Holiday Giving Season: Providing Hope During a Challenging Season

As the holiday giving season unfolds, Feeding San Diego has been busy spreading joy and relief to those in need throughout the region. From mid-November to mid-December, we hosted a series of eight special holiday food distributions across San Diego County. These distributions helped ensure that families have the essentials for a festive meal. This is more important than ever, as many are feeling the financial strain of high food prices and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

These holiday food distributions were held in addition to the hundreds of regular distributions Feeding San Diego hosts year-round. During this time of year, the need for food assistance becomes even more urgent. Families have to juggle the financial burdens of the holidays and everyday expenses like rent, gas, and healthcare. For many, the decision between buying a healthy, nutritious meal or covering other basic needs has become a harsh reality.

The banner from the holiday food distribution at Feeding San Diego’s headquarters

The Gift of Groceries

Among the eight holiday food distributions, three were hosted on base at Camp Pendleton. These are possible in partnership with Support the Enlisted Project and support active-duty military families. With a significant military presence in San Diego, Feeding San Diego recognized the unique challenges these families face. The stress of military life combined with rising living costs can make it difficult to put a holiday meal on the table. These on-base distributions ensured that military families had access to the same holiday cheer as others in the community.

In partnership with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, one distribution was held in the parking lot of the San Diego Zoo and another at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. These offered families in the area access to the holiday food they needed. Each distribution brought together the community and helped bridge the gap for those who may not have otherwise had the means to celebrate the season.

At every distribution, attendees received frozen turkeys or turkey breasts, along with other holiday food items like cranberry sauce, stuffing, corn muffin mix, and fresh produce. These essentials will help families create a traditional holiday meal, even when budgets are stretched thin. Hundreds of volunteers pitched in to make these distributions possible and get food to thousands of people.

Volunteers distributing frozen turkeys

Food Brings Families Together

For Jessica, a chef and mother who attended one of the distributions, the impact was deeply personal. She shared, “I’m pretty grateful that my parents are in a good spot so they’re able to host, but with my mom having to take on caring for her dad with dementia and basically get a whole another apartment for him and live off of his income, it’s hard. Now I get to take this food over to Christmas and help. It helps out that I’m okay at cooking, so I get to contribute to that as well.”

Jessica and her daughter

Jessica’s story highlights the challenges many families are facing this season. The cost of living in San Diego remains high, and while inflation has cooled slightly, many are still struggling. As a mother and caregiver, Jessica found it hard to provide for her family. Thanks to Feeding San Diego’s holiday food distribution, she could share a holiday meal with her family and help others in need. Her experience reminds us how crucial it is to provide food assistance during the holidays and all year long.

Feeding San Diego’s holiday distributions are just one part of the organization’s ongoing efforts to address hunger in the region. As the holidays come to a close, the need for food assistance remains. With so many facing difficult choices between basic necessities, Feeding San Diego’s work continues to bring hope, support, and a full meal to families throughout the county.

How to Help

If you’d like to participate in the holiday giving season, it’s not too late! Feeding San Diego relies on the generosity of our community to provide food to our neighbors in need at no cost. Our programs operate all year long and are available to anyone in need. There are so many ways to give back. You can donate your time, become a monthly donor, or start a food drive.