The average food price has skyrocketed due to corona virus pandemic and recent events. The FAO Food Price Index has saw a fresh record high of nearly 160 points.
A shocking 60% price increase over the 2014-2016 base period shows that hunger is a public health issue of critical importance.
The most vulnerable demographic of society is taking the brunt of this economic pressure. Now more than ever, low-income families must rely on California Free Clinics, California Food Stamps, and food banks.
This guide will list helpful information about Food Bank in San Mateo County, California and organizations that can help curb hunger, how you can use their services and where to find them.
What is a Food Bank?
Food banks are non-profit charitable organizations that assist financially vulnerable populations by distributing food. Their main objectives is to help low-income individual and families by providing food.
They will work through other 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations like food pantries and soup kitchens. Sometimes they distribute the food themselves via mobile pantry.
Food Bank in San Mateo County, California serves as a single collection and distribution point for food donations. They operate much like a for-profit food distributor, but they do not use retailers. Instead, they may use church food banks, charities, and other non-profit food pantries to provide food to the people to fight hunger.
How the Food Bank Works?
- 1. Food is donated to a food bank.
- 2. Its stored in a big climate controlled warehouse.
- 3. Food Bank in San Mateo County, California distributes food to various non-profits for distribution.
- 4. Food reaches to who are in need.
Who can use Food Banks?
Many Food Bank in San Mateo County, California and food pantries are locally run, with others managed at the state or federal level. Qualification to receive nutrition assistance from food programs depends on the type.
There are different qualifying requirements, but many food banks have none. Just show up during their days and times of operation, and they will help if they are able.
Here are the tips while .
- It is highly advisable to call ahead before you arrive!
- Ask about any eligibility or documentation requirements they may have.
- If required, bring all required documents when you use their services.
Second Harvest Food Bank
Second Harvest Food Bank was the first one established in California in 1972 and is the second oldest in the US. It operates multiple distribution centers across the United States.
Impact of Second Harvest Food Bank is huge, It helps 85,000 Santa Cruz residents avoid missing meals and empty stomachs.
Second Harvest Food Bank in San Mateo County, California is easing the burden of impossible choices for families between food, housing, medicine, and other necessities.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties
Low-income families must stretch their money as far as possible, which often means sacrificing the variety and nutritional value of food consumed. When a child's basic needs are not met, there are devastating consequences. Children from low-income families are at the highest risk for malnutrition, childhood obesity, poor mental health, and lack of energy. Hunger can have a negative effect on a child's school performance and ability to learn.
The Family Harvest Program addresses these concerns by providing free groceries to low-income families with children under the age of 26. Each family in the Program receives approximately 112 pounds of food per month (the equivalent of 3-4 bags of groceries).
The Food Bank's Community Nutritionists also provide materials to promote healthier eating habits among children and adults and offer special tastings of food items that might be unfamiliar to Family Harvest members. Newsletters contain information about various health and nutrition issues as well as delicious recipes and food preparation instructions. The newsletters are printed in multiple languages for our diverse client population.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call ext to book your appointment.
Address :
285 Azucar Ave,
San Jose, CA 95111.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: Closed
- Wed: 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
- Thurs: Closed
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Mateo
- Santa Clara
- Alameda
- Contra Costa
- Santa Cruz
Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties
Produce Mobile Program brings high-quality fresh fruits and vegetables on a refrigerated truck to people in need at various community and neighborhood locations.
If you'd like to find a Produce Mobile distribution near you, please call our Food Connection line at 800-984-3663. Dates and times are subject to change, please call Food Connection for the latest updates.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call ext to book your appointment.
Address :
5300 Terner Way,
San Jose, CA 95136.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: Closed
- Wed: Closed
- Thurs: 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Mateo
- Santa Clara
- Alameda
- Contra Costa
- Santa Cruz
Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties
Second Harvest Food Bank's Brown Bag Program provides nutritious groceries twice a month to low-income older adults (ages 60+) and disabled individuals (ages 55+) at distribution sites in Santa Clara County and San Mateo County.
Sample Brown Bag Food Items:
• Chicken
• Eggs
• Fresh Produce
• Cereal
• Rice
• Other staple items
Brown Bag participants also benefit from workshops and activities that focus on healthy eating, nutritious recipes, and food safety. Newsletters and other educational materials — provided in multiple languages for our diverse client population — address health issues and other information relevant to seniors.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call ext to book your appointment.
Address :
3590 Cas Dr,
San Jose, CA 95111.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: Closed
- Wed: Closed
- Thurs: Closed
- Fri: 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM EST
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Mateo
- Santa Clara
- Alameda
- Contra Costa
- Santa Cruz
Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara & 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.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (408) 266-8866 to book your appointment.
Address :
750 Curtner Ave,
San Jose, CA 95125.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- San Jose
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Mateo
- Santa Clara
- Alameda
- Contra Costa
- Santa Cruz
St. Mary's Food Bank
The St. Mary's Food Bank was a first local food bank ever established in the United States in 1967. The St. Mary's Food Bank mission is food security and hunger relief for all Americans.
The St. Mary's distributes millions of pounds of food to the hungry each year, It also operates its own food pantries to allow allow people to access food directly from their warehouses.
It also offer specialized after-school programs for kids and career training for adults.
Church Food Bank Food Bank in San Mateo County, California
Church Food Bank Food Bank in San Mateo County, California serve a hot, nutritious lunch 365 days a year, even in the face of terrible weather and ever-increasing demand.
Church Food Bank welcome anyone who is in need of a meal, regardless of the person's circumstance, with no questions asked. It also provide showers, laundry, mail, I.D. assistance and other essential services.
Feeding America
John van Hengel, the founder of St. Mary's Food Bank, went on to create a national organization for food banks. The Feeding America organization is a leader in the nation's domestic hunger-relief efforts.
The Coronavirus epidemic put even more pressure on America's most vulnerable citizens. Feeding America has helped serve 6.6 billion meals to date.
The Feeding America have grown through donations and other charitable efforts to be able to deliver much-needed food via food rescue, hunger relief programs, and disaster response.
Alameda Food Bank
The Food Bank’s mission is to provide nutritious food to the low-income residents of the City of Alameda on a non-discriminating basis. The Alameda Food Bank is a private, non-affiliated, non-profit, tax-exempt agency. The Food Bank is overseen by a board of directors composed of community volunteers. Its day to day operation is run by two paid staff members and over 150 volunteers.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (510) 523-5850 to book your appointment.
Address :
1900 Thau Way,
Alameda, CA 94501.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Alameda
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Mateo
- Santa Clara
- City and County of San Francisco
- Alameda
- Contra Costa
- Solano
- Napa
- Marin
San Francisco Food Bank
Our mission is to end hunger in San Francisco and Marin. It's a huge job that's only gotten harder as our community struggles with a prolonged period of economic distress and record numbers of people are pushed to the point of hunger. Thankfully, thousands of caring donors and supporters have rallied around the Food Bank and enabled us to scale up our operations to meet the need. With 120 employees, 25,000 volunteers each year, and 450 partner organizations throughout the community, the Food Bank is vital lifeline for people in need of food assistance.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (415) 282-1900 to book your appointment.
Address :
900 Pennsylvania Ave,
San Francisco, CA 94107.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- San Francisco
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Mateo
- Santa Clara
- City and County of San Francisco
- Alameda
- Contra Costa
- Marin
Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano
The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano has been serving the community for over 35 years. The Food Bank serves approximately 149,000 hungry people in need every month directly at community sites and through a network of 180 charitable agencies, and distributed nearly 16 million pounds last year! The Food Bank works to reduce food waste, feed hungry people, and raise public awareness of issues related to food and hunger. The work could not get done without the help of the hundreds of volunteers that donate their time to coordinate food drives, sort and pack the food, and help distribute it to their hungry neighbors. - See more at: http://www.foodbankccs.org/about.html#sthash.cRqDRMB0.dpuf
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (925) 676-7543 to book your appointment.
Address :
4010 Nelson Ave,
Concord, CA 94520.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Concord
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Mateo
- Alameda
- Contra Costa
- Napa
- Solano
- Marin
- San Joaquin
- Sonoma
- Sacramento
Alameda County Community Food Bank
Alameda County Community Food Bank has been in business since 1985 ... with a vision toward a day when we can go out of business. We are the hub of a vast collection and distribution network that provides food for 275 nonprofit agencies in Alameda County. In 2012, the Food Bank distributed 23.2 million pounds of food, 53% of it fresh fruits and vegetables. Since moving into our permanent facility near the Oakland Airport in 2005 and leading the national food bank movement for a ban on the distribution of carbonated beverages, the Food Bank has ramped up distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables by more than 1,000%.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (510) 635-3663 to book your appointment.
Address :
7900 Edgewater Dr,
Oakland, CA 94621.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Oakland
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Mateo
- Santa Clara
- City and County of San Francisco
- Alameda
- Contra Costa
- Solano
- Napa
- Marin
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federally run program that helps obtain badly needed food for low-income people and families. SNAP program is also known as Food Stamp.
SNAP benefits in San Mateo County supplied approximately 40 million Americans in 2018. It is the most extensive nutrition program administered by Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and is a vital component of the social safety net for low-income Americans.
In 2017, roughly 9.2% of American households obtained SNAP benefits, with about 16.7% of all children living in homes benefiting.
The program had used paper "stamps" or coupons in the past – worth $1 (brown), $5 (blue), and $10 (green). These were bound into small booklets of various denominations, to be torn out individually and used in single-use exchanges.
Free Food Programs Summary
| Acronym | Name | For Moms & Kids | For Seniors | For Food Bank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SNAP | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program | Yes | Yes | No |
| TEFAP | The Emergency Food Assistance Program | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CSFP | The Commodity Supplemental Food Program | No | Yes | Yes |
| CACFP | The Child and Adult Care Food Program | Yes | Yes | No |
| NSLP | The National School Lunch Program | Yes | No | No |
| SBP | The School Breakfast Program | Yes | No | No |
| SFSP | The Summer Food Service Program | Yes | No | No |
| WIC | Women, Infants, and Children | Yes | No | No |
FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?
Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.
2. What kind of food is at a food Bank?
Specifically, San Mateo County food banks often need items like:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. How do you qualify for San Mateo County food bank assistance?
To qualify for food bank assistance you must provide:
- Current state-issued ID
- Social Security numbers of all household members
- Current electric bill to prove residence
- Bank Statement for income verification