There’s a lot going on at Bay Area food banks during the holidays.
First, the need is greater across the board, said Caitlin Sly, CEO of the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.
“We normally see a 20% increase in the number of people using our services during the holidays,” she says.
Second, in the case of her food bank, half of the private support they receive comes in during the months of November and December, which sets the tone for the following year.
“It is a critical time. It’s really a time when food banks across the Bay Area can pull through,” she said.
This year more than ever before. The need is greater, but food bank leaders say federal support and community donations have declined.
Earlier this holiday season, the heads of the five food banks in the region came together for the first time to collectively sound the alarm.
“Right now we’re in a situation where we have to do a lot more with a lot less resources,” said Regi Young, executive director of the Alameda County Community Food Bank.
“This is an issue that deserves the attention of our elected leaders. This is a call to action and a call to care. Every hour and every dollar – it makes a difference,” said Tanis Crosby, executive director of the San Francisco -Marin Food Bank.
Sly said food insecurity affects more people than meets the eye. The Contra Costa and Solano Food Bank provides 2.7 million meals every month.
“We serve a lot of older adults on fixed incomes, and with the cost of living rising, they can’t keep up,” Sly said. “A lot of working families who just don’t earn enough to make ends meet. A lot of children.”
She said her food bank has a goal they hope to achieve by the end of the year.
“Our goal is to raise enough money for 3 million meals by the end of the year. We’re about halfway there,” she said. “But we are about $1 million behind last year’s level.”
