Feeding San Diego Continues Its Large-Scale Food Distributions, Has Now Assisted Over 100,000 San Diegans in Need

Series of ongoing drive-through food distributions are in “hunger hot spots” across the county

Feeding San Diego, San Diego County’s leading hunger relief and food rescue organization, has now served over 100,000 people as part of its Together Tour series of free food distributions. Feeding San Diego has continued to see a need for food assistance across all areas of the county as people struggle to recover from the economic fallout of the public health crisis caused by the pandemic.  

Large-scale food distributions are a new tactic for the hunger relief organization. This effort has been undertaken by the non-profit, who rallied into action with the help of volunteers, donors, and food donors to provide increased food assistance to those whose livelihoods continue to be affected by the pandemic. So far, there have been 56 food distributions as part of the Together Tour and over 1.6 million pounds of food have been distributed. Every Together Tour food distribution is open to anyone in need with no requirements. 

Since February of 2021, Feeding San Diego has operated the Together Tour to provide large numbers of San Diegans with access to nutritious food in areas of the county that have been identified as hunger hot spots, including Chula Vista, San Diego, and Escondido. What began as a large-scale drive-through distribution specifically for members of the hard-hit hospitality industry has now evolved into a countywide series of food distributions that will continue through the end of this year. The Together Tour is an accomplishment for the non-profit because it’s the first large-scale food distribution that the team has operated independently without any partners. 

“The Together Tour is only possible because of our stakeholders, including our staff, volunteers, and donors, who make it possible to operate these distributions. It demonstrates our commitment to flexibility and proactiveness in providing food assistance to those facing hunger,” said Dan Shea, Chief Executive Office of Feeding San Diego. “The Together Tour is not temporary. We are still seeing the need for large-scale food distributions weekly.”  

Together Tour sites are located across the county in parking lots in Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Fallbrook, Ramona, San Diego, Sorrento Valley, and Spring Valley. Every site has a recurring date and time and people can register in advance or drive through day-of. Those who drive through receive at least 50 pounds of food, including dry goods, fresh produce, and a frozen meat protein. The operations move very quickly, and almost 1,000 households have been served in under an hour at certain sites. 

The Together Tour is also a resource for patients facing cancer as part of the organization’s Feeding Patients program, in partnership with the San Diego Padres and Curebound. At all current Together Tour distributions, patients facing cancer can drive through to receive free food assistance. Almost 400 patients facing cancer and their families have been served to date. 

A full list of all sites, dates, and times can be found here. In October, the Together Tour will be stopping at Qualcomm’s offices in Sorrento Valley, Pechanga Arena, Faith Chapel in Spring Valley, the Palomar College campus in Fallbrook, Southwestern College in Chula Vista, Cal State University San Marcos, The Shoppes at Carlsbad, Mountain View Community Church in Ramona, North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre, and more.