Please help. Please don't think it can be left to others to help. You have the ability to make a huge difference in people's lives.
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley is now providing food assistance to an average of 500,000 people every month – twice as many people as it served pre-pandemic.
Since the pandemic started, the food bank’s expenses have doubled as it has had to provide double the amount of food to double the number of people.
Second Harvest launched its largest fundraising campaign ever to help cover increase in operational costs related to the pandemic.
Financial donations and volunteers are needed to sustain emergency response efforts expected to continue at least another 12-18 months. Volunteers are provided PPEs and given letters for travel to and from their volunteer offerings. The highest level of precautions against Covid are being followed.
Second Harvest is not distributing food collection barrels or accepting community food
donations this holiday season due to safety concerns and high levels of demand.
Low wage, hourly workers already struggling to make ends meet before the pandemic have been disproportionately impacted by economic crisis. Many people receiving food assistance during pandemic indicate it’s the first time they've received help.
Individuals, corporations and organizations can help by donating money and by
volunteering. For more information, visit shfb.org or call 1-866-234-3663.
To help cover increased expenses and to sustain emergency response efforts related to the pandemic, Second Harvest has launched its largest holiday fundraising campaign ever with the goal of raising $30 million dollars by January.
Since the pandemic started, the food bank’s expenses have doubled as it has had to provide double the amount of food to double the number of people. The financial and operational strain of responding to the incredible increase in need has been further impacted by a 70 percent decrease in the federal government’s contribution of pre-boxed food via the USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Additionally, Second Harvest is experiencing shortages in its vital volunteer workforce, which prior to the pandemic provided over a quarter million hours of labor a year. Despite these challenges, Second Harvest has remained focused on its mission to lead the community to ensure that anyone who needs a healthy meal can get one.
While you're at it: please support the Palo Alto Weekly, Menlo Park Almanac, Mt. View Voice, Pleasanton Weekly, or the Danville San Ramon as well.
Thank you.
