COMMUNITY FOOD DONATIONS
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Wasted food is the #3 contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, mostly methane. Really.
But it doesn't need to be that way!
See our Food & Food Waste page for ways you can help the planet and save money by buying only what you'll eat.
​DONATIONS:
There's often a lot of leftover food after the holidays. Fortunately, it doesn't need to go to waste. Organizations like Extra Food, serving Marin and Sonoma counties, pick up extra food from markets and restaurants and deliver food that would otherwise be thrown out to organizations that feed hungry people.​
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Here are organizations around the Bay whose mission is to feed people. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it's a place to start. Also, see the "Notes on Donations" at the bottom of this page.
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Money: money makes the biggest impact because food banks can buy more efficiently and directly, making the dollars go further.
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Food: people are specifically in need of high-quality proteins, such as peanut butter or canned meats; low-sodium and low-sugar canned fruits and vegetables; and "culturally appropriate foods" to serve diverse local community members.
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Time: every organization listed will welcome your volunteer time.
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Where Homeless People Can Get Free Meals in the Bay Area, courtesy of KQED
​​​South Bay
Second Harvest of Santa Clara and San Mateo
Donate food at the warehouse or distribution center or host a food drive. You can also donate online.
Volunteer: Check the online calendar to volunteer for a food sorting or distribution shift
Martha's Kitchen in San Jose
Donate online or Volunteer: Volunteers are needed in the kitchen program
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East Bay
Alameda County Community Food Bank
provides food for over 200 agencies around the East Bay through its distribution network. It also operates an emergency food hotline, CalFresh Outreach, and educational programs. Check their website to find food drive locations or food donation options. You can also run a virtual food drive or donate money. Volunteer: Check on their website for volunteer opportunities.
Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano
delivers food both directly to people in need and to partner nonprofit agencies, which help distribute the donations.
Food donations can be accepted at both the Concord and Fairfield warehouses, which are particularly looking for fresh fruits and vegetables. Use their interactive map to find a local community food drive. You can also donate online or start a Buy a Bag fundraiser.
Volunteer: Visit their website to find volunteer opportunities based on needs and location.
Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa County
provides meals to the hungry of Contra Costa County. They have five dining rooms that operate daily for lunch during the week and a food pantry for evenings and weekends.
Donate: Check online for needed donations and their website for information on how to volunteer Monday through Friday.​
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North Bay
You can drop off food donations at any of the locations listed in Marin or San Francisco, host your own food drive, or sign up on their website to volunteer in either Marin or San Francisco.
St. Vincent's of Marin County all donations to Marin stay in Marin. The chapter provides a number of programs, such as a free dining room that serves daily meals and housing assistance. You can donate online or drop off donations at the San Rafael kitchen. Check their food and donation wish list to see what's needed. You can also sponsor a person in need. Check online to see what volunteer positions are needed and to sign up for a shift.
Community Action of Napa Valley
operates a food bank for the region. It provides seven pantry locations, as well as running distribution programs to seniors and low-income Napa residents. Donate online via their website. Contact the food bank director to volunteer to pick up food, help sort or work in the pantry.
The Redwood Empire Food Bank distributes nearly 15 million pounds of food to Sonoma County residents annually through its pantry, emergency food program, grocery boxes to seniors and meals for kids.
Donate online, drop off food at the food bank on weekdays or check online for other drop-off locations. Sign up online for volunteer shifts.​​
San Francisco
SF-Marin Food Bank
distributes enough food for more than 100,000 meals every day. During this time of year, the organization collects nearly half of its annual operating budget through donations and gathers thousands of pounds of non-perishable food.
You can drop off food donations at any of the locations listed in Marin or San Francisco, host your own food drive, or sign up on their website to volunteer in either Marin or San Francisco.
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St. Anthony's Dining Room
serves 2,400 meals every day of the year, provides a number of programs, including medical assistance and a free clothing program.
Food can be dropped off during weekdays. There are also ongoing donations needed. Volunteer positions are available in the dining room and free clothing clinic, with a heavy demand around the holidays. They're also in need of highly skilled volunteers in the technology lab and medical clinic.
Glide Memorial Church
a number of programs, a daily meal program that serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner (as well as special holiday meals).
Donate on their website.
Volunteer: Serve meals or help prep the daily free meal program, and more volunteers are needed long-term.
serves tasty vegan meals every Tuesday in both San Francisco and Kathmandu.
Donations can be made online, Sign up to volunteer online, join Food Runners to up excess food from businesses and deliver to local food banks and charity programs. Become a regular or an on-call runner. If you're a business, you can donate excess food with their online form or app. Monetary donations are also accepted.
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NOTES ON DONATIONS:​
20 things you probably don’t know:
If you are planning on helping families at a food bank this season,
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1. Everyone donates Kraft Mac and Cheese in the box. They can rarely use it because it needs milk and butter which is hard to get from regular food banks.
2. Boxed milk is a treasure, as kids need it for cereal which they also get a lot of.
3. Everyone donates pasta sauce and spaghetti noodles.
4. They cannot eat all the awesome canned veggies and soup unless you put a can opener in too or buy pop tops.
5. Oil is a luxury but needed for Rice a-Roni which they also get a lot of.
6. Spices or salt and pepper would be a real holiday gift.
7. Tea bags and coffee make them feel like you care.
8. Sugar and flour are treats.
9. People love and need fresh produce, donated by farmers and grocery stores.
10. Seeds are cool in Spring and Summer because growing can be easy for some.
11. They rarely get fresh meat.
12. Tuna and crackers make a good lunch.
13. Hamburger Helper goes nowhere without ground beef.
14. They get lots of peanut butter and jelly but usually not sandwich bread.
15. Butter or margarine is nice too.
16. Eggs are a real commodity.
17. Cake mix and frosting makes it possible to make a child’s birthday cake.
18. Dishwashing detergent is very expensive and is always appreciated.
19. Feminine hygiene products are a luxury.
20. Everyone loves Stove Top Stuffing.
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