United Way of the Bay Area Blog
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As the nation’s housing and job markets show encouraging signs of recovery, there are still far too many families who are on the brink of becoming homeless or have fallen into our shelter system.”
– Shaun Donovan, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
From the USA Today article, “Families in homeless shelters increased 7% in ’09“
Communities throughout the Bay Area will begin free summer meal programs for children this month, serving meals on weekdays throughout the summer at summer-school and community sites. All children 18 years old and younger are eligible, regardless of their families’ income.
Families are encouraged to dial 2-1-1 for free meal information in more than 150 languages. Residents who can’t dial 2-1-1 should call 800-273-6222.
NOTE: Because of funding cuts, many school districts and community organizations that have previously served summer meals have curtailed or eliminated summer meal service this year. Families are encouraged to call 2-1-1 to obtain the most up-to-date information about meal locations, serving times and dates. 2-1-1 can also provide referrals to food pantries and other resources if there is no summer-meal program nearby.
Many families whose children are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches during the school year are not aware that they can also get free, nutritious lunches during the summer. For instance, in recent years, only 30% of eligible children took advantage of free summer meals in San Francisco.
WHERE:
Meals are served at schools and community sites in many Bay Area school districts, including Antioch, Bay Point, Brentwood, Concord, El Cerrito, El Sobrante, Pinole, Pittsburg, Richmond, Rodeo, San Francisco, San Pablo, San Rafael, and Vallejo, just to name a few. Most meal sites are located at or near schools that have 50% or more students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches.
Photo courtesy of ansik via Creative Commons license.
Last year, 2-1-1 helped 15,791 Bay Area residents connect with food assistance programs. That represents an 88% jump in requests for food assistance from the previous year. Here is one caller’s story:
Ms. Williams, a 72 year old senior living on Social Security and a widow’s pension called 2-1-1 needing assistance with food. The limited income she receives barely covers her monthly expenses.
2-1-1 specialist Daphne explained to Ms. Williams how to get on the waiting list for the senior supplemental food program. She also provided a phone number for a neighborhood food pantry and information about SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamps).
A few days later, Daphne followed up with Ms. Williams, who said she was so happy with all of the wonderful food she had gotten. She listed everything she had, as she took each item out of her bag: 3 onions, 4 potatoes, 4 bananas, 1 orange, brown rice, black beans, 3 artichokes, raspberries, lettuce for salad, carrots, purple cabbage, and chicken breast.
Ms. Williams said she had never expected to get fresh food and was so grateful for what she had received. She also asked if she could go back to the pantry again, and Daphne assured her that she could be helped weekly, as needed.
If you or someone you know is hungry, 2-1-1 can direct you to one of the many food assistance programs that serve the Bay Area. Call specialists are available 24 hours a day, and can also help callers access other programs that offer low-income families discounts on automobile insurance, utility bills, phone service and public transportation.
Photo courtesy of D. Sharon Pruitt via Creative Commons license.
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