More than 19,000 Families Have Received Food To Date
The San Mateo County Community College District Emergency Food Distribution has added a second location at Skyline College to its weekly services. The program launched on Wednesday, September 2.
The CSM food distribution has served more than 19,000 families since it began on April 3. With Second Harvest locations in the Bay Area running at full capacity, there was a need for additional locations. Skyline College’s SparkPoint Center partnered with Second Harvest to establish the new program.
The weekly Emergency Food Distribution Schedule is now:
Skyline College
Wednesdays, 11am – 1pm
Enter campus via Skyline Drive
College of San Mateo
Fridays, 11am – 1pm
Enter campus via West Hillsdale Blvd
The SMCCCD District Emergency Food Distribution continues to provide a critical basic need for the community during the COVID-19 crisis, helping to offset the effects of unemployment and school closures. The program has made a significant impact since starting in April:
- 19,100 families served
- 754,540 pounds of food distributed
- $1.13 million in groceries costs offset for families
Food boxes are supplied through a partnership with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley. Each family receives a 39-pound box of food worth about $60. The food distribution is open to the public and serves a large number of college students as well as community members.
Prior to the pandemic, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley was already providing food to about 260,000 people per month in the Bay Area. By June, that number skyrocketed to more than 500,000 people per month. The demand has remained at that level and is expected to continue for another 12-18 months.
Other SMCCCD Food Distribution Programs
In addition, the District purchases and mails Safeway food cards, each worth $75-150, to about 800 food-insecure students each month. Since March, the district has sent more than 4,800 Safeway cards worth $467,000 to students who need food.
The San Mateo County Community Colleges Foundation has set up an emergency fund to support these efforts as well as emergency scholarships and other student needs. Please visit foundation.smccd.edu to support our local students.