‘Need is just as high’: Food running short

Groups struggle to help communities in need as donations drop

The economy and job creation are bouncing back in the wake of the pandemic, but the Bay Area’s need for food is as high as ever, as soaring inflation and gas prices put pressure on people’s budgets — and also strain the food banks themselves, some of which are experiencing a dropoff in donations.

After seeing unprecendented demand during the first two years of the pandemic, Bay Area food banks are still struggling with a heavy need from low-income residents and those who are out of work. That’s despite COVID case and death rates falling and many businesses reopening and rehiring workers.

“Today, it feels like the need is just as high” compared to the worst periods of the pandemic, said Regi Young, executive director of Alameda County Community Food Bank. “It doesn’t feel like it’s getting any better.”

The Oakland organization estimates one in four Alameda County residents are now experiencing food insecurity, up from one in five before

the pandemic.

“So many families and individuals, even if they might be back at work, (are) still really struggling,” said Leslie Bacho, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank, which operates

throughout Silicon Valley. “Our community’s so fragile right now.”

In September, Second Harvest served 460,000 people, 80% more than pre-pandemic levels.

Second Harvest and the Alameda County Community Food Bank are among the Bay Area food banks that have received funding from The Chronicle Season of Sharing Fund, which has funneled $28 million to these organizations since 1986.

During the 2021-22 fundraising campaign, the Season of Sharing Fund distributed nearly $2.4 million to Bay Area food banks, enough to fund more than 5 million meals. Around 15% of the funds the Season of Sharing Fund raises goes to food banks across the Bay Area’s nine counties.

The fund will continue to support food banks this year as rising costs have added a new hurdle.

Nationally, the inflation rate was 8.2% in September compared to the prior year, and food prices were up 11.2%. California gas prices were near record highs over the summer. Many pandemic benefits such as federal unemployment assistance and eviction moratoriums have expired, further straining residents.

Second Harvest buys around a quarter of its food — the rest is donated — and has seen big price increases on staples like milk, eggs and chicken. As a result, it’s now delivering a half-gallon of milk per household each week, instead of a gallon. It’s also no longer buying more expensive items like peanut butter, though it still receives donations.

The high cost of gas also hurts food banks, which must transport food both into warehouses and out to partners.

Despite low unemployment at just over 2% around the Bay Area, many workers are struggling due to rising costs and the expense of living in the Bay Area, said Bacho.

The group conducted a survey over the summer that found that 93% of clients were buying less food this year and 73% were worried about paying rent or mortgages. Many families’ savings have been wiped out, with 60% of clients saying they had less than $250 in savings.

Bacho said support from the Season of Sharing Fund provides a “steady source of reliable revenue” that helps the organization meet its mission. Second Harvest works with hundreds of nonprofits, schools, affordable housing providers and others to deliver food.

Young said he appreciated the Season of Sharing Fund, both financially and as a way to make the community more aware of how prevalent food insecurity is.

Alameda County Community Food Bank has also had to shift the food items it’s buying, focusing on lower-cost items that can be purchased in higher quantities.

The organization is now spending as much as six times more per month on food compared to before the pandemic, or up to $1.5 million a month.

Unlike for-profit businesses, which can pass on higher expenses by raising prices for consumers, food banks don’t charge their clients, forcing them to re-prioritize what goods to buy. Philanthropy has also dropped somewhat compared to last year, Young said.

During the holidays, the organization sends meals with chicken, potatoes, beans and rice to clients. Costs are now up more than 50% for those meals compared to last year.

“We’ve seen a dramatic increase in cost,” Young said.

Photos by Jessica Christian/The Chronicle Miguel Sanchez (left) helps haul pallets at Alameda County Food Bank in Oakland. The charity estimates that 1 in 4 Alameda County residents is experiencing food insecurity, up from 1 in 5 before the pandemic.

Tsega Mengistu (left) and Carolyn Houston organize onions at the food bank, which is aided by The Chronicle’s Season of Sharing Fund.

Jessica Christian/The Chronicle Workers move vegetable pallets through the warehouse at the Alameda County Food Bank, which has had to shift the food items it buys, focusing on lower-cost items that can be purchased in higher quantities.