Volunteers and businesses needed to donate and deliver food to those in need

REDWOOD CITY - As CalFresh benefits, California's version of SNAP, paused on November 1, the County is calling for residents and businesses to volunteer and contribute to the San Mateo County Edible Food Recovery Program to address the needs of residents facing hunger.

"If you're looking for a way to help your community and neighbors, you can donate extra food if you're a business, or volunteer to help distribute surplus food if you're a resident. We can all help in this time of extra need," said Jasneet W. Sharma, Director of San Mateo County's Sustainability Department.

Residents can reach out to food recovery organizations close to them and volunteer. The County has provided this map with over 26 organizations that need volunteers.

This is a continuation of the County's request on October 22, urging residents and businesses to step up during this time of increased need. The County encourages people to volunteer and make donations to the Core Service Agencies and Second Harvest of Silicon Valley.

"We're always looking for volunteers," said Arleen O'Connor, a volunteer and Board of Trustees member of Circle of Inspiration, which distributes food to families in need. "The great thing about this community is that when one of the distributors isn't available, we can reach out to our volunteers - and people are willing to pick up from San Mateo to deliver here or wherever it's needed."

The County's Edible Food Recovery Program supports food recovery organizations in recovering and distributing over 564,000 meals per month to help feed those in need.

"As the CalFresh benefits lapsed on November 1 due to the federal government shutdown, around 35,000 San Mateo County residents found that the benefits they rely on to feed their families aren't there, increasing demands on our non-profit and food bank partners," said Claire Cunningham, director of the County's Human Service Agency.

The San Mateo County Edible Food Recovery Program is a County-led effort to support food recovery organizations gather and redistribute surplus food from businesses in the county. This not only curbs waste and combats climate change but also supports families and individuals in need directly. Large food-generating businesses in California, such as supermarkets, wholesalers, restaurants, hotels, event venues, and hospitals can check if they are required to donate by visiting the Edible Food Recovery Program page on the Sustainability Department's website.

For businesses with smaller amounts of surplus food, apps like Too Good to Go can facilitate discounted surplus food sales to community members. Businesses are also encouraged to provide surplus to staff or donate directly to individuals.

Residents in need are urged to connect with the network of nonprofits throughout the County providing meals and groceries to residents. The Second Harvest of Silicon Valley Get Food Tool is a great place to learn where you can find food in your community. The County's Human Services Agency also offers a Food Resources Tool with information on additional food pickup sites and programs for eligible residents.

Supporting Quotes:
"When federal programs fall short, we count on our community which has always come through. That's the good stuff we see every single day. That's our community's shared sense of responsibility, and what makes San Mateo County strong," said Laura Bent, Samaritan House's Chief Executive Officer.

"While San Mateo County has committed nearly $900,000 to support our local food banks during this emergency, we cannot do it alone and will need the community to rally around our food banks and assistance programs to try to fill in the gaps, so no child or senior goes hungry as winter approaches," said San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President David Canepa.

"When families face empty shelves, it's our neighbors and local businesses who can fill the gap," said Supervisor Ray Mueller. "During this federal government shutdown, every donated meal matters."

"Without edible food recovery, we wouldn't be able to provide groceries or make all the meals needed to feed our community. Food rescue allows us to share meals with senior housing communities, homebound individuals, and thousands more local families. It makes it possible to continue meeting the immense need," said Reyna Sandoval, Samaritan House's Director of Food & Community Programs.

"The government shutdown is taking food away from our neighbors in need. Food insecurity is an existential crisis here in San Mateo County, even though we are one of the richest counties in the country. I implore each of us to help by donating money or time to make a difference while the need is urgent," said Supervisor Jackie Speier.

"Do you want to feed the people around you? You can make such a difference by asking your caterers and corporate dining to keep the food here in the community." said founder and executive director Maria Yapp of Peninsula Food Runners, a non-profit solely dedicated to food recovery.

Karen Wang, SMC Sustainability Department
650-454-5429
[email protected]

Paul Laustsen, SMC Human Services Agency
[email protected]