In the spirit of giving thanks and holiday kindness, supporting your community is always important. The Bay Area is home to a range of food banks to give money to and volunteer with by passing out food, arranging meals, and delivering food supplies. While donations are easier to manage, food banks rely on volunteers to continue their essential public service. Volunteering can entail grocery shopping, packing and preparing meals, delivering food, and other similar work. This holiday season, find ways to support your local food banks with this helpful guide.
The SF-Marin Food Bank has worked since 1987 to reduce food insecurity and support struggling families against the tide of worsening, community-wide hunger. Teen volunteers can work at food pantries and warehouse locations across San Francisco and Marin, providing convenient and community-based opportunities and aid. For volunteers ages 18 and over, working on the shop floor and as a delivery driver are potential positions, clocking in at about three hours per shift. The shop floor requires a six-month commitment, while all other positions can be signed up for shift-by-shift. They accept food donations from manufacturers, grocery stores, community food drives, and other members of the food industry. More information is available on their website and from their mailing list.
North Marin Community Services
Expanding beyond the basics of food aid, the North Marin Community Services provides tutoring and “Peer Health Promoters” for families in need. Their food services work in partnership with the SF-Marin Food Bank, but they offer many other essential services to their community, providing help with food, childcare, money, education, and healthcare. Contact Vanshika Nachnani at [email protected], or find their website for more information on volunteer opportunities.
Extra Food helps end community hunger specifically by minimizing food waste, with the slogan “Hunger. Wasted Food. Climate Change. You can help us fight all three.” This program differentiates itself by focusing on existing resources, therefore minimizing waste and maximizing aid. Volunteers can help by delivering food and must commit to doing so two times per month. An adult must accompany teens to participate in any volunteering. Additionally, schools and businesses can sign up to be food donors. You can sign up on their website or reach out to [email protected] for more information.
San Geronimo Valley Community Center
The San Geronimo Valley Community Center hosts weekly food pantries on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Thursdays, they run a drive-through food bank which lasts from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteering opportunities are available on both days. The center welcomes monetary donations and organizes several other programs that are open to volunteers, including a Thanksgiving food drive. You can learn more about them on their website or by contacting [email protected].
