The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank is hosting a virtual food drive to provide nutrition to vulnerable families and seniors affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Community Candidate for Chula Vista Mayor Zaneta Encarnacion is participating in this annual food drive which is hosted virtually this year to ensure everyone’s health and safety. The Chula Vista City Council approved $100,000 from the Biden Administration’s American Rescue Plan Fund for the San Diego Food Bank to partner with 35 different non-profits in Chula Vista.
These efforts aim to provide food security for local families. According to Encarnacion, $100,000 isn’t enough to meet our community’s needs.
The San Diego Hunger Coalition estimates there are 18,920 Chula Vista residents who are food insecure, and the Census reports over 25,000 Chula Vista residents who live below the poverty line.
“These statistics are heart-wrenching and unacceptable during normal circumstances, but could be downright catastrophic during the current pandemic and economic recovery,” Encarnacion wrote in a press release.
The Jacob and Cushman San Diego Food Bank reports feeding an estimated 600,000 people per month due to COVID-19's impact on the local economy. The food bank offers a variety of programs to assist vulnerable communities in need. A new Super Pantry Program was launched in July 2020 to meet the increased demand for food assistance to serve Food Bank clients quickly, safely, and efficiently.
According to the food bank, volunteers serve a vital role in providing these services year-round.
"Volunteers are the backbone of the Food Bank's operations. Without our volunteers, we cannot carry out our important work," the Jacob and Cushman San Diego Food Bank said in a statement.
The food bank distributes food to 200 distribution sites countywide as well as through 5000 nonprofits with feeding programs. Members of the public who wish to participate in the virtual drive may visit the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank webpage dedicated to the virtual drive.
