One in 3 children and 1 in 4 adults are food insecure in San Diego County, according to the Community Resource Center (CRC). “Each number represents one human, human souls that we want to care for,” says Debbie King, the senior director for donor relations. Meanwhile, the Fallbrook Food Pantry saw a 56% increase in clients in 2003; 32% of these clients were children.
Alex Pelayo, the director of the North County San Diego Food Bank, notes how access to food centers is more complicated in the North County than the rest of San Diego, and there is less of a spotlight on this region. “We’re working to change that,” he says.
The San Diego Food Bank
Founded in 1977, the largest food distribution warehouse, the 70,000-square foot San Diego Food Bank in Vista, serves the entire county through some 540 partners, including about 85 nonprofits in the North County. It is the 4th-largest independent food bank in the country.
The Food for Kids (“Backpack Program”), On-the-Go school-based program, and College Hunger Relief program are all based there, and food is sorted by trained volunteers. The Food Bank works with 19 school districts, 67 schools, or about 3,700 students across San Diego County.
The site also hosts a food pantry, where 3,100 households shop every month, a number that has grown from 1,000 just two years ago.
Holistic Approach
CRC started out of the back of a pickup truck in downtown Encinitas in 1979. Today, it offers a holistic approach. Says Debbie, “food insecurity is often the leading indicator of other things,” including housing instability, often the result of domestic violence. CRC directs clients to food and housing assistance, benefits enrollment, and case management.
Last July, CRC was designated as a trauma recovery center, one of 19 in the state and 55 in the country. Victims of violence or members of refugee or immigrant groups can access professional behavioral health workers. One of the signature programs is transitional housing in an undisclosed location.
CRC is opening a new office in Carlsbad to consolidate other locations and has raised money to rebuild the current property in Encinitas.
Food service organizations also offer personal hygiene products, and both CRC and the San Diego Food Bank include diapers and period products.
CRC and the Fallbrook Food Pantry accept donations of pet food. “Many of our clients have their friends, and they’re four-legged and they are well loved,” says Debbie King.
How to Help
Donate, volunteer, or organize virtual or live food drives.
San Diego Food Bank: 3030 Enterprise Ct., Vista; https://www.sandiegofoodbank.org/
CRC: 650 2nd St., Encinitas; (760) 753-1156; (760) 753-1156
Fallbrook Food Pantry: 140 N. Brandon Rd., Fallbrook; (760) 728-7608; https://www.fallbrookfoodpantry.org/
