When it comes to putting enough food on the table, let alone nutritious and health-building food, the odds are stacked against many Bay Area families. It is estimated that 1 in 4 residents are living with insufficient income to cover their basic needs in our service area. Hunger is a reality for many of our neighbors.
The trend we’re seeing locally is that those in need require more food assistance than ever before. What used to be a monthly trip for emergency food when funds ran out has become weekly for many families. For those who once needed food assistance only seasonally, their reliance is now often year-round as long-term unemployment continues for many.
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) answers questions from the media about the partnership between Second Harvest and CalFresh while touring the San Jose warehouse on Jan. 31, 2011.
A key component in the solution to end hunger in our community is a strong public/private partnership that provides a solid foundation of supplemental food. As a large portion of our clients are also eligible for CalFresh, our goal is to have a 100% participation rate in this additional pipeline of much-needed food. The USDA estimates that only half of eligible Californians are currently participating, and almost $5 Billion in federal funding goes unspent in our state.
Our Mobile Food Connection RV (seen in the ABC-7 video above) is the culmination of years of partnership with county officials. It demonstrates Second Harvest’s commitment to providing access to multiple food resources.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties envisions a future in which every available option is utilized to its fullest potential. By coordinating efforts amongst all sources of food assistance, we can put healthy food on the table of all our neighbors in need.
GET INVOLVED: This year will see legislation introduced by Assembly Member Filipe Fuentes (D-Sylmar) to remove the excess paperwork and trips associated with applying for CalFresh in order to boost participation. Sign up for our email list so we can let you know when your voice is needed!
LEARN MORE:
- Need Food? Contact Food Connection
- The Hunger Index Second Harvest and Santa Clara University team up each year to measure hunger in our community.
- CalFresh: Eligibility and how to apply on SHFB.org
- Loss of federal benefits and associated economic activity by county (in CA)
- Lost Dollars, Empty Plates report by Tia Shimada, Nutrition Policy Advocate at CFPA
