Whether you’re looking for a way to help those in need or give something back to the community, there are many ways to donate food in Santa Cruz. Local food banks, such as Second Harvest, distribute food to local families and individuals in need. You can also find drop-off locations at Goodwill, a thrift-store chain that offers programs to advance job seekers.
Cars2Charities
Cars2Charities has a 30-year history of helping the community by providing a safe and efficient vehicle donation process. You can donate perishable and non-perishable food, reusable household items like clothes, small appliances, working electronics, and sporting goods. They also accept electronic items for recycling, including computers and other electronic equipment that doesn’t work.
Second Harvest Food Bank
The Second Harvest Food Bank in Santa Cruz is the largest in Santa Cruz County and has been around for over 50 years. Its mission is to combat hunger by providing nutritious food and other necessities to the hungry. It serves more than 56,000 people in the county each month and is a part of a network of more than 200 local nonprofits. The food bank also offers bilingual nutrition education and CalFresh outreach.
The Second Harvest Food Bank in Santa Cruz County distributes food to various locations, including food pantries, soup kitchens, youth centers, group homes, and schools. It also helps educate people about nutrition and other ways to improve their health. The food bank also offers various services, including will writing and legal will services.
The food bank has a new CEO. Erica Padilla-Chavez started her new role in July. She is a native of Watsonville and graduated from Watsonville High School. She credits her parents for instilling in her the importance of serving others. She is also planning to expand Second Harvest’s nutrition program.
The Second Harvest Food Bank is one of the largest food banks in the country, assisting more than 55,000 people each month. The food bank relies on a network of dedicated volunteers, farmers, and retailers. It sources about 8 million pounds of food annually and distributes it to over a hundred Second Harvest program sites and food pantries. The food bank distributes 60 percent of its food as fresh produce.
St. Mary’s Food Bank
In Santa Cruz, California, St. Mary’s Food Bank distributes millions of pounds of food each year to those in need. It runs food pantries and provides career training for adults and after-school programs for children. Three hundred sixty-five days a year, the Church Food Bank serves a hot, nutritious lunch to needy people. The pantry also offers showers, laundry, mail, and other essential services.
The food bank was founded in 1967 by John van Hengel, a volunteer at a local soup kitchen. After hearing a story of a hungry mother, he decided to do something about it. He devised a food bank where people who had extra food could “deposit” it and then “withdraw” it to help needy families.
Food banks are nonprofit organizations that collect food donations and distribute them to the needy. Many are locally run, while others are state and federally-run. They can be a source of food and other essential services, but there are often qualifications for access. If you are interested in visiting a food bank, call ahead.
Food donations are essential to reduce food waste and help the community. Many food companies and restaurants have edible food-related waste, and donating excess food helps the community and protects their business from liability. Food donations can also help Santa Cruz County meet recycling goals.
Animal shelter
The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter provides essential services to protect the lives of domestic animals in the Santa Cruz area. With no age restrictions or adoption fees, the shelter accepts all strays and unwanted animals. They also intervene in animal abuse cases and perform spay/neuter operations. In addition, the top offers a variety of humane education classes and training classes to help residents better understand and care for these animals. While the county primarily supports the shelter, they also rely on private donations to run their programs.
The Santa Cruz SPCA is currently in need of dry cat food. As the number of adoptable cats and kittens increases, the shelter is constantly in need of food. To help the cover keep its shelves stocked, donors can donate dry cat food in its original packaging. Donations are accepted every day. They can be dropped off at 2601 Chanticleer Ave. They are open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and are closed on Sundays. Please remember that no abuse or disrespect is tolerated at the Santa Cruz SPCA.
Soup kitchen
Consider volunteering at a soup kitchen if you need food, clothes, or shelter. Santa Cruz, California, has several options. One such option is the St. Francis Catholic Soup Kitchen on Mora Street. It has operated for 25 years and offers various services, including soup, hot lunch, clothes, and a transitional shelter. Volunteers are needed to help keep the doors open, and the kitchen running.
Volunteers at the St. Francis Catholic Soup Kitchen are vital to the operation. The kitchen provides a hot meal every weekday and offers clean, gently used clothing, toilets, and showers. Volunteers strive to show the compassion of God to every guest and provide a safe, welcoming environment. This Santa Cruz soup kitchen is open to the homeless and anyone suffering from hunger or chronic poverty.
Several notable Santa Cruz residents have volunteered at St. Francis Soup Kitchen, including Evan Pepper and Tom Sousa. The volunteers also accept donations and registration for their services. In addition, they can connect on social media to stay up to date with events and volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in volunteering at a soup kitchen, you can find a complete list of Santa Cruz County community groups in the directory.
