San Francisco-Marin Food Bank Announces $25,000 Volunteer Match
2,500 Volunteer Signups Unlocks a $25,000 Donation
San Francisco, CA (January 12, 2023) – The San Francisco-Marin Food Bank will receive a $25,000 donation if it receives 2,500 volunteer signups between January 12-22, thanks to the generosity of the Alice Lam Memorial Fund. Shifts do not have to be served in this period – just a sign-up will bring the Food Bank closer to the goal.
This match comes at a critical time when the Food Bank sees a significant drop in volunteers during the months following the holiday season. The Food Bank encourages Bay Area residents to make it their New Years’ resolution to give back to their community.
“We believe food is the most important thing – nothing else can come unless people are fed. It’s direct aid to the community,” said Andrew Lam, Alice Lam’s son. “My mother Alice volunteered a lot, and my father and I thought this match would honor her. Everybody has different ways to give back, and we thought we could encourage the gift of time.”
Volunteers help make it possible for the Food Bank to serve 56,000 households per week, up from 32,000 pre-pandemic. According to a recent survey of nearly 6,000 Food Bank participants, 72% have not recovered financially from COVID-19’s impact on their finances. Inflation is forcing tough choices as families struggle to balance the increasingly high cost of living, surging gas bills, and continually rising food prices. According to the most recent Consumer Price Index Report, food prices are up 10 percent compared to last year in the San Francisco metro area.
Support from the Alice Lam Memorial Fund means a donation of time can go even further to help neighbors facing food insecurity. Unlocking the $25,000 donation will provide enough food for 50,000 meals.
“The need is still there, if not growing right now, but we’re short on volunteers,” said Stephanie Chin, a regular volunteer at the Food Bank’s Lincoln High School Pop-up Pantry. “I encourage people to get out in your community. It’s also really fun – we’ve had great experiences meeting new people. We’re doing community service, but we joke that sometimes it feels like you’re in a coffee shop and at the gym at the same time.”
How to Help
There are volunteer opportunities for everyone, from corporate groups to teenagers to kids as young as eight:
- Pack grocery bags at a Food Pantry
- Home-deliver groceries to homebound neighbors
- Sort food at the San Francisco or San Rafael warehouse
- Bilingual support is especially needed
Sign up for a shift today and help provide food for all.
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ABOUT THE FOOD BANK
The San Francisco-Marin Food Bank’s mission is to end hunger in San Francisco and Marin, where even before the pandemic, one in five neighbors was at risk of hunger. We envision a community where everyone has access to nutritious food of their choosing and is uplifted by a network of support. Together with community partners, we work to address hunger head-on through neighborhood food pantries, CalFresh enrollment, home-delivered groceries, and policy and advocacy efforts. We work with our community to create lasting solutions to address both the hunger we see today and the root causes that perpetuate food insecurity in our society. Every week, 56,000 households count on us for food assistance. 60% of what we distribute is fresh fruits and vegetables. Visit sfmfoodbank.org to learn more.
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CONTACT
Keely Hopkins
Senior Communications Manager, San Francisco-Marin Food Bank
O: 415-282-1900, ext. 292
C: 415-792-8346
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