“The food I receive helps me get by.”

Joann Medeiros is a retired San Francisco native on a fixed income. She is a volunteer and program participant at the Hosanna Celebration pantry in the Castro neighborhood of San Francisco. We met her at the pantry when she was working and she kindly shared her story with us. Volunteering is my way of giving [...]

Market to Table

“It’s great to know that my produce is not going to waste — even better that it is going to be enjoyed by somebody who wouldn’t have had access fresh fruit or vegetables otherwise.” – Bob Pizza, produce vendor at the San Francisco Wholesale Produce Market and donor to the Food Bank. Thanks to the Food Bank’s [...]

Spotlight: Supermarket Street Sweep

December 3rd was a beautiful Saturday afternoon at the Food Bank. We had a clear sky, the sun was shining, and a father and son arrived on a tandem bicycle…pulling four full shopping carts full of food to donate! Cargo race winners and tandem cyclists Eric Downing and his seven-year old son Cooper Sprocket Downing [...]

“I just keep on truckin’ and try to survive.”

Lucille is struggling with myriad health issues and is on frequent dialysis. She receives groceries each week through our home-delivered groceries program. I grew up in Wilson, LA and I moved out here to find a job in 1963. And I did get one. Fact is, I worked up until just two years ago. I [...]

“We’re really grateful.”

Rose Chang is 85. She lives at a senior citizens’ residence in the Tenderloin, and shared her story with us recently. I’ve lived here for 11 years, and I participate and volunteer at the pantry every week. There are usually five or six of us, and we really like to do the work. It gives [...]

How I Give: Diamonds at the Soles of My Shoes

James is a longtime supporter of the Food Bank. He’s also an avid runner, a hobby that led him to an unusual way of collecting money to support his favorite nonprofits. I live on Russian Hill, and I run about two miles every day. One morning, I slipped on some wet leaves. After that, I [...]

“I try to have peace.”

Caridad is fighting to overcome depression. She is a survivor of domestic violence, and lives on a monthly survivor’s benefit and $16 in Food Stamps. After my husband passed away, I don’t have anybody in my life. And I’m happy. I’m happy because I’m free. I’m happy and safe. Now, I try to have a [...]

“I’m blessed.”

Roscoe is 91 years old. Each month, he scrimps to cover his rent, health insurance and medicine on what he receives through Social Security and a small union pension. He visits a Food Bank pantry in Ingleside, where he shared his story with us: I came out to California in 1943 to work in the [...]

Stories that inspired us in 2010

This past year, the need for food was staggering. We constantly broke our all-time monthly record for the most food delivered to hungry families in San Francisco and Marin, distributing millions of pounds of food every month. How did we do it? With the help of amazing volunteers, donors and clients who constantly inspire us. [...]

Pudge is worth his weight in food for the hungry

People come up with all sorts of creative ways to collect food for the San Francisco Food Bank. Case in point, Valerie Lo, who invited friends (both human and canine) over for a party. The goal? To match twice the weight of her bulldog, Pudge, in donated food. Luckily, Pudge is – well – pudgy. [...]