Each year, the Food Bank provides enough food for millions of meals to individuals and families facing food insecurity — but we couldn’t do it without the incredible dedication of our volunteers. April was National Volunteer Month, and as we move into May, we want to take a moment to extend our deepest gratitude to the nearly 15,000 volunteers who make our work possible.
Volunteers are truly the heartbeat of the Food Bank. Over the past year, they have donated more than 88,000 hours of service across nearly 40,000 visits — the equivalent of 44 full-time employees. Their impact extends beyond sorting and distributing food; they are an essential force in keeping our hunger relief programs running efficiently and cost-effectively.
Whether packing emergency food boxes for seniors, military families, and low-income households, assembling backpacks filled with nutritious food for children, or helping to organize donations at our warehouses, volunteers play a critical role in fighting hunger in our community. They ensure that the hundreds of nonprofit partners we work with receive food in a timely and organized manner, amplifying our reach across San Diego County.
Without volunteers, we simply wouldn’t be able to operate at the scale needed to serve over 400,000 people each month. Their contributions allow us to stretch every dollar further, maximizing our impact and making sure nutritious food reaches those who need it most.
Beyond the numbers, our volunteers bring compassion, energy and a sense of community to everything they do. Whether they are long-time volunteers or first-time participants, their generosity creates hope for families struggling to put food on the table.
Although National Volunteer Month has come to a close, we encourage everyone to join us in making a difference year-round. Whether you can donate just a few hours for one shift or commit to regular monthly or even weekly shifts, every hour counts. Visit sandiegofoodbank.org/volunteer to sign up and be part of something bigger — because together, we can fight hunger and feed hope in San Diego.
To our volunteers: Thank you for your time, dedication and unwavering commitment. You are the heart of our mission!