SAN DIEGO/NORTH COUNTY FOOD BANK

The San Diego Food Bank and its North County Food Bank chapter comprise the largest hunger-relief organization in San Diego County. Last year, the Food Bank distributed 44 million pounds of food, and the Food Bank serves 400,000 people per month countywide.

By partnering with more than 500 nonprofit partners with feeding programs, the Food Bank provides nutritious food to individuals and families in need. This includes working-poor families, low-income military families, children living in poverty, fixedincome seniors and the unemployed.

The Food Bank has a variety of programs to help provide a safety net for all who may be experiencing food insecurity, including their Food 4 Kids Backpack Program. This program provides weekend food packages to more than 3,000 elementary school students from low- income households every month who are at risk of hunger over the weekend when free school meals are unavailable. Each bag contains enough food to see the students through the weekend.

In addition to addressing hunger, the Food Bank is also a registered Diaper Bank through the National Diaper Bank Network to address diaper insecurity. The Food Bank’s Diaper Bank Program provides emergency diapers to working-poor parents. Last year, the Food Bank distributed 7.6 million diapers countywide through a network of 81 partners. By providing diapers to families in need, they are helping parents stay in work to provide for their children.

If you are interested in supporting the Food Bank and its programs, please visit SanDiegoFoodBank.org for ways to get involved and help feed hope in the San Diego community.

Operation Hope North County

Founded in 2003, Operation HOPE-North County (OHNC) aims to offer a safe, caring, and supportive environment to families with children and single women experiencing homelessness as they rebuild their lives and reclaim independence. Rising housing costs and inflation continue to have a significant impact on low-income families and those on the verge of homelessness, an issue that is continuing to grow in our region. Last fiscal year OHNC provided shelter to 188 individuals and 62% of that population were children. Nearly 20% of the population served last year at the shelter were Oceanside residents

In response to the many needs in the community, OHNC established aftercare services to assist shelter graduates and the community at-large. Their Pantry of HOPE program was created for graduates to ensure the sustainability of housing security to avoid reentry into homelessness by allowing them to come on a weekly basis to access fresh produce, proteins, dry goods, dairy, toiletries, hygiene products, and infant and toddler related supplies as well as case management and resources. This program has grown by nearly 400% since opening. OHNC also operates the New Beginnings Boutique. This unique space allows for families in the shelter, graduate families, and community members to have access to clothing and household items. The boutique creates a space for our clients to “shop” with dignity at no charge to clients.

As OHNC celebrates 20 years of service to the community, this year they are hosting their First Annual Swing Into Hope Golf Tournament in March. In partnership with North Coast Church’s Serve Your City Project they will be hosting a ribbon cutting event in June to celebrate their renovated shelter building. OHNC will also be hosting a ribbon cutting event in August for their renovated pantry and boutique spaces. In September, they will be hosting their 20 Year Anniversary Gala.

Learn more about Operation HOPE-North County by visiting operationhopeshelter.org.