Feeding San Diego launches more large-scale emergency food distributions throughout San Diego County as need for increased food assistance continues

FEEDING SAN DIEGO LAUNCHES MORE LARGE-SCALE EMERGENCY FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS THROUGHOUT SAN DIEGO COUNTY AS NEED FOR INCREASED FOOD ASSISTANCE CONTINUES

Next one to be held at LEGOLAND® California Resort on March 3, with more to follow around the county

SAN DIEGO (February 26, 2021) — As the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to adversely affect millions of San Diegans, Feeding San Diego has established more ongoing large-scale emergency food distributions throughout San Diego County. The next one will be held on Wednesday, March 3 at LEGOLAND® California Resort and will serve up to 1,400 North County households facing hunger. From 12 to 2 PM, anyone in need of food assistance can drive through to receive 50 pounds of nutritious food, including produce, shelf-stable items, and a frozen meat protein.

This distribution comes on the heels of a successful large-scale distribution series held specifically for those in the hard-hit hospitality industry. All four Mondays in February saw thousands driving through the distribution at Pechanga Arena, with more than 9,000 people receiving nutritious food. Starting in March of last year, the organization partnered with other organizations to hold large-scale distributions like the ones held at SDCCU Stadium. Almost a year later, the need is still present and large-scale distributions continue to be held, with Feeding San Diego leading the charge focusing on areas most in need.

“While the world remains cautiously optimistic about the immediate future and the eventual ease of the grip this pandemic has on us all, we remain committed to serving those in our community who are facing hunger,” said Dan Shea, CEO of Feeding San Diego. “The pandemic has created more hardship and disparity for families across the county. Our distributions are open to anyone facing hunger, no questions asked.”

“This has been an extremely challenging year for everyone and we want to continue to help not only our own staff but other members of the community however we can,” said President of LEGOLAND California Resort Kurt Stocks. “We are positive that things are going to turn around and will be beginning to hire new staff members to the Resort soon.”

These emergency distributions are in addition to the ongoing distributions the organization holds weekly, which can be found on Feeding San Diego’s Find Food map (feedingsandiego.org/findfood). Many people are facing hunger for the first time and don’t know where to turn. One of the objectives of these emergency distributions is to empower people with the information they need to navigate this crisis over the long-term. In addition to food, recipients of the distributions receive information about how to access other Feeding San Diego distributions close to their homes as well as information about CalFresh and how the organization can help them apply.

To register to attend the Feeding San Diego distribution at LEGOLAND California Resort, go to https://feedingsandiego.app.rsvpify.com.

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. Last year, more than 92 percent of the food provided to the community was rescued. By diverting more than 27 million pounds of food from the landfill, Feeding San Diego reduced greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 25,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent, which is comparable to taking 5,300 cars off the road for one year. To learn more about Feeding San Diego and its COVID-19 response, visit feedingsandiego.org.

ABOUT LEGOLAND California Resort

LEGOLAND® California Resort includes LEGOLAND® California, SEA LIFE® aquarium, LEGOLAND® Water Park, LEGOLAND® Hotel and LEGOLAND® Castle Hotel. All are geared for families with children between the ages of 2 and 12. At LEGOLAND California, you’ll find more than 60 rides, shows and attractions including the new LEGO® City: Deep Sea Adventure submarine ride where guests experience more than 2,000 real sea animals including real sharks, rays and tropical fish. The Park also includes LEGO® NINJAGO: Master of the Fourth Dimension 4D film, NINJAGO™ The Ride where guests experience 3D imagery, high-tech sensors and use hand movements in a striking motion to master their skills before battling the Great Devourer, and The LEGO® Movie 4D A New Adventure™. SEA LIFE aquarium is home to more than 5,000 living creatures and incorporates LEGO® models into a child’s voyage to the depths of the ocean featuring play zones, fun facts and quiz trails. LEGOLAND Water Park features more than seven slides, sandy beaches and the unique Build-A-Raft Rive plus Pirate Reef and LEGO Legends of Chima Water Park comprising 10 acres of water fun! The nation’s first LEGOLAND Hotel features 250 rooms, all themed either as pirate, adventure, kingdom, LEGO® Friends and LEGO® NINJAGO™! LEGOLAND Castle Hotel features 250 rooms, fully themed as Knights and Dragons, Royal Princess and Magic Wizard. For more information, visit www.LEGOLAND.com or call (760) 918-LEGO (5346).