HALF A MILLION GO HUNGRY IN SAN DIEGO: WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
by Miriam Raftery
July 10, 2011 (San Diego)--“Hunger is at record levels here in San Diego,” John Lucero Criswell with the San Diego Hunger Coalition told members of the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce during a breakfast Friday at Mission Trails Regional Park.
Three food banks distribute 31 million pounds of food a year to the needy in our region, but demand has increased 10% in the past year as more people lose jobs and fall into poverty.
About half a million people in San Diego faces hunger, yet 70% of those eligible for CalFresh (formerly known as food stamps) are not receiving them due to a lack of outreach to inform people about benefits. San Diego ranks among the lowest in the nation for food stamp participation among those who are actually eligble.
A 2009 study titled “Lost Dollars, Empty Plates” found that every dollar of federal funds spent on Food Stamps actually generated $1.84 in economic benefits through a multiplier effect. The recipient has more money to spend buying food at grocery stores or other vendors, who in turn make more purchases and on up the line.
Besides working to improve communication to people in need about benefit eligibility, the coalition is also working to bring locally grown foods to hungry San Diegans “so people stay healthy,” Criswell said. He encourages community members to shop at local farmers’ markets to support local growers. “We need to stimulate local growers and revitalize rural areas,” he said.
Some local farmers are partnering with schools to bring fresh produce directly to children through the school lunch program, also encouraging healthy eating habits. San Diego Unified School District's farm-to-school program has been hailed as a model for its success.
People can also assist by volunteering with the San Diego Hunger Coalition. For more information on how you can help, or to get information about qualifications to receive food benefits, visit http://www.sandiegohungercoalition.org/.