San Leandro application to double food distributions – East ...

With the threat of deep cuts proposed to the federal meals stamp program, San Leandro and the Alameda County food bank are increasing a pilot program that provides meals to hungry residents at faculties, libraries and shelters.

meals For San Leandro families, a partnership between the metropolis and the meals financial institution, introduced this week that it's going to double the quantity of meals it distributes, working with local nonprofits to hand out reusable grocery luggage of fresh, healthy meals in locations the place San Leandro residents already receive social services in place of having them go to typical food bank places.

"loads of these households are working two jobs," says San Leandro Mayor Pauline Russo Cutter. "Their time is of the essence. as a way to reach people the place they live and go as adverse to having them come to us is basically crucial."

food For San Leandro, a pilot application that begun in the summer of 2019, has exceeded out 10.5 hundreds meals considering the fact that it all started. With new aid from the Alameda County food bank, the program plans to double its attain this year.

groups involved within the effort say the additional support is required as San Leandro families struggle with food insecurity, rising levels of poverty and homelessness, and the threat of large cuts to the country's biggest food assistance application, referred to as CalFresh in California. The proposed cuts come after adjustments to the program's work requirement guidelines that could have an effect on about 9,500 adults in Alameda County — roughly 10% of food stamp recipients, based on estimates from the county meals financial institution.

About one in 5 individuals in Alameda County are food insecure or vulnerable to hunger, a recent file by using the Alameda County meals bank found, with high living and housing charges inserting a stress on many working families. In San Leandro, in response to the food bank, the percent of americans residing with meals insecurity or possibility of meals insecurity is 23 % — slightly better than the county commonplace. basically 10 % of the population lives in poverty and the median family profits is $70,723.

"we are continuously out at our companies or mobile pantry distributions and nearly without fail, the people we're talking to are working households." says Michael Altfest, the meals bank's director of neighborhood engagement and advertising."people are able to preserve a roof over their head, put gas in the car, and preserve the lights on, however the place they birth to reduce or make changes is fit nutrition."

native officers hope to attain people who may make a decision to reduce again on food as they combat with fiscal and housing pressures.

"It's our job to protect individuals who should be blanketed," says Russo Cutter. "In San Leandro, we now have a announcing that it's a metropolis the place kindness matters. So it's our job to seem to be in any respect of our residents and learn how we are able to aid."

this article is part of The California Divide, a collaboration among newsrooms inspecting salary inequity and financial survival in California.