As many as 55,000 households rely on us every week, nearly twice as many as before the pandemic. But a number only reveals so much – it masks the people, the care, the compassion we’ve seen at the Food Bank. These are the stories of community in a world turned upside down.
“People don’t have enough food, even though this is purportedly a rich nation. Because of that, no one should go hungry, especially here in San Francisco.”
Read More Read More"I’d never really thought about food as something we needed to worry about in the Bay Area. But after seeing the line outside of Bessie Carmichael, it dawned on me that I needed to do something."
Steve Walker, donor, Cobaltix
Read More Read More"It just felt so good. We thought, ‘let’s try to feed 20 people this year.' So that’s what we’re gonna do."
Irie, participant
"Food was comfort. Food was family. And that’s the feeling of security the Food Bank is providing for about 55,000 families—especially for the kids who come to the pantries with parents or grandparents."
Read More Read More"It warms my heart being able to hear how much the community appreciates our mission and the sense of relief they receive from us.”
Sergio Salguera, senior lead driver, the Food Bank
"Every day it seemed like there was either a new guideline or fear of what this pandemic could bring. So, those first three weeks were tough, but we adjusted and reshaped all our programs."
Read More Read More“It’s amazing how many people who live here never knew about the pantry until now. But I can understand, it’s because they were working every day."
Mary Ann Pikes, volunteer, Visitacion Valley Strong Families
Read More Read More"At first, I knew the need was dire, but not at this level. That’s why, in my opinion, it makes the most sense for me to come and help."
Pauline Harris, disaster service worker
"We are one small link in a chain that gets food to people who need it. Just the opportunity to be part of that chain—one small piece—is gratifying and makes a huge difference."
Read More Read More“The pandemic has been like a giant wrecking ball through our food supply chain.”
Barbara Abbott, VP supply chain, the Food Bank
"We are living in very hard days; we haven’t worked in a very long time. We don’t have any money and we have to pay for everything – bills, rent, food – it’s very difficult."
Read More Read More"I was at the Firehouse and watching the morning news. They were talking about the unprecedented need. We, at Station 13, decided we should do a t-shirt."
Julie DeJarlais, donor, SFFD
Read More Read More"Honestly, I don’t even know how we are getting by. By the grace of God, we are living day by day."
Jasmine, participant
"I hope that the public health reality has shown that we are all, as San Franciscans and as humans, facing this challenge together. We need to support one another."
Read More Read More"Just a basic level of survival. Just bills and food, nothing else."
Alex, participant
Thanks to you, the impossible seems possible. During the last year, a year with sky-rocketing food insecurity in the midst of the pandemic, our community rallied together to make sure that neighbors didn’t go hungry. Food for millions of meals was distributed. We could not have done it without you.
