San Francisco-Marin Food Bank Data Shows Rising Food Insecurity
COVID-19 Hunger Report Demonstrates Surge in Demand
SAN FRANCISCO (September 10, 2020) – The San Francisco-Marin Food Bank releases its COVID-19 Hunger Report which looks at the rising food insecurity in our community.
Before the pandemic, one in five people was at risk of hunger in San Francisco and Marin. As the crisis has unfolded, the Food Bank has nearly doubled the number of households it serves to 60,000 a week. It is now distributing 54 percent more food per month than pre-shelter-in-place. The report also shows a correlation between the zip codes with the largest increase in unemployment claims and those where demand for Food Bank services spiked.
“The economic ripple effects of COVID-19 have only exacerbated the hunger crisis that already existed,” said Paul Ash, Executive Director, San Francisco-Marin Food Bank. “Historic levels of unemployment are driving many to the Food Bank for the first time. By delivering groceries to seniors and opening new Pop-up Pantries in neighborhoods with the greatest need, we are working to meet the sustained levels of critical need for food for in our community.”
In response to the pandemic the Food Bank raced to transform how it operates – creating new programming that had the health and safety of staff, volunteers, and participants in focus. It opened 28 Emergency Pop-up Pantries across San Francisco and Marin, started delivering weekly groceries to 12,000 seniors sheltering at home, helped thousands apply for CalFresh (food stamps), and advocated for P-EBT and other benefits.
September is Hunger Action Month, a nationwide initiative to raise awareness around hunger in our communities. This report from the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank demonstrates the urgent need to take action to ensure the most vulnerable in our communities can still put food on the table. Those who want to get involved can visit www.sfmfoodbank.org to learn how to volunteer, donate, or advocate.
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ABOUT SAN FRANCISCO-MARIN FOOD BANK
San Francisco-Marin Food Bank’s mission is to end hunger in San Francisco and Marin, where one in five neighbors is at risk of hunger. We envision a community where everyone is able to obtain enough nutritious food in a dignified manner to support the health and well-being of themselves and their families. We address hunger head on: from our pantry network and home-delivered groceries to our nutrition-education classes and food-stamp enrollment, we work in many ways to nourish and empower neighbors in need. Every week, 60,000 households count on us for food assistance. Nearly 60 percent of what we distribute is fresh fruits and vegetables. Learn more at www.sfmfoodbank.org.
MEDIA CONTACT
Keely Hopkins, Communications and Social Media Manager
415-282-1900, ext. 292 | khopkins@sfmfoodbank.org
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