Food bank volunteer opportunities near San Jose

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 Jose 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.

Join Our Team: Bilingual Volunteer Drivers Needed for a Fulfilling Mission
- Organization: The Health Trust
- Read more on website

Do You Have 90 Minutes to Help Transport Food?
- Organization: PENINSULA FOOD RUNNERS INC
- Dates: Nov 1 to Jan 1
- Read more on website

Grocery Pick-up - Monday Mornings (8AM)
- Organization: West Valley Community Services
- Read more on website

Community Cats feeder/caregiver - Milpitas
- Organization: 13th Street Cat Rescue
- Read more on website

Food Distribution in Santa Clara
- Organization: The Salvation Army - San Jose, CA
- Dates: Oct 13 to Dec 31
- Read more on website

Wednesdays food donation pickup driver needed ❤
- Organization: Community Services Agency
- Read more on website

Food Distribution
- Organization: HUNGER AT HOME
- Read more on website

AAi Sack Lunch Making
- Organization: Abrahamic Alliance International
- Read more on website

Tri City Free Breakfast Program
- Organization: Tri-City Free Breakfast Program
- Read more on website

Help feed the hungry & reduce food waste in San Jose/Santa Clara County!
- Organization: Peninsula Food Runners - Santa Clara County
- Read more on website

Help Feed Those in Need in the San Jose, Santa Clara Area! Also Sunnyvale, Cupertino!
- Organization: Peninsula Food Runners - San Mateo County & Farmers Markets
- Read more on website

Multiple Opportunities Available for Supporting our Pet Meals-on-Wheels Program
- Organization: Ohlone Humane Society
- Read more on website

Schilling Elementary Alameda Co Food Bank Distribution
- Organization: PARENTS AND SCHILLING STAFF
- Date: Jan 24
- Read more on website

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

Senior Nutrition Sites need your help. Do you like to work with food & fun people? (Palo Alto)
- Organization: LA COMIDA
- Read more on website

Deliver meals to homebound seniors in Fremont, Newark, and Union City
- Organization: SOS Meals on Wheels
- Read more on website

Little House Dining Room Helpers
- Organization: Peninsula Volunteers Inc.
- Read more on website

Data Entry for Food Pantry
- Organization: The Salvation Army Alameda County
- Read more on website

Fight Hunger! Food Distribution at Fair Oaks Adult Activity Center, Redwood City
- Organization: Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
- Read more on website

FOOD: Fair Oaks Community Center Food Distribution
- Organization: HandsOn Bay Area
- Dates: Dec 8 to Mar 7
- Read more on website

Food Pantry Volunteer
- Organization: Community Bridges
- Dates: Aug 3 to Jun 27
- Read more on website

Redwood City Free Clinic - Food Pharmacy Driver
- Organization: Samaritan House San Mateo
- Read more on website

Warehouse Volunteers
- Organization: Rise Against Hunger
- Read more on website

Grocery Packing in our Warehouse the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Wednesday of each month
- Organization: Sunnyvale Community Services
- 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.