For Immediate Release
February 4, 2021
Contact: Cristina Valdivia Aguilar, cristina.valdivia@cv.ca.gov, (916) 508-9018
Service Members Deployed Throughout San Francisco to Support Food Banks as Part of Operation Feed California
SACRAMENTO – Today, California Volunteers, Office of the Governor and AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps announced a new deployment of five members to the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank as part of Operation Feed California, to keep Californians fed during the pandemic. The members will be deployed to four different locations across San Francisco, including in the Dogpatch, Bayview, and Chinatown neighborhoods, as well as the Cow Palace.
AmeriCorps NCCC members arrived at the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank warehouse early Wednesday morning to begin packing meals for homebound seniors in the area. The NCCC members will be assisting the food bank and distribution sites through at least March 2nd.
“This additional deployment of NCCC members is a continued investment from Governor Newsom’s Operation Feed California initiative to keep vulnerable Californians fed,” said Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. “We’re thankful to be able to partner with AmeriCorps to ensure that food banks have the volunteer support they need to continue their essential services.”
“The San Francisco-Marin Food Bank is now serving nearly twice as many families as we were pre-pandemic. To do that, it takes 2,000 volunteers a week – nearly twice as many community volunteers as we needed pre-pandemic,” said Katy McKnight, Director of Community Engagement at the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank. “The continued support and partnership of California Volunteers and Operation Feed California has been instrumental in helping us meet the ongoing level of need.”
The San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, like many other food banks across the state, has experienced increased demand while suffering volunteer shortages. Operation Feed California is an unprecedented collaboration between nonprofits, state agencies and individuals to support food banks and help meet volunteer needs.
Since the launch of Operation Feed California, the initiative has delivered over 550 million meals statewide and filled over 157,000 volunteer shifts. However, food banks still need volunteer support. Californians who are interested in supporting their local food banks can learn more about how to volunteer safely and sign up to be a #CaliforniansForAll member at Californiansforall.ca.gov
For more information about the AmeriCorps NCCC program, visit their website at AmeriCorps.gov/nccc. For photos and videos of the AmeriCorps NCCC deployment, visit this dropbox link.
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California Volunteers, Office of the Governor is tasked with empowering Californians to take action to improve their communities.