Second Harvest Food Bank

Second Harvest Food Bank is a non-profit agency that collects and distributes nutritious, high-quality food to help feed people who cannot afford to buy groceries. Low-income people of all ages are welcome, regardless of immigration status. Every food recipient is treated with dignity and respect.

Due to the prohibitively expensive cost of living in Silicon Valley and the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Second Harvest is now serving an average of 400,000 people every month, a 60% increase over pre-pandemic levels.

Following are programs which serve as vehicles for feeding people.

Partners in Need provides food assistance to low-income Food Bank volunteers. Call 1-800-984-FOOD (3663) for information about registration times and locations. Photo identification and proof of household income is requested to register.

Food Assistance Program provides a variety of grocery items to hundreds of non-profit agencies in Santa Clara and San Mateo county neighborhoods. These hot meal programs, emergency food pantries and shelters serve a culturally diverse clientele of individuals, families with children and seniors. Call 1-800-984-FOOD (3663) for a referral to food resources near you.

Operation Brown Bag is a self-help program that gives low-income seniors a weekly bag of groceries. Seniors must be 60 and older or 55 and disabled. For locations and how to register, call 1-800-984-FOOD (3663). (You may also volunteer for Operation Brown Bag.)

Family Harvest provides monthly groceries to low-income families with minor dependent children. For locations and how to register, call 1-800-984-FOOD (3663). (You may also volunteer for Family Harvest in Santa Clara County or San Mateo County.)

Put healthy food on the table
CalFresh EBT cards can be used to buy groceries and fresh produce at participating stores and farmers’ markets.

Apply for CalFresh
Call our food connection hotline: 1-800-984-3663
We can answer your questions and help you apply.

Who’s eligible?
Citizens and most legal residents with low incomes are eligible. Undocumented immigrants are usually not eligible, but can apply for their children who are legal residents or U.S. citizens.