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.