Feeding San Diego supports youth facing hunger this summer at 23 sites across San Diego County

FEEDING SAN DIEGO SUPPORTS YOUTH FACING HUNGER THIS SUMMER AT 23 SITES ACROSS SAN DIEGO COUNTY

11 sites added this week to meet the rising need

SAN DIEGO (July 15, 2020) — This summer, Feeding San Diego is supporting youth in need with the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), a critical part of its hunger-relief services across San Diego County. SFSP provides vital support during the summer months to ensure youth are getting the nutrition they need to grow and thrive.

In response to the COVID-19 crisis and the closure of schools, Feeding San Diego transitioned 11 of their afterschool meal sites to SFSP sites beginning in March and continue to provide 25,000 meals weekly to youth. This week, 11 additional youth meal sites were added and another is scheduled to launch at the end of July.

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 moving to virtual learning in mid-March and unprecedented levels of unemployment across the county, youth are increasingly affected by hunger.

At the 23 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.

ADDITIONAL HUNGER-RELIEF PROGRAMS SUPPORTING YOUTH:

Feeding San Diego also provides meals to youth and their families through an additional 15 meal sites with 3,500 food boxes weekly in partnership with local school districts, including San Diego Unified School District, and Cajon Valley Union 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

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. To learn more about Feeding San Diego and its COVID-19 response, visit feedingsandiego.org/coronavirus.