GB Magazine November 2022 | Page 33

“ In the Mountain Empire communities , we have no food resources ,” said Deb Gonzalez , a San Diego Food Bank client . “ This truck is such a blessing in the community , especially with the fresh produce and breads since they are so rare here .”
fire prone areas . Importantly , the Mobile Food Pantry provides critical services following PSPS events , helping families restock their refrigerators and pantries with muchneeded food and water thanks to critical support provided to the Food Bank by SDG & E ®.
“ Most of the time , we do not even have water ,” said Ann Sakamoto , another East County resident , while speaking with a Food Bank staff member . “ For the Food Bank team to come out every month with fresh produce … that is a huge blessing . My grandkids need healthy food , and [ the Food Bank ] is giving them just that ,” continues Anna .
The Mobile Food Pantry Program is a resource for individuals and families facing food insecurity in rural and remote communities , as well as those affected by Public Safety Power Shutoff ( PSPS ) events due to wildfires or other natural disasters .
In addition to conducting regular food distributions throughout San Diego County , the Food Bank ’ s Mobile Food Pantry Program is helping those affected by PSPS events by providing access to emergency food relief at conveniently located sites in San Diego County ’ s most
The Food Bank ’ s Mobile Food Pantry operates at several East County locations , including Campo , Boulevard and Jamul . The Mobile Food Pantry has served more than 850 families since its inception through a partnership between the San Diego Food Bank , SDG & E and SIHC .
The San Diego Food Bank ’ s Vice President of Operations , Vanessa Ruiz , said , “ SDG & E generously provided the Food Bank with funding to purchase a brand-new Mobile Food Pantry truck , thus enabling our team to expand our services , and SIHC helped us identify distribution sites in the rural parts of the county . Thanks to partnerships like these , we are able to help families throughout San Diego County , including families living in food deserts in remote areas with limited access to healthy food .”
To learn more about the San Diego Food Bank ’ s critical hungerrelief programs , visit www . SanDiegoFoodBank . org .
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