Support Your Community During the Holidays

December 2, 2020

As COVID-19 continues to spread, so does the rise in food insecurityThis holiday is a holiday like no otheras families struggle to afford rent, utilities, medication, or food.

Since the start of the pandemic, many more people have stepped into our pantry lines for the first time. In October alone, almost four times as many people than before the pandemic used our Food Locator to find resources, pantries, and CalFresh (food stamps) assistance.

That’s why this holiday season, it’s important now more than ever to make a difference however you canHere are several ways you can support your local community so that no one goes hungry. 

Volunteer

While it’ll be hard to have a safe gathering during the holidays, you can still volunteer at our Pop-up food pantries and warehouses in San Francisco and Marin by packing grocery bags for participants or deliver groceries to homebound seniors and adults with disabilities. We especially need help during the weekAnd remember the need for volunteers doesn’t end in December, so please consider volunteering throughout 2021.

If you’re bilingual, your language skills are also imperative to make these distributions more inclusive and effective for all participants. Currently, Cantonese and Spanish support are our most urgent needs.

Learn more about volunteer opportunities here.

Fundraise for Us

Due to COVID-19, we are temporarily halting the delivery. Host a virtual fund drive instead, which can be done easily to raise money. Plus, participants will receive even more food. We are able to turn every dollar into two healthy meals! Learn more about food and fund drives here.

Donate 

We need sustained financial support to continue to respond to the dramatic need we are seeing in the community right now. Your donations are what keep us going, and we hope you’ll consider signing up for our Monthly Giving Circle to help support us year-round. Your gift will go a long way to feed those in need. Learn more here.

Support Our Partners

Our community partners will also need your support to fight hunger. If our volunteer shifts are filled, support our partners by volunteering with them instead.

Take Action Today

It will take systemic change to end hunger. That’s why our actions extend beyond food distribution and CalFresh assistance. You can influence change by: 

  • Calling and emailing your members of Congressto demand they pass comprehensive COVID relief to keep our communities fed.  
  • Speak up on social media and tag your members of Congress by using the hashtag #BoostSNAPNow. You can find their Twitter handles  here. 
  • Write a letter to the editor to highlight why boosting SNAP will help your community. You can submit one to the San Francisco Chronicle here.

So, whether you decide to volunteer, donate, or take action, your support will provide more food for the community during the holidays and beyond. We can’t do any of this without you. We hope you will join us to end hunger. 

What is “Food For All”?

October 26, 2017

At the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, we believe in “Food For All” – that everyone in our community is able to obtain enough nutritious food to support the health and well-being of themselves and their families.

“Food For All” means our neighbors in need can get enough food, not only so they can tackle life’s many challenges, but also the nourishment that enables them to thrive and grow.

The opportunities and success that good food makes possible are highlighted in our Food For All advertising campaign. Keep an eye out for our Food For All ads on buses, billboards, street pole banners, and transit stations across Marin and San Francisco.

The ads feature the supersize smiles Food Bank staff, volunteers, and pantry participants, coupled with words that express what’s possible when everyone in our community has enough food to eat:  Strength, Hope, Courage, Health, Love, and Community.

Thank you to our wonderful partners for their contributions to our Food For All campaign:

  • Skona Advertising for designing this beautiful campaign
  • Photographer Peter Prato for capturing the amazing smiles and strength of the staff, volunteers, and participants
  • GreatKolor for securing free media, printing and installing the ads

Feeling inspired? Make a donation now if you believe in Food For All.

We can’t do it alone. Our visionary goal to end hunger can only be achieved by mobilizing the caring, giving power of our community.