables. Learn more at www.sfmfoodbank.org.

U.S. Coast Guard Families to Volunteer in our Marin Warehouse

March 13, 2019

SAN RAFAEL, CA (March 16, 2019) – The Food Bank is excited to welcome dozens of U.S. Coast Guard families to our Marin warehouse on March 16th for a special volunteer shift. Just a few weeks ago, these same families received help at the Food Bank’s January 19 pop-up food pantry after going weeks without a paycheck because of the federal government shutdown.

“We’re the ones who usually respond to those in need, so the kindness and generosity shown by the Food Bank was really touching,” said Kristy Martin, president of the North Bay Coast Guard Spouses Club, who is organizing Coast Guard families for this weekend’s volunteer shift. “The food really helped sustain our Coast Guard community during a time of great need. Now it’s our turn to give back by volunteering.”

 WHAT:   Coast Guard families will sort food that will be distributed to neighbors in need over the next several weeks.
WHO:  Members of the North Bay Coast Guard Spouses Club and Food Bank staff will be on hand for interviews.
WHERE:  The Food Bank’s Marin Warehouse – 2550 Kerner Blvd., San Rafael CA 94901
WHEN: Saturday, March 16, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
WHY:  Nearly 40,000 people volunteered at the Food Bank last year. Volunteers, like these Coast Guard family members, are essential to help us continue to meet the need in our community.

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MEDIA CONTACT:                                                                                     
Maria Stokes
Director of Marketing and Communications
(cell) 415-312-8750; (office) 415-282-1907 x264

About the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank
Our mission is to end hunger in San Francisco and Marin, where one in four neighbors is at risk of hunger. We envision a community where everyone can obtain enough nutritious food in a dignified manner to support the health and well-being of themselves and their families. We address hunger head on: from our pantry network and home-delivered groceries, to our nutrition-education classes and food-stamp enrollment, we work in many ways to nourish and empower neighbors in need. Every week, 30,000 households count on us for food assistance. Nearly 60 percent of what we distribute is fresh fruits and vegetables. Learn more at www.sfmfoodbank.org.

Bay Area Food Banks Continue Food Deliveries to Aid Survivors of the Camp Fire

December 15, 2018

SAN FRANCISCO (December 15, 2018) –  One of our 18-wheel delivery trucks, filled with emergency food, departed the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank’s headquarters early this morning, on its way to Chico to assist survivors of the Camp Fire.

“The truck was loaded with nonperishable ready-to-eat food, pallets of bottled water, snacks, and even fresh produce like apples and pears,” said Mark Seelig, spokesman for the Food Bank.

This is part of a series of food deliveries being made by Bay Area Food Banks to hundreds of people impacted by last month’s devastating Camp Fire. “The last thing we want is for people in Butte County to be worrying about where their next meal is coming from, especially during this holiday season” said Seelig.

The effort is being spearheaded by the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, whose employees took the first truckload of food from the Bay Area to Butte County on December 1.  Last week, employees of the Alameda County Community Food Bank delivered a truckload of food.  This week it was San Francisco-Marin’s turn.  The plan is to keep sending trucks filled with thousands of pounds of food every week for the foreseeable future.

The Bay Area Food Bank (BAFB) network often responds to major disasters Last year, BAFB assisted the Redwood Empire Food Bank in Santa Rosa when the region was hit by the North Bay Wildfires.  Fellow Food Banks provided food, resources, and employees to help keep the food flowing to survivors

The San Francisco-Marin Food Bank also sent food and employees to the Houston Food Bank last year in the days and weeks after Hurricane Harvey swept through the region.

“We know that the Bay Area is going to be in a time of need some day … perhaps when the much-talked-about big earthquake strikes the area,” says Seelig.  “And we know we’re going to need to rely on others to help feed residents right here, so it behooves us to assist other regions when the need arises, and when the call is made.”

If you would like to help in this latest effort, then support your local food bank with a donation, a volunteer shift, or advocate for them.  Go to www.bayareahunger.org for more details.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Mark Seelig
Public Relations Manager – San Francisco-Marin Food Bank
(office) 415-282-1907 ext. 270; (cell) 415-246-9146
mseelig@sfmfoodbank.org

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About the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank

The San Francisco-Marin Food Bank’s mission is to end hunger in San Francisco and Marin, where one in four neighbors is at risk of hunger. We envision a community where everyone can obtain enough nutritious food in a dignified manner to support the health and well-being of themselves and their families. We address hunger head on: from our pantry network and home-delivered groceries, to our nutrition-education classes and CalFresh food-stamp enrollment, we work in many ways to nourish and empower neighbors in need. Every week, 30,000 households count on us for food assistance. Nearly 60 percent of what we distribute is fresh fruits and vegetables. Learn more at www.sfmfoodbank.org.

Food Bank’s Home-Delivered Groceries Program Reaches Major Milestone

December 13, 2018

Supervisor Fewer helps deliver the 250,000th bag of groceries

SAN FRANCISCO (December 13, 2018) – The San Francisco-Marin Food Bank’s Home-Delivered Groceries (HDG) program made its 250,000 delivery this December.  San Francisco Supervisor Sandra Fewer was on hand, joining the Richmond Neighborhood Center (RNC) and Richmond Senior Center (on December 13) to deliver groceries to the Pham family in San Francisco’s Richmond District.  Supervisor Fewer will also present a special certificate to mark the 250,000th bag milestone.

“Food security is a critical part of what makes and sustains a healthy neighborhood.  In the Richmond District, we take care of each other, and we take care of our neighbors,” says Supervisor Fewer.  “This dynamic Home Delivered Groceries program allows seniors, the fastest growing population in the Richmond District, to age-in-place with community support. I am so appreciative of the collaborative partnership and the volunteer-powered effort that make this 250,000th grocery delivery milestone, and many more future ones, possible.”

Founded in 2011, the Home-Delivered Groceries Program serves 1,998 homebound seniors and 467 adults with disabilities in San Francisco every week. The program aims to provide nutritious food to vulnerable neighbors, as well as reduce loneliness and foster connections among community members.

“For thousands of homebound residents in San Francisco, a weekly knock on the door brings not only a delivery of fresh groceries but a friendly visit and some human contact with people who don’t get outdoors very much,” says Jillian Tse, Program Coordinator for the Food Bank’s Home-Delivered Groceries program.

One of the Food Bank’s most successful collaborations is with the Richmond Senior Center and the Richmond Neighborhood Center (RNC), dating back to 2015. Every week, this partnership delivers groceries to 116 seniors and 7 adults with disabilities. Since 2015, the partnership has carried and delivered over 385,000 lbs of groceries to neighbors in need.

“The Richmond Neighborhood Center and our partners at the Richmond Senior Center have been so pleased to see the positive impact the home-delivered groceries program has on our clients.” says Yves Xavier, Neighborhood Services Program Manager for The Richmond Neighborhood Center. “Our unique model capitalizes on the deep community roots of two neighborhood-based organizations to effectively match local volunteers one-to-one with a home-bound resident in the area. Because a volunteer delivers to the same person every week, they really form a bond. We’ve seen this enrich both our volunteers’ and clients’ lives and ultimately help fight the negative effects of social isolation so many of our home-bound residents deal with.”

The HDG program is funded by San Francisco’s Department of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS). Fourteen faith-based and community-based organizations coordinate volunteers and staff to make weekly deliveries. The Food Bank provides 25 pounds (on average) of food weekly –chicken, pasta or rice, and lots of fresh, seasonal produce. This food is tailored to the nutritional needs of seniors and people who are less active because of mobility challenges.

This program is needed now, more than ever as an estimated 16.3% of seniors face the threat of hunger in California. In San Francisco, the need is even more acute, since food costs are estimated to be 23% higher here than nationally.  In addition, the population of seniors in San Francisco continues to grow. In 2016, older adults comprised 20% of that population but are projected to rise to 26% by 2030.

WHAT:

  • The delivery of the 250,000th Home Delivered Grocery Bay to a Food Bank participant.

WHEN:

  • December 13, 2018 2:00pm (bag assembly) 4:30pm (bag delivery – location tbd)

WHERE:

  • Richmond Neighborhood Center 741 30th Ave. San Francisco

WHO:

  • Volunteers with Richmond Neighborhood Center and Richmond Senior Center.
  • The Pham family will receive the 250,000th bag
  • San Francisco Supervisor Sandy Fewer (represents the Richmond District)
  • Jillian Tse, Food Bank HDG lead.

**All will be available for interviews on site**

MEDIA CONTACT:
Maria Stokes
Director of Marketing and Communications – San Francisco-Marin Food Bank
(office) 415-282-1907 ext. 270; (cell) 415-3128750
mstokes@sfmfoodbank.org

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About the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank

The San Francisco-Marin Food Bank’s mission is to end hunger in San Francisco and Marin, where one in four neighbors is at risk of hunger. We envision a community where everyone can obtain enough nutritious food in a dignified manner to support the health and well-being of themselves and their families. We address hunger head on: from our pantry network and home-delivered groceries, to our nutrition-education classes and CalFresh food-stamp enrollment, we work in many ways to nourish and empower neighbors in need. Every week, 30,000 households count on us for food assistance. Nearly 60 percent of what we distribute is fresh fruits and vegetables. Learn more at www.sfmfoodbank.org.

About The Richmond Neighborhood Center

The Richmond Neighborhood Center is a nonprofit public benefit organization dedicated to improving and enriching the Richmond District community by addressing critical community needs and fostering respect for all people and the environment. For over 35 years, we have worked to nurture our diverse urban community by providing youth programs at nine area schools, supplying food to over 1800 families and seniors in need each week, and a variety of wellness classes and community events.  Learn more at https://richmondsf.org/

About Richmond Senior Center

The Richmond Senior Center’s mission is to help older adults and adults with disabilities live comfortable, safe, active and happy lives. Our neighborhood-based center fosters healthy aging through activities, nutrition, education and friendship. The Center is free and welcomes people of all races and orientations, with staff and volunteers fluent in English, Russian, Cantonese and Mandarin. We embrace and celebrate older adulthood, hosting a positive, empowered community and providing a supportive home-away-from-home. Learn more at http://ggsenior.org/

 

 

Cyclists Roll to Fight Hunger – 13th annual Supermarket Street Sweep Race

December 1, 2018

Cyclists Roll to Fight Hunger

13th annual Supermarket Street Sweep race this Saturday!

SAN FRANCISCO (December 1, 2018) Hundreds of cyclists will hit the streets of San Francisco to help “pedal the Food Bank closer to our goal of ending hunger. It’s the 13th annual Super Market Street Sweep.

It’s part food drive, part bicycle race, involving people on two wheels – and even three wheels. They zip around the city with donated dollars, and purchase much-needed groceries for our neighbors in need. These dedicated cyclists pick up food and haul it all back with wagons and carriers, up and down hills, in order to cross the finish line at our warehouse.

“We set a goal of providing 10 million meals this holiday season to our community members who might otherwise go without,” said Food Bank spokeswoman Katy McKnight. “We’re making progress, but we still need the help. The Super Market Street Sweep is a great example of how ingenuity and creativity – along with a big dose of fun – can help tackle hunger.”

Last year, participants raised more than $16,000 and collected over 13,000 pounds of food. This year, racers have set a goal of raising $20,000!  Since Super Market Street Sweep began in 2006, participants have collected nearly 100,000 pounds of food, and donated over $90,000 – enough for more than a quarter million meals!

WHAT: Racers on bike arrive at the Food Bank with their hauls of donated goods, followed by a post-race party. (Plenty of Interview/Sound/Video opportunities)

WHO: Cyclists and Food Bank spokesperson Katy McKnight

WHEN: Saturday, December 1, 2018. 10:00am – 6:00pm (cyclists start arriving between 1p-4p)

WHERE: The Food Bank warehouse – 900 Pennsylvania Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94107

MEDIA CONTACT:
Mark Seelig
Public Relations Manager – San Francisco-Marin Food Bank
(office) 415-282-1907 ext. 270; (cell) 415-246-9146
mseelig@sfmfoodbank.org

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About the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank

The San Francisco-Marin Food Bank’s mission is to end hunger in San Francisco and Marin, where one in four neighbors is at risk of hunger. We envision a community where everyone is able to obtain enough nutritious food in a dignified manner to support the health and well-being of themselves and their families. We address hunger head on: from our pantry network and home-delivered groceries, to our nutrition-education classes and CalFresh food-stamp enrollment, we work in many ways to nourish and empower neighbors in need. Every week, 30,000 households count on us for food assistance. Nearly 60 percent of what we distribute is fresh fruits and vegetables. Learn more at www.sfmfoodbank.org.