*This is a special feature from the City of San Jose, Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services 
There are many ways you can make a difference for families struggling with food insecurity this holiday season. With the Winter Holidays beginning next week and through the New Year, our #SiliconValleyStrongHeroes are making a difference in vulnerable residents’ lives by providing food and groceries over the winter holiday.

Over the past year, food prices have increased 5.3 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. During this time, non-profit community partners, food delivery companies, faith-based, and community-based organizations are working hard to ensure families in need don’t go hungry.

In 2020, estimates indicate 45 million people, or 1 in 7, experienced food insecurity as the pandemic forced tens of millions to feel the effects from unemployment or a significant reduction in work hours, according to an analysis by Feeding America.

In 2022, our #SiliconValleyStrongHeroes continue to fill the critical need of getting food and essential resources to the community this holiday season.

Volunteer “Heroes” from the community help their neighbors in difficult times.

The holiday season can bring added stress and worries to families. However, with the efforts of these community organizations, those looking for meals and groceries can find the assistance they need.

Thank you to this week’s #SiliconValleyStrongHeroes, the volunteers and members of local community organizations, for their continuous efforts in providing essential resources to children and families in San José.

San Jose’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) is providing information on community organizations providing meals and groceries beginning Monday, December 19 through Monday, January 2 through the Day-by-Day Tracker. To find the daily food tracker, visit bit.ly/3m4mCOF.

The information has been provided by each organization this week. However, we strongly encourage you to check in advance with any site for current days and hours of food distribution as information may have changed or updated by the food-providing agency. 

You can also find information here:

TO GET FOOD:

• Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
  
  • Call 1-800-984-3663
  • Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Our staff speaks English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Mandarin and Tagalog. Three-way interpretation is available for other languages.
  • Text ‘FOOD’ to 876-876
  • Get Food - Second Harvest (shfb.org)
• Afterhours - Call 211. It’s free, confidential, and available 24/7 in multiple languages. Operated by United Way Bay Area.
• Feeding America - feedingamerica.org for additional information.

The 2022 Winter Food Distribution Information.

For more information on how you can find food resources in your neighborhood and to access the Day-By-Day food distribution tracker, visit bit.ly/3m4mCOF