The San Francisco-Marin Food Bank provides essential support to nearly 50,000 households each week, addressing food insecurity across the region.
At the heart of the effort are dedicated volunteers like Jenny Stewart, who leads food delivery services twice a week with her team from the Pomeroy Center, an organization that serves people with disabilities.
Stewart, who has been volunteering for several years, says the work brings joy to her group.
“Serving others just feels good,” she said.
Part of Stewart’s job is gathering her team before each delivery.
“Alright, everyone ready? Here we go!” She said enthusiastically as they prepared for more work.
The team’s usual routes traverse various neighborhoods across the city, where they have become familiar faces in the communities they serve.
“We deliver to our favorite building on Shotwell. We love everyone there,” Stewart noted.
According to the San Francisco Marin Food Bank, 66% of recipients of food bags – which contain mostly fresh produce – are seniors. Another 41% of recipients live with someone with a disability. This makes every delivery especially important, Stewart said.
The voluntary deliveries also provide the team with a deep sense of purpose. Stewart explained how the work is organized, with each volunteer assigned specific buildings and tasks.
“We have 503, which is what you will do, and 501, which is what FeFe will do,” she said, coordinating with precision.
For many recipients, the food is a lifeline, especially in light of higher food prices that have persisted since the pandemic. Allie Cunningham, building manager at one of the participating locations, spoke about the crucial role deliveries play, especially during the holiday season.
“Many people do not have large families and are therefore dependent on the meals that come in during the week. During the holidays, something as small as some vegetables to make a soup or a small comfort food goes a long way. with the seniors in this building ,” Cunningham explained.
Stewart emphasized the profound impact of these deliveries, noting how volunteers find it personally rewarding to provide food that is not only free but also nutritious.
“To give them a 40-pound bag of free food that is healthy? It’s very rewarding. We love it,” she said.
The San Francisco-Marin Food Bank continues to distribute millions of pounds of food each year, helping thousands of individuals and families access the nutrition they need. With dedicated volunteers like Stewart and her team, the organization’s mission to fight hunger remains strong, one pocket at a time.
