Second Harvest Food Bank San Mateo

Food Insecurity Myth #: Only People Who Are Unemployed Need Food Assistance

Due to the high cost of living in Silicon Valley, you dont have to be unemployed to be food insecure. San Mateo County is the most expensive region for people who rent in the country, and the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara region is the second most expensive, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Based on numbers provided by HSH, a household would need to make more than $282,000 to buy a home in San Jose in 2022.

The truth is wages have remained relatively flat over the past couple of decades for everyone except the highest-paid tech industry employees, while the cost of living has skyrocketed and that was before inflation hit a 40-year high, further straining household budgets. That means many of the people who are key to making our community a great place to live including those in healthcare, education, retail, hospitality and other service industries can barely make ends meet.

Most of our adult clients have at least one job, but many also have to work two or three jobs just to make ends meet. I work my butt off having two jobs just to ensure that my family doesnt have to focus on my education and my housing and my food insecurity and all that, says CJ, a San José State University student who gets food from the campus pantry stocked by Second Harvest.

Case Study: Second Harvest Food Bank Of Santa Clara And San Mateo Counties

Based in Silicon Valley, Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties is one of the largest food banks in the nation. Currently providing food to more than one quarter of a million people every month, Second Harvest is a trusted community-based organization that was founded in 1974. In fiscal year 2017 , they distributed more than one million pounds of nutritious food each week to low-income people in need in every zip code of their service area from Daly City to Gilroy, and from the ocean to the bay.

Non-profit food bank organization serving 3 million people annually

165 with an additional 10 temporary staff

On Premise Solution Hosted locally

Business Need Second Harvest wanted to move from an Excel-based solution to a software solution that would improve accuracy for their reporting and forecasting functionalities.

Budget Solution PowerPlan, Questicas non-profit budgeting solution, helped the Food Bank move away from a tedious spreadsheet process to a more efficient centralized solution.

Business Benefits More delegation, saving time for more non-administrative and higher priority duties Simple navigation to get everyone in the organization involved Quick acknowledgement of variance in numbers Roll-up functionalities Viewing departments and sub department budgets accurately Allow end users to edit or view depending on their security setting Payroll module Eliminated the need for spreadsheets and tedious entering and allowed increased accuracy

Food Insecurity Myth #: You Can Tell When Someone Is Food Insecure Just By Looking At Them

The truth is, you cant always see when someone is food insecure. They may have purchased a nice car or decent clothing when they were financially secure, but due to recent job loss or a life-changing event, they cant afford enough healthy groceries for their family. There are many reasons why someone might have nice things and still need food assistance.

With the high cost of living in Silicon Valley, its difficult for a lot of hardworking people to pay their bills, let alone save money. In a recent survey of Second Harvest clients, 60% of respondents said they have less than $100 in savings. That means many families are just a paycheck away from a financial disaster. While some people may have purchased nicer things when they had more money, hitting unexpectedly tough times can change things overnight material possessions are not always an indication that people are financially stable.

We dont want people to wait until they lose absolutely everything before they ask for help, but unfortunately, many of our clients only reach out when their cupboards are bare. Food assistance can help individuals and families stay housed by freeing up funds for housing, bills and other expenses.

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Second Harvest Food Bank

• Phone 870-FOOD Operation Brown Bag
• Phone 984-FOOD Food Hotline

• HoursPlease call or visit website for hours of operation.
• Fees:Please contact provider for fee information.
• Application Process:Call or visit website for additional information.
• Eligibility Requirements:Please call service provider or visit website to learn more about eligibility requirements.
• Payment/Insurance Accepted:Please contact provider for accepted forms of payment.
• ADA Access:Please contact facility for accessibility information.

Tell us about the person you’re helping:

• Please contact provider for languages spoken by staff.

Second Harvest Of Silicon Valley

Second Harvest of Silicon Valley is a food bank based in San Jose, California, that serves Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, including Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Peninsula. With $136 million in revenue in 2019, it is the largest food bank in the San Francisco Bay Area and the 12th largest in the United States. As of 2020, it serves about 500,000 people on average per month. It is affiliated with Feeding America, a national network of food banks, as well as the California Association of Food Banks. Leslie Bacho is the organization’s chief executive officer.

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Facts About Child Hunger In America

• More than 9 million children faced hunger in 2021. That’s 1 in 8 kids at risk for hunger.
• Black and Latino children are more likely to face hunger than white children because of systemic racial injustice. According to the USDA, in 2021, 22% of Black children were food insecure, and 18.5% of Latino children were food insecure.
• Single-parent families are more likely to face hunger because they need to stretch their income further. In 2021, 24% of households headed by single moms were food insecure.

Food Insecurity Myth #: People Who Are Overweight Cant Be Food Insecure

You may think its not possible for someone to need food assistance if they are overweight. Doesnt that mean they eat too much already? Its easy to understand why this food insecurity myth persists. The truth is its not uncommon for people who are food insecure to be overweight or even obese.

In a 12-state study of 66,553 adults, those who were food insecure had a 32% greater risk of being obese compared with those who werent. Food insecurity and obesity have a complicated relationship, and there are a number of reasons why thats true.

Our clients are often juggling multiple jobs, have limited transportation options and are trying to stretch their food dollars to the end of the month any way they can. The impact of being economically unstable, a reliance on cheap fast foods and stress-induced hormones can all drive cravings and decisions around food, which can then lead to obesity.

Lower-cost foods like fast foods and cheap snack items tend to be higher in sugar, fat and calories. They can temporarily fill you up but do not provide enough of the nutrients our bodies need, which is why low-income communities tend to have higher rates of diabetes as well as high blood pressure and other health issues.

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As Californians Give Their Time And Money This Holiday Season Attorney General Bonta Issues Charity Consumer Alert Volunteers With Second Harvest Of Silicon Valley

SAN MATEO Today in San Mateo, California Attorney General Rob Bonta joined Second Harvest of Silicon Valley to share tips and resources on how to donate safely and avoid scams while giving this holiday season. Attorney General Bonta has primary regulatory oversight of charities and the professional fundraisers who solicit on their behalf in California. The Attorney General may investigate and bring legal action against charities that misuse charitable assets or engage in fraudulent fundraising practices. In providing todays tips, Attorney General Bonta encourages donors to take the necessary steps to ensure that their donations get into the correct hands.

As food prices continue to soar, making ends meet may be a struggle for some families this holiday season, said Attorney General Bonta. Fortunately, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley is helping families fill their pantries with food to make a hot meal. This holiday season, were standing with Second Harvest and organizations throughout California to deliver an important message: Before donating to charitable organizations this holiday season make sure to do your research and ensure the charity is legitimate. My office is committed to protecting donors from deceptive solicitations. If you believe that a charity or fundraiser has acted in bad faith, please report it immediately at oag.ca.gov/charities/complaints.

Second Harvest Food Bank Of Santa Clara And San Mateo Counties

Second Harvest Food Bank provides food for people in need in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. In addition to providing food assistance that is dignified, healthy, and accessible, Second Harvest also engages in advocacy efforts to improve food assistance and nutrition programs.

This grant is for general support. Second Harvest is the largest nonprofit provider of food in the region, collaborating with more than 300 nonprofits in the Bay Area. It specifically targets high-need areas such as Daly City, South San Francisco, the San Mateo County coastline, Redwood City, East Palo Alto, Downtown and East San Jose, and Gilroy. In addition, Second Harvest also aims to increase access to CalFresh Californias food stamp program and provides services to families living at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

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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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Food Assistance Programs Through Second Harvest Food Bank

Free Groceries through Second Harvest of Silicon Valley

Second Harvest of Silicon Valley provides free groceries for low income members at various locations in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. This program helps people with income at or below 275% of federal poverty guidelines. Some locations may require you to bring an ID or other information, please call the closest location to ensure availability and eligibility.

For more information, please call 800-984-3663 or visit .

Program Location/Dates/Times*

• Lincoln Park Community Center, 901 Brunswick Street
• 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the Month
• Distribution Time: 3:00 – 5:00pm

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Food Insecurity Myth #: People Are Cheating The System To Get Food They Dont Really Need

This is probably the most damaging food insecurity myth because it questions the integrity of those who come to us seeking food for their families. The truth is we are more concerned about the people who arent getting enough nutritious food to stay healthy but still dont ask for help because they fear the social stigma and judgment of asking for support. Surveys weve conducted over the years tell us that most people are reluctant to get food assistance even when they need it.

Even before the pandemic, 1 in 4 people in Silicon Valley was at risk of food insecurity based on their income and the high cost of living in this area and things have only gotten worse for low-wage earners since the pandemic.

Mostly we know that people accepting food from Second Harvest who otherwise can afford to buy it is rare because we talk to the people who come to our grocery distribution sites the moms who are worried about providing enough nutritious food for their kids, the seniors who want to make sure they dont take too much so there is food left for others, and the college students who are grateful for the help as they struggle to pay for school and other basic necessities.

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There is hope through community support

$1 helps provide enough food for 2 meals. Give today and help families in Silicon Valley get the nutritious food they need.

Bringing Healthy Food To Silicon Valley

Our work is about all of us joining together to make sure we all have access to the most basic need: food. Founded in 1974, Second Harvest is one of the largest food banks in the nation. We provide food to more than a quarter of a million people in Silicon Valley every month. More than half the people we serve are kids and seniors.

We distribute healthy food, including more fresh produce than almost any other food bank in the country, through a network of 309 nonprofit partners at 985 sites. To reach more people, we connect those in need to federal nutrition programs and other food resources.

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Food Insecurity Myth #: Only People Who Are Unhoused Need Food Assistance

This is one of the most common food insecurity myths, but if it were true, Second Harvest would be providing food to fewer than 12,000 people. Thats how many residents dont have a permanent place to call home according to the most recent count in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Instead, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley provides food to 450,000 people every month.

The truth is the vast majority of kids, families and seniors we serve are housed but after paying for the high cost of housing in Silicon Valley, and managing other fixed costs/bills, many people find that they cant afford to buy enough nutritious groceries with whats left over at the end of the month. Thats why most of what Second Harvest provides is produce and other fresh foods like meat, eggs and dairy products that our clients can use to create and enjoy balanced, home-cooked meals.

Jif Peanut Butter Recall

Second Harvest of the Greater Valley is aware of Jif Peanut Butters current recall. The safety of those utilizing second harvest food bank services is our top priority, and we are doing everything to check all donations of Jif peanut butter against the affected lot numbers. If you have received Jif Peanut butter from SHGV in the last few months, we ask that you please check the lot numbers against the recall to ensure the safety of your food. Likewise, if you are donating Jif peanut butter, please check the lot numbers as well so as not to put those utilizing SHGV services and products at risk. Thank you for allowing us to serve you and the continued support SHGV receives daily.

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