SAN DIEGO — Feeding San Diego is seeing a lot of people in need of food in all parts of the county. The organization is working to help families put food on the table this holiday season.
More than 300,000 people in San Diego County are experiencing food insecurity. This holiday season, the nonprofit says much of the need is coming from communities along the South Bay.
“It shouldn’t be like this that we have… it’s like every year we have more people that aren’t eating and stuff like that, it’s very sad. It’s sad," said one frustrated San Diegan, Linda Horiye.
This season of giving, many San Diegans are feeling the financial stress of the holidays.
Horiye is among the many who say they’re having to make adjustments.
“Every time I go into the store it’s like you get two or three items and it’s like a lot. Came out with $70 and there was hardly anything in there. There’s a lot of things we’re going to be cutting of off our menu just to keep it at a level that we can afford," she added.
CEO of Feeding San Diego, Robert Kamensky, says the need is still great in San Diego County.
“It has continued to climb to a point now that is above pandemic peak levels," said Kamensky.
Kamensky says the need is particularly high in the South Bay.
“It has traditionally been the highest and for this particular season, continues to be the highest," says Kamensky.
Kamensky says there are several reasons why so many families are struggling.
“The cost of living in San Diego is as reported, the highest in [the] country. Factor that with the amount of border activity that we have, and stagnant wage increase. And you’re just seeing a confluence of economic factors hitting our community at one time.”
The nonprofit is hosting three drive through food distributions across the county in the coming weeks to help families get through the holidays.
Each family will receive up to 40 pounds of food for the holiday season. Registration is required and space is limited.
The nonprofit is expected to serve up to 1,700 families alone in Chula Vista. More than 1,200 people have already signed up.
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