The typical San Diego family, Sylvia and Neil had well-paying jobs, two daughters, three cars and regularly went on vacation.
All of that changed when Neil, a construction worker, lost his job in the recession and was then injured without having insurance coverage. Sylvia lost her job when the company she worked for went bankrupt. Soon after, they lost everything — their house and cars.
“We just hold hands and cry on the inside because we cannot break down in front of our kids. With our eyes, we tell each other it’s going to be okay,” Sylvia said.
Thankfully, they found help. They turned to one of Feeding San Diego’s partner agencies to access healthy and nutritious food, apply for benefits, jobs and find shelter. Before, they had to worry about whether to buy food or pay for a motel, or pay their phone bill — they were relieved by the food they received.
“Without Feeding San Diego, we wouldn’t have food on our table,” Sylvia said.
Families like these are one of the many reasons Feeding San Diego is devoted to providing healthy food with dignity to San Diego residents struggling with hunger.
Feeding San Diego (formerly known as Feeding America San Diego) fights hunger locally by working hand-in-hand with partner agencies, local school districts, corporate partners and a network of volunteers to serve 63,000 children, families and seniors each week.
And with every dollar donated, Feeding San Diego can provide four meals for San Diegans facing hunger. To take a different perspective, every $1 donated can provide $8.16 worth of groceries.
To affirm its focus and commitment to serving San Diego County, the organization recently changed it’s name to Feeding San Diego.
The leading hunger relief organization in San Diego has always been local and independent, but the name didn’t always make that clear. With the new name comes the hope that this will help everyone, from current supporters and partners to future donors and volunteers, to understand what it is and who it serves.
Feeding San Diego continues to be a Feeding America member as part of the largest domestic hunger relief network in the United States. This membership ensures high operational efficiency, allows access to donated product and professional resources.
With 1 in 8 San Diegans struggling with food insecurity, including one in five children, the issue of hunger is widespread and there is a critical need to find answers. Through efficient operations, nutritious food and education, Feeding San Diego is creating fresh solutions to build a hunger-free and healthy community.
