Holiday Fund 2005: Second Harvest helps feed Peninsula's hungry Holiday Fund 2005: Second Harvest helps feed Peninsula's hungry (December 14, 2005)

By Jane Knoerle

Almanac Staff Writer

The recent hurricanes opened our eyes to the level of poverty that exists in parts of our country. What many don't realize, however, is that hidden poverty also exists right here on the affluent Peninsula.

Because of the high cost of living in San Mateo County, more and more people are finding their income does not cover their monthly living expenses. Sometimes it's a choice between paying the rent or buying food.

That's where Second Harvest Food Bank steps in. Second Harvest collects and distributes food to charitable agencies in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Last year Second Harvest distributed 28 million pounds to 156,000 people each month through more than 700 agencies and distribution sites.

Sixty percent of those receiving food are families with children; 20 percent are seniors.

At this time of year food bank executives are worried about providing enough food for nutritious holiday meals. Just days before Thanksgiving, the food bank was down to 260 turkeys. Thanks to a flurry of last-minute contributions, the bank met its goal of 2,000 turkeys, but now those supplies are depleted.

"Everyday we're falling a little bit behind," says Second Harvest spokeswoman Lynn Crocker.

Tom Maples of San Mateo is one of many hundreds of volunteers at Second Harvest's San Carlos warehouse who unload food items gathered from barrels located in grocery stores, schools and businesses, then sort and box them for distribution.

He volunteers twice a week, arriving for one shift at 6:30 a.m. He has worked at the warehouse for eight years after spending 33 years as the head chef at Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City. "I retired at 10 a.m. and at 12 I showed up here," he says.

On the day the Almanac visited the warehouse, Dr. Jerri Hill, director of The Bread of Life in East Palo Alto, was "going shopping" for Sunday dinner for her clients. The Bread of Life soup kitchen serves 250 meals a day four days a week. Dr. Hill was happy to find some apple pies in the commercial-size frozen foods locker.

Was this food for Christmas dinner? No, as Ms. Crocker pointed out, "people are hungry every day."

Helping Dr. Hill carry food to her van were volunteers who chose to work at the warehouse in return for bags of food.

Canned tuna and meats, peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables, juices, and low-sugar cereal are among the foods most needed, but the food bank also tries to include items that complement an ethnic diet. For Asian families, there is rice and fish oil. The bags for Hispanic clients contain tortillas, rice and beans.

"We also try to include all the ingredients for a complete nutritious meal," says Ms. Crocker.

While food donations are much appreciated, cash donations are the most beneficial. "We can buy at cost. For every dollar donated, Second Harvest can distribute two nutritious meals to the community," says Ms. Crocker.
Gifts to the Almanac Holiday Fund help the Second Harvest Food Bank. The food bank accepts non-perishable packaged food and gifts by cash, check, or credit card. For information, call 1-866-234-3663 or go online to 2ndharvest.net.

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