If the cost of living is taking its toll and you’re struggling to get enough food, take a look at the following 10 top food banks in San Francisco, CA.
1. San Francisco City Impact
If you are hungry, go to the San Francisco City Impact Rescue Mission. This charity began more than 30 years ago with Roger Huang and his wife handing out sandwiches. Since then, their efforts have seen expanded to include a soup kitchen that serves three meals per day, a delivery service of hot meals and groceries for the elderly and disabled, and a food pantry. The pantry is open daily to distribute emergency food rations but also provides a weekly box of perishable and non-perishable for those who need more assistance.
You can donate or volunteer to get involved with this labor of love. Contact information is available on their website.
2. Saint Agnes Community Food Pantry
Saint Agnes Catholic Church’s roots go back to 1893 when it was started by Archbishop Riordan of Ireland. Today, it continues the work begun by its original Irish pastors and their American parishioners, including reaching out to the hungry in the San Francisco area. Their pantry is open one day each week to hand out pre-packaged snack bags and grocery bags to anyone in need.
If you would like to volunteer or donate to this worthwhile outreach program, please visit their website. Address any questions to a member of church staff from their contact list.
3. SF-Marin Food Bank
Since it was created by volunteers in 1987, the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank has been instrumental in meeting the nutritional needs of thousands of families in their area. In addition to the numerous mobile pantries they’ve created and delivery service they offer to the homebound, this food bank supports hundreds of other free food outlets in San Francisco and Marin. Acting as a warehouse that purchases in bulk and reclaims from local food services, they can supply much-needed food items to many who might otherwise go without.
Anyone interested in getting involved or wanting to donate can do so on their website. Reach out to someone on their contact list to learn more.
4. Salvation Army – Chinatown
Since 1880, the Salvation Army in America has been dedicated to taking care of the downtrodden in their community. The Salvation Army – Chinatown in San Francisco continues that proud tradition today by feeding the hungry among them. In addition to hot meals they serve in their soup kitchen, they prepare to-go meals to serve from pop-up locations.
Donations and volunteers can find more information on doing so online. Contact a member of staff for all other inquiries.
5. Mission Food Hub
What began in the summer of 2020 as a volunteer founded outreach to help those in San Francisco affected by the pandemic has grown considerably in the two years since then. This food pantry is open three days per week to provide a pre-packed box of groceries that include dry goods, canned foods, dairy, fresh produce, and frozen meat in substantial quantities. Delivery can be made to those who are not able to reach the pantry.
You can volunteer to lend a hand or donate to the cause. Any other information can be found on their website or by contacting someone at the pantry.
6. Lima Center
If you are experiencing food insecurity in San Francisco, you can turn to the Lima Center for help. This soup kitchen is an outreach of St. Dominic’s Catholic Church. Founded by Dominican missionaries in 1850, the church is a well-established source of humanity in their community. Those in need of help can visit the center for a hot breakfast four days per week and a hot lunch two days per week. To-go bags of non-cooked meals, snacks, and a drink are also available on the same days.
Volunteer or donate to help the church keep up the good work they do in their community. You can get in touch with a member of the church for more information.
7. Glide Memorial Food Bank
There is no need to go hungry in San Francisco. The Glide Memorial Food Bank, founded by volunteers more than 50 years ago, provides three meals per day, including meals to go, to anyone who finds themselves experiencing food poverty. This no-questions-asked food bank provides food for anyone who enters their doors. In addition to the meals they provide, their food pantry is open two days per week to distribute bags of groceries to those in need.
Want to help? You can volunteer or donate to the food bank. Any questions can be asked by speaking with someone on their contact page.
8. The Richmond Neighborhood Center
In 1980, the residents of the Richmond neighborhood in San Francisco came together to accomplish the mission of saving an endangered school, thus forming The Richmond Neighborhood Center. Since then, they have expanded their reach to fight the hunger many of their residents face due to the high cost of living in their area. One day per week, their volunteers distribute perishable and non-perishable food items at local schools to families in need of supplemental nutrition for their homes.
You can join the fight by volunteering or donating. Learn more about their programs by visiting their webpage for contact information.
9. Food Runners
As the founder of a cooking school, Mary Risley was well acquainted with how much food can go to waste. In 1987, she decided to do something about it, starting Food Runners, a charity dedicated to reclaiming food waste from food-related industries across San Francisco and delivering it to food banks, food pantries, and soup kitchens across the city for distribution to those suffering from food poverty. Her efforts help feed thousands every year.
You can volunteer or donate to help Mary continue her humanitarian work or get in touch to learn more about how you can help.
10. YMCA Food Pantry
The YMCA first opened its doors in America in 1851. Since then, they have expanded across the country, providing the less privileged with a host of services. In San Francisco, the YMCA provides supplemental food items to hungry families from mobile pantries set up 1 or 2 days per week at six separate locations. Working with the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, they help distribute the nutritional items those affected by food poverty need to survive.
If you would like to give through donations or volunteering, you can do so on their website. A member of staff will be happy to answer any questions if you get in contact.
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