San Jose Food Bank Volunteer

Growing Pressure On Rapid Food Delivery

Implementing SB 1383 is an opportunity to both reduce hunger and prevent food from turning into methane and other greenhouse gases in landfills, said Andrew Cheyne, the former director of government affairs at the California Association of Food Banks, a statewide anti-hunger organization.

However, recovering food includes complex logistics and expenses that require rapid pickups and distribution to keep the food fresh. It can be especially challenging for food banks when lacking storage and staffing and facing other capacity issues.

Prompted by the law, many more businesses have reached out to Second Harvest and expressed their willingness to donate this year, Weatherby said.

The reason were getting these donations is because things are closer to the end of their life. So we need to make sure that we have the operations and logistics to turn that food around very quickly and get it to the people who need it.

Tracy Weatherby, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley

The law divides food suppliers into two tiers. Tier One includes grocery stores and supermarkets that typically have more produce and shelf-stable food to donate, and Tier Two businesses are hotels and restaurants with more prepared food. Tier One businesses must comply this year Tier Two has two years to prepare.

Weatherby said that her organization prioritized Tier One businesses to work with since they needed to have agreements in place this year, per the new law.

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Most Commonly Asked Questions:

I want to become a volunteer. What do I have to do?

We are so happy to hear that you are interested in joining our Community Seva Family.

Can kids participate?

We have lots of opportunities for children! Children ages 10 and above can cook at some shelters on the weekends. Younger children can participate in Care Bag seva, where they pack carebags at home for distribution. Please note: When you register your child for a seva, you must sign on their behalf and also provide a unique email id for the child.

Are our donations tax free? Where does the money go?

Yes. We are a registered 501 organization and all your contributions are tax-deductible.

I am a teenager and I want to earn volunteer hours. How can I help?

Please join us at sevas that allow children age 10+. We will be happy to provide you with the paperwork needed once you reach the qualifying number of hours with OUR organization.

I have a question that has not been answered on your website. Who can I speak to?

Please email with your questions and we will get back to you ASAP

Volunteer Drivers Are The Lifeblood Of Local Food Banks

FOSTER CITY — When Seth Adkins loads food into his car, it brings him back to his childhood in the Midwest. Back then, he could only hope that his single mom could afford a full cart of groceries.

“It was rough. It was waiting at the door, waiting for my mom to come home, hoping that she had food,” Adkins said.

There was no food bank. and no guarantee where he and his sister would get their next meal.

“I can remember one time, we had nothing in our cupboard,” Adkins said. “We came home from church and our cupboards were full. The refrigerator was full and the church had gathered money and taken care of us, and it really always stuck with me. And I always said if I got a chance and was in a comfortable spot of my own, I’m going to give back.”

He got his chance in May 2021.

The Foster City stay-at-home dad started making food deliveries five days a week, every week, from Second Harvest of Silicon Valley.

He drives emergency donations from the San Carlos warehouse in his own car to the elderly and others not able to leave their homes.

“If I can make someone’s life the littlest bit better, I will do it,” he said while driving to his first delivery of the day.

Shobana Gubbi, chief philanthropy officer, says the food bank serves 450,000 people a month from Daly City to Gilroy.

That’s an 80 percent increase since before COVID. So volunteers like Adkins are critical.

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Alameda Food Bank Volunteer Helps Pass On Tradition To Serve Community

OAKLAND On any given day, one will find lots of volunteers working hard to pack food and fresh vegetables, such as potatoes, apples and onions, at the Alameda County Community Food Bank.

Kate Rome is one of those volunteers making time to help is important to her and to her family.

“I was a regular volunteer before the pandemic and I am coming back, trying to do that more regularly,” Rome told KPIX 5. “I like to get us out volunteering at least once during the holiday season”

Their love of serving the community helped grow a legacy project at her daughter’s Alameda school

“They came with their 5th grade class, and you can also bring five kids per one adult, so we had come that way on our own just as a family,” Rome said.

“A group of parents proposed that the 5th grade legacy project be a partnership with Alameda county community food bank for the 5th graders to learn about food insecurity and the food bank,” Rome said.

Those 5th graders worked shifts.

“Seventy-five kids and about 25 adults over two days and we bagged about 30,000 pounds of food. And then we continued it for the next three years, our last one was January 2020, so we got one in right before the lockdown,” Rome recalled.

When the pandemic hit, that didn’t stop them from wanting to help

“It’s an ongoing tradition, which is very exciting, and I love that school supports it,” she said.

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Frequently Asked Questions From Volunteers

What will I be doing?

Warehouse volunteer activities include sorting produce and canned goods, repackaging food, and helping us maintain a clean and safe facility. Mobile Fresh volunteer activities include working the distribution lines, handing out nutrition education, and carrying bags to cars.

How often do I need to come?

What should I wear?

Do you need volunteers for special events?

How do you reward volunteers?

Do you need volunteer drivers?

Yes we do! Our need is greatest during the holiday season. We are especially in need of drivers than can help out Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 8am through 12pm. You must have a Class C license and a clean driving record, since we add you to our insurance and you drive our vehicles. If interested, please contact Juan at or 209-239-2091.

Is there an age limit for volunteers?

Yes, there is. Any minor under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. We are making an exception to our usual age limit of 16 and up. We understand that parents have limited options for recreational and educational activities with their children. We are therefore welcoming children ages 11 and up accompanied by their parent or guardian. Volunteering with your child is a wonderful way to spend time with them while also helping out the community! Exceptions to our age limits can be made for large groups, but these events need to be set up in advance .

Where does volunteering take place?

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Second Harvest Food Bank Of Santa Clara And San Mateo Counties

Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties is the trusted leader dedicated to ending local hunger. Since its inception in 1974, Second Harvest has become one of the largest food banks in the nation, providing food to an average of nearly one quarter of a million people each month. The Food Bank mobilizes individuals, companies, and community partners to connect people to the nutritious food they need. Nearly half of the food distributed is fresh produce. Second Harvest also plays a leading role in promoting federal nutrition programs and educating families on how to make healthier food choices.

The information above can be found on the official website of Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. For more details about the organization and to find out how you can volunteer, please visit their website:

Give Where You Live: Donate To Bay Area Food Banks

SAN FRANCISCO During the coronavirus pandemic, no one should go hungry. Families and individuals are struggling more than ever to make ends meet. Households face unemployment or underemployment, and more Bay Area residents must choose between paying bills and other basic necessities like finding healthy, fresh, nutritious food.

Please Give Where you Live and help local children and families get the nourishment they need to stay healthy!

Lets help our dedicated food banks do what they do best: feed people. Together, we can Build a Better Bay Area!

Find your local food bank and donate today:

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Second Harvest Of Silicon Valley Volunteer Works As A One

SAN MATEO — One man who regularly receives help from a South Bay food bank also works hard to give back, bringing food to those in need.

With the holiday season arriving, Bay Area food banks say the need for help has only increased with inflation and the continuing economic impacts of the pandemic. Over the next several weeks, KPIX will be taking a closer look at a need for help that stretches across our region. Delivering that help depends largely on volunteers.

Some of them, like Fletcher Sanford, receive food assistance themselves. However, Fletcher has also become a one-man distribution system for his neighbors and people across the community.

“Me, I get started here about 5:30 in the morning,” said Fletcher. “On Thursday. Every Thursday.”

Sunrise in San Mateo and the weekly Second Harvest food distribution is still hours away. Fletcher is ready.

“You see people in line all ready to go,” he said, looking at the early crowd.

He is known here as First In Line Fletcher, as he always is.

“Yeah, first in line,” he laughed.

But Fletcher wasn’t here at 5:30 a.m. just for himself.

“I’m going to 11 families today,” he told the distribution volunteers.

“It’s good, because the network, they say, ‘Hey Fletch, if you need help…'” he explained on the way to a delivery. “And then I can take it to the other people that need food.”

“So I don’t have to do anything,” he said. “It’s all teamwork.”

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Want To Volunteer At A Food Bank

Food banks, food pantries, and meal programs in the Feeding America network are continuing to do what they do best – provide meals to our communities. Volunteers are critical to providing food to everyone during this difficult time.

Pledge to volunteer with your local food bank and find a volunteer opportunity near you.

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Can I Distribute Food In The Community If Im Not Part Of A Group

Yes! Generally, our food distribution events are completely volunteer-run. Refer to our volunteer registration calendar to register for an upcoming shift. We also need individuals who are able to commit to volunteering on a regular basis. To see types of volunteer roles we need at food distribution events, check here.

Educare Family Resource Center

1399 Santee Drive, San Jose, CA 95122

Every Wednesday from 3:30 pm 4:30 pm

Cold meals, and snacks

• 2980 Senter Rd, San Jose

  Every 2nd & 4th Thursday from 10:00am 12:00pm

  Grocery boxes

• 160 North Rengstorff Ave, Mountain View

  Every 2nd & 4th Saturday from 10:00 am 12:00 pm

  Grocery boxes

• 21501 Alum Rock Ave. San Jose, CA 95116

  Monday through Friday from 10:45 am 11:55 pm

  Grocery boxes

• 921 S First St B, San Jose, CA 95110

  Second Tuesday from 8:30 am-12 pm and Fourth Saturday from 8:45 am-12 pm

  Grocery boxes

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Do You Require Warehouse Volunteers To Be Vaccinated

Second Harvest is committed to protecting the health and safety of our employees, their families, and the community at large. All staff are required to be fully vaccinated. We do not require but strongly recommend that food sort volunteers coming into our warehouses comply with the same requirement, since they spend at least two to three hours inside our facility.

Food Banks Soup Kitchens And Free Food Pantries In Santa Clara County

Food pantries in Santa Clara County California provide a number of assistance programs to individuals who need help. Stop by or call one of the centers, food banks near you, soup kitchens or community service programs listed below for free groceries, meals, basic needs, food, counseling, or information. Find details below as well as a referral number at the bottom of the page.

If you need help feeding your family or yourself, these locations in Santa Clara and San Jose are committed to doing what they can to assist. The services they offer can range from providing meals, groceries, and food up to helping people apply for government programs such as CalFresh food stamps or WIC. Many charities in the county also serve free holiday meals, including at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

If a food bank is unable to help meet your needs, they can usually refer you to other local charities, churches, or food distribution centers in the Santa Clara County region. Some of the centers have more specialty type programs as well, such as clothing, baby formula, school meals and snacks, or items like diapers. Locations may even run Meals on Wheels services for senior citizens. Counselors at the locations can often help people with applying for government programs like food stamps, and also direct you to state of California resources.

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South Bay Food Banks Work To Meet Increased Demand Amid High Prices Inflation This Holiday Season

With the holiday season upon us, food distribution agencies in San Jose are gearing up for an increase in demand amid rising costs and inflation.

SAN JOSE, Calif. Just as Bay Area food banks mobilized to manage demand under the COVID-19 pandemic, they are now meeting the ongoing pressure of serving more people with the added impact of inflation.

With holiday season upon us, food distribution agencies are gearing up for increased demand amid rising costs.

This is a particularly challenging time, Tracey Weatherby, VP of strategy and advocacy for Second Harvest of Silicon Valley told ABC7 News. We did a recent client survey and over 60% of our clients reported having less than $250 in savings.

Weatherby said food budgets are typically the first place people economize to make ends meet.

Food insecurity, no doubt, was highlighted and heightened during the pandemic. It was a time when Second Harvest saw demand double to 500,000 people each month.

It went down to about 400,000 people last year, and we thought that was maybe the new normal, she described. But with inflation and gas prices, and everything thats happening with the economy, were now up around 450,000 people every month.

A real-time reflection, Weatherby described.

Costs adding up, all while attempting to meet increased need.

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What Is The Minimum Age To Volunteer

The minimum age is 12, and all volunteers under the age of 18 must have a signed electronic permission slip on file at least 48 hours before volunteering. In addition, there are chaperone requirements for youths ages 12 to 15 . Individual 16 and 17 year olds can volunteer without a chaperone but groups of 16 and 17 year olds do require chaperones . Some volunteer opportunities have other age requirements.

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Sign Up To Volunteer In Our Food Bank

Please read the instructions and choose the appropriate sign-up page below. Registration is quick and easy.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, we have had an increase of those in need by more than 60%. With this demand and the increase in safety guidelines, we have created specific programs and times for those that would like to donate their time*. The buttons below will allow you to register and sign-up for specific days and times in our warehouse and/or mobile fresh events. For larger groups use the Group Sign-Up.

To keep people safe, we are limiting the amount of people that can volunteer at one time. These are in blocks of 2 hours. So if you want to sign up for more than one day, go ahead and register all the days you would like to help out by using the button below. Your help is greatly appreciated. See you soon!

*Have questions about which type of volunteering will suit you best? Learn more here.

Delivering To Sacred Heart: Arrival & Parking Information

Please bring all donations to the Sacred Heart Community Service Donation Station at 1381 South 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95110. Current donation station business hours and closure dates are always available in the footer on any page of our website. Our parking lot is very busy. Pull in off Alma and dont park drive through and youll see our donation station in back.

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I Want To Volunteer With My Family How Should We Sign Up

Families can volunteer together, either in our warehouses sorting food or in the community distributing food. Families of five or more should register as a group and families of less than five will need to register as individuals.

Each member of the family must register in advance, even if registering as a group. The group organizer will send a special link so each member can sign up. Youths ages 12 to 17 must register with their information, and include an accurate email address for their parent or guardian. A required electronic parental permission slip will then be emailed to the parent or guardian. Youths younger than 12 are not permitted to volunteer, even with their parents or guardians.