Feeding San Diego launches emergency federal nutrition sites for youth in response to COVID-19

FEEDING SAN DIEGO LAUNCHES EMERGENCY FEDERAL NUTRITION SITES FOR YOUTH IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19

Due to the unprecedented countywide school closures, special drive-through youth meal distributions will be provided at sites across San Diego County

San Diego (March 27, 2020) — This week, Feeding San Diego launched special meal distributions for children and teens across San Diego County. Free, hot meals are available for children Monday through Friday, and cold meals at one site on Saturdays. Meals are kid-friendly and nutritious, like whole-grain pizzas, homemade macaroni and cheese, and fresh burritos.

“One in six children in San Diego County face hunger. Now with the COVID-19 pandemic, the need is increasing rapidly every day,” said Vince Hall, CEO of Feeding San Diego. “The closure of the schools has cut-off access to school breakfasts and school lunches. We are sponsoring these daily meals sites to help make sure our kids have access to healthy, nutritious meals.”

Feeding San Diego is committed to connecting every person facing hunger with nutritious meals, especially in times of crisis. During the worldwide COVID-19 public health emergency, the organization remains more committed than ever to serving people facing hunger.

New distributions sites are being added, but currently include:

• Boys and Girls Club San Marcos Ongoing – Monday to Friday I 3:00 PM 1 Positive Pl., San Marcos, CA 92069
• Casa de Salud Ongoing – Monday to Friday I 1:00 PM 1408 Harding Ave., National City, CA 91950
• La Maestra Community Health Centers Ongoing – Monday to Saturday I 11:30 AM 4440 Wightman St, Ste 200, San Diego, CA 92105
• Mission Cove Apartments Ongoing – Monday to Friday I 12:00 PM 3239 Conch Way, Oceanside, CA 92058
• Ocean Discovery Institute Ongoing – Monday to Friday I 3:00 PM 4255 Thorn St., San Diego, CA 92105
• Pro Kids City Heights Ongoing – Monday to Friday I 11:00 AM 4085 52nd St., San Diego, CA 92105
• Pro Kids Oceanside Ongoing – Monday to Friday I 11:00 AM 821 Douglas Dr., Oceanside, CA 92058
• Sierra Vista Apartments Ongoing – Monday to Friday I 12:00 PM 422 Los Vallecitos Blvd., San Marcos, CA 9206

Two of the sites, Pro Kids Oceanside and Pro Kids City Heights, are distributing breakfast along with the lunches.

To reduce the risk of community transmission of COVID-19 and guarantee adherence to social distancing practices, the distribution sites are all using a drive-through model. All meals are free and are available to any youth 18 years old or younger, or anyone with a disability. No identification or personal information is required, but the children must be present (in car) to receive a meal. These prepared meals are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

In addition to the Federal Nutrition Program distributions, Feeding San Diego offers food assistance at sites throughout San Diego County. Additional community resources are accessible by calling 2-1-1 or visiting 211sandiego.org. For more information on Feeding San Diego’s coronavirus response, visit feedingsandiego.org/coronavirus.

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 26 million meals every year to children, families, seniors, college students, military families and veterans and people facing homelessness in partnership with a network of 300 local charities, schools, faith communities, meal sites and food pantries. Through an efficient model focused on reducing our impact on the environment, every dollar donated helps provide four nutritious meals to people in need. To learn more about Feeding San Diego and its hunger-relief initiatives, visit feedingsandiego.org.