On a Tireless Mission to Solve Hunger and Bring Hope

Though new to the Salvation Army Escondido Corps, Lieutenant Ben Jones and Captain Emily Jones are no amateurs when it comes to helping the community.

“My parents were Salvation Army Officers,” recalled Captain Emily, “so from the time I could walk I was at food and toy distributions.”

Lieutenant Ben and Captain Emily have instilled their giving natures into their four sons, who also spend their time volunteering with Salvation Army. Without a full-time employee to pick up food donations from Feeding San Diego’s Food Rescue retail partners, the Joneses rely on their sons’ volunteer support Throughout the week they pick up the vital food that so many local residents rely on to meet their basic needs.

Salvation Army Escondido Corps serves anyone in need who walks through their doors. Feeding San Diego provides thousands of pounds of donated food every week to this partner location alone, with the Escondido Corps hosting food distributions every day of the week. Donations include shelf-stable items and produce, delivered from Feeding San Diego’s distribution center, as well as Food Rescue donations from local grocery stores like Costco, Albertsons and ALDI.

On the busiest days, 300 different people visit to pick up produce, bread, milk and other available food.

Salvation Army Escondido Corps’ goal is not to simply make sure people are fed; it is to ensure that the people they serve feel welcome, loved and respected. “One stigma we are trying to overcome is that there is no shame in coming to get food that is still in great condition, that needs to be eaten and not go to waste,” Captain Emily shared.

The senior population holds a special place in Lieutenant Ben and Captain Emily’s hearts. Every Wednesday, service caters especially to seniors, ensuring they have a helping hand to carry their food out of the building.

In the next few months, Salvation Army Escondido Crops plans to start direct-to-door service for seniors who are physically unable to leave their homes and attend distributions.

“If we didn’t feed them, these seniors wouldn’t have the money to eat,” said Captain Emily. “A woman came to me the other day and said, ‘I don’t have toilet paper or money for food. I have no money until the first of the month-none.’”

With so many people in the San Diego community needing help, Salvation Army Escondido Corps works tirelessly to make sure that people facing hunger have not only food, but hope. Dedicated partners like Lieutenant Ben, Captain Emily and their team of volunteers are helping to make Feeding San Diego’s vision of a hunger-free and healthy San Diego possible.