Feeding San Diego provided over 31.2 million meals in fiscal year 2020, a nearly 20% increase over 2019
FEEDING SAN DIEGO PROVIDED OVER 31.2 MILLION MEALS IN FISCAL YEAR 2020, A NEARLY 20% INCREASE OVER 2019
Organization distributed 27.6 million pounds of rescued food to provide for San Diegans facing hunger
SAN DIEGO (October 9, 2020) —Feeding San Diego, the leading hunger-relief organization in San Diego County, has released its 2020 fiscal year impact that shows the rapidly increasing need for the organization’s services to combat hunger in the community during a year that will go down in history for its unprecedented challenges. Between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020, Feeding San Diego provided more than 31.2 million meals to people facing hunger through its decentralized rescue and distribution network. Of the meals distributed, 92 percent of the food was rescued. By diverting more than 27.6 million pounds of high-quality food before it went to waste from over 600 locations in San Diego County and over 225 farms and packing sheds throughout California, Feeding San Diego was able to save 24,578 metric tons of CO2 from being emitted into the atmosphere, the equivalent of taking 5,300 cars off the road for a year. The meals were distributed in partnership with more than 320 local charities, schools, faith communities, meal sites and food pantries. Nearly 10,000 volunteers, 19,300 financial donors and more than 55 staff members made this work possible.
“We are incredibly proud of the work we were able to accomplish in our last fiscal year, even while the world as we knew it shifted incomparably,” said Dan Shea, Interim CEO of Feeding San Diego. “Our mission is vital to the community at all times, but especially in times of crisis our services provide a critical lifeline to people facing hunger.”
Feeding San Diego’s vision is a hunger-free and healthy San Diego, and its mission is to connect every person facing hunger with nutritious meals by maximizing food rescue. Though food supply chains were upended this year by the pandemic, Feeding San Diego remained committed to its goal of rescuing food to help those facing hunger.
Feeding San Diego continues to meet the increased need of the community due to the pandemic through emergency and expanded distributions, made possible by philanthropic and government support. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, one in eight people in San Diego County faced hunger, including children. Now, the need has surged by 50%.
To donate to its COVID-19 Response Fund, visit the Feeding San Diego website.
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, veterans, and people facing homelessness in partnership with a network of 320 local charities, schools, faith communities, meal sites, and food pantries. More than 92% 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.
