Food bank volunteer opportunities near San Francisco

Last year, 1 out of every 6 people in the United States looked to food banks and food pantries for support, according to a 2023 report from Feeding America. The end of COVID-era government assistance programs and the rising cost of groceries due to inflation have many Americans facing food insecurity.

According to a 2023 Department of Agriculture report, 12.8% of households around the country—about 17 million—were food insecure in 2022. That's up from the 10.2% of households who had difficulty providing food for everyone in their home in 2021, and also up from the 10.5% who said the same in 2020. It's the highest share of food-insecure households in the U.S. since 2014.

The rise of food insecurity and the economic situation in the U.S. means that food banks are struggling to keep up with the demand. "Local food banks, pantries, and community meal programs have become an essential component of many households' food budgets, especially as we continue to face increased food prices and the end of pandemic-era benefits," Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, said in a statement accompanying the nonprofit's aforementioned report. In an earlier 2023 survey from Feeding America, 65% of responding food banks reported an increase in the number of people they served.

It can be difficult to know where to go if you want to help, as many do during the holiday season in particular. To help guide you, Stacker compiled a list of food bank volunteer opportunities near San Francisco using data from VolunteerMatch. Read on to see what you can do for those grappling with food insecurity in your community, from distributing lunches to seniors to serving meals at soup kitchens.

Cooking and/or Nutrition Educator/Assistant - 18 Reasons
- Organization: Hunger Free America
- Read more on website

Regional Director
- Organization: The Borgen Project
- Read more on website

Cook Dinner for Local Families
- Organization: Safe & Sound
- Read more on website

Community Building/health & wellness events/kids' activities (1180 4th Street - SF)
- Organization: Mercy Housing California
- Read more on website

Deliver Groceries with San Francisco Marin Food Bank!
- Organization: San Francisco-Marin Food Bank
- Read more on website

FOOD: Mercy Housing Pantry
- Organization: Mercy Housing California
- Dates: Oct 11 to Dec 25
- Read more on website

Volunteer at the Clement Street Market!
- Organization: AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTE OF MARIN
- Read more on website

Student Opportunity--Help Fight Hunger Around America's Breakfast Tables
- Organization: CEREAL4ALL INC
- Read more on website

Hunger doesn't take a break for the holidays! We need your help on Saturdays!
- Organization: Excelsior Community Food Pantry
- Dates: Dec 16 to Jan 6
- Read more on website

Weekly Volunteers to help with Supply Preparation
- Organization: AT THE CROSSROADS
- Read more on website

Transport food donations for families in need in the Greater San Francisco area
- Organization: Move For Hunger
- Read more on website

Deliver Household Items to Homebound Seniors
- Organization: Meals on Wheels San Francisco
- Read more on website

Large Community Outreaches - SF City Impact
- Organization: San Francisco City Impact
- Dates: Nov 23 to Dec 25
- Read more on website

FOOD: GLIDE Daily Free Meals Program
- Organization: Glide Memorial Church
- Dates: Aug 2 to Dec 31
- Read more on website

Join us for Monday Lunch Prep and Service
- Organization: Martin de Porres House of Hospitality
- Read more on website

Help Bag and Deliver Groceries for Seniors in Need
- Organization: Community Living Campaign
- Read more on website

Cook a Meal for a family in Need in San Francisco, CA
- Organization: Lasagna Love
- Read more on website

Serve Lunch in Curry Senior Center's Dining Room
- Organization: Curry Senior Center
- Read more on website

Join The Fun & Help Support Seniors!
- Organization: J-Sei
- Read more on website

FOOD: Mission District Salvation Army Food Pantry
- Organization: HandsOn Bay Area
- Dates: Dec 6 to Mar 5
- Read more on website

Volunteer in our Shelter
- Organization: Idealist.org
- Read more on website

Committed Volunteering Opportunity - DAILY BREAKFAST - Oakland Homeless Community
- Organization: SAIAASHRAYA INC
- Read more on website

Help Deliver Food
- Organization: Farms to Grow, Inc
- Dates: Dec 2 to Mar 1
- Read more on website

St. Vincent de Paul's Community Center Help Desk
- Organization: Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County
- Dates: Nov 1 to Jan 30
- Read more on website

This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 101 metros.