Feeding San Diego continues to support youth facing hunger at 28 dedicated food distribution sites throughout the county

FEEDING SAN DIEGO CONTINUES TO SUPPORT YOUTH FACING HUNGER AT 28 DEDICATED FOOD DISTRIBUTION SITES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY

With some sites open since March, all sites now extended to continue to serve meals to those in need

SAN DIEGO (October 27, 2020) — Feeding San Diego continues to support youth in need through its extended Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), a critical part of its hunger-relief services across San Diego County that usually ends come fall. Due to COVID-19, waivers and extensions have been put into place that allow the distribution sites to go on into 2021. Typically, SFSP provides vital support during the summer months to ensure youth are getting the nutrition they need to grow and thrive. Now, that support is available through the end of June 2021. In total, there are 28 sites (22 of which are open to the public), ensuring that there are many access points throughout the county for youth and families facing hunger.

Before COVID-19, one in six children faced hunger in San Diego County. Now the need has surged by an estimated 50 percent. With schools primarily operating with virtual learning and unprecedented levels of unemployment across the county, youth are increasingly affected by hunger.

At the 28 youth meal sites hosted by Feeding San Diego, children aged 1-18 can receive a free breakfast and lunch daily. Children do not have to be present to receive a meal: a parent or guardian can pick up meals for them if they provide the names of their children. Feeding San Diego has fully adapted its operations to follow San Diego County health guidelines, and these sites are operating as drive-through pick-ups, with meals served on a first-come, first serve basis to be taken home for consumption. Meals follow the USDA SFSP meal pattern and are either hot or cold.

In addition to its regular and emergency food distributions, the following is a list of Feeding San Diego’s Summer Food Service Program drive-through sites:

*Closed enrolled site, call ahead for eligibility criteria

**Two days’ worth of food will be served. Breakfast and lunches included.

If you are interested in visiting a distribution, please contact Allison Glader at aglader@feedingsandiego.org or (858) 229-1613.

ADDITIONAL HUNGER-RELIEF PROGRAMS SUPPORTING YOUTH:

Feeding San Diego also provides meals to youth and their families through an additional 15 meal sites with nearly 4,500 food boxes weekly in partnership with local school districts, including San Diego Unified School District and Cajon Valley School District. Further, the organization continues to operate seven school pantries and provide hundreds of community distributions throughout the county.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Text “food” or “comida” to 877-877 to find sites that provide free summer meals. Alternatively, dial 2-1-1 to be connected to 211 San Diego, a source for access to community, health, social and disaster services.

NON–DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT:

Meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. Meals will be provided, at a first come, first serve basis, at the sites and times listed above. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD3027), found online and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992.

Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 (2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

ABOUT FEEDING SAN DIEGO

Feeding San Diego is a non-profit organization on a mission to connect every person facing hunger with nutritious meals by maximizing food rescue. Established in 2007, Feeding San Diego is the leading hunger-relief and food rescue organization in San Diego County and the only Feeding America affiliate in the region. Feeding San Diego provides more than 31.2 million meals every year to children, families, seniors, college students, military families, and veterans, in partnership with a network of 320 local charities, schools, faith communities, meal sites, and food pantries. More than 92 percent of the food provided to the community is rescued. By diverting more than 27 million pounds of food from the landfill every year, Feeding San Diego is reducing greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 25,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent, which is comparable to taking 5,300 cars off the road for a year. To learn more about Feeding San Diego and its COVID-19 response, visit feedingsandiego.org.