Fighting hunger in San Francisco

Hunger is not always synonymous with homelessness. Many hardworking men and women who have homes experience hunger when they must forego food in order to pay rent or bills.

In San Francisco, more than 150,000 people live with food insecurity – the condition that exists when people do not have the access, whether physical or economic, to safe and nutritious food that promotes a healthy and well-nourished life. Particularly at risk of food insecurity are children who make up over a quarter of all San Franciscans who go to bed hungry. Children also are more susceptible to the chronic health problems that usually accompany a malnourished diet, such as diabetes, chronic fatigue and asthma.

With the current recession deepening, people who have never been in need of food assistance in the past are now looking for help, and organizations such as the San Francisco Food Bank and the Haight Ashbury Food Pantry are reaching out to them.

The San Francisco Food Bank has been providing healthy food to San Franciscans for over 20 years. Located at 900 Pennsylvania Ave., the food bank collects donated food from grocers, growers, individuals and manufacturers and then distributes it to more than 133,000 people in need every day.

Recent food bank figures, however, suggest the number is rising. Compared to June of last year, food requests have increased by nearly 20 percent so the food bank is sending more food than ever to 192 pantries to meet the people’s needs. Renske van Staveren, the associate director of Policy and Media for the Food Bank, points out that the amount of people in need of assistance is not subsiding.

“(We) have certainly seen a large expansion in the demand for our services, especially recently,” van Staveren said.

As a result, the food bank is reaching out to many that may need food, but keep away due to the social stigma that many see accompanies food assistance programs. In a public outreach campaign that began last month, the food bank is attempting to reach those that are newly hungry and reluctant to ask for help. Four new distribution centers, styled more along the lines of farmers’ markets, will be set up along major transit lines in order to help those struggling in the current economy.

For information regarding the nearest food pantries and drop off locations, residents in San Francisco can dial 211 or visit www.sffoodbank.org. Volunteers at the food bank are always needed and those that give a helping hand will receive a free bag of groceries.

One drop off location is the Haight Ashbury Food Program, located at 1525 Waller St., which has provided food and referral services since 1983 to those in need.

The Pantry Program, which is now the main aspect of the food program due to budgetary restraints, is a weekly initiative, in which a farmers’ market-style distribution grants clients greater authority in selecting foods that will best fit their individual and family needs.

The pantry is open from noon to 2 p.m. every Saturday, excluding days when the following Monday is a holiday.

Programs like the Haight Ashbury Pantry Program are only in existence because of the generous monetary donations of supporters and neighbors. Donations, of any size, will go directly to providing food to someone in need. The program does not accept in kind donations, but is happy to connect you to an organization that will.

If supporters are unable to make donations to the program, but would still like to help out, volunteers are always needed. The pantry needs volunteers to set up the center, help in the food distribution and to clean up afterwards. For those interested in volunteering, contact Program Director Lotchana Sourivong at (415) 556-0366 or email info@thefoodprogram.org