San Diego is home to a significant military presence, with more than 115,000 active-duty personnel, 230,000 veterans, and their families living in the area*. While this community plays a vital role in our nation’s defense, a heartbreaking reality exists here as well: for many military-connected families in San Diego, putting nutritious food on the table is a weekly struggle. Despite their service, the salaries provided to military personnel often fall short when it comes to covering basic living expenses in this highly expensive region.
More than a decade ago, the San Diego Food Bank uncovered this disheartening truth, and it led to the formation of a new Initiative and new partnerships created with one very specific mission: providing nutritious food to military and veteran families facing food insecurity.
Reaching Those in Need
Since its inception, The Military Initiative to Combat Hunger has made an important impact directly targeting active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their families. Thanks to our ongoing partnership with 13 military support agencies, such as the Armed Services YMCA, last year we were able to increase our essential food assistance and serve close to 40,000 active-military and veteran family members each month.
These families have sacrificed so much in service to our country, and we are honored to support them.
The Food Bank’s non-profit military partners include:
- Armed Services YMCA
- Armed Services YMCA, Camp Pendleton
- Murphy Canyon Military Bread Ministry
- Military Outreach Ministry
- Support the Enlisted Project, INC.
- USO Council of San Diego
- Us for Warriors Foundation
- Wounded Warrior Homes
Besides our ongoing work with these important partners, our military and veteran families also utilize other long-standing Food Bank programs such as:
- Food 4 Kids Backpack Program – Helping children in need access nutritious food over the weekend when school meals are not available.
- Neighborhood Distribution Program – Monthly distributions ensuring families across the county have access to food resources.
- Senior Nutrition Program – Working to provide nutritious food to thousands of local senior citizens including our region’s elderly veterans.
Providing More Than Just Food
While the distribution of nutritious food is at the heart of the initiative, the Food Bank and its partners also work to connect military families with other crucial health and human services. One of the programs frequently accessed by active-duty military is our County-wide Diaper Bank. Diapers are expensive, but diapers are also essential for families with young children. Without a sufficient supply of diapers, parents struggle to secure childcare and for some military spouses, to even maintain employment. In 2024, our Diaper Bank provided more than 25,000 pounds of diapers to military families.
For many struggling veterans, accessing programs like CalFresh (commonly known as food stamps) can also be a lifeline, providing additional support in the fight against hunger. By connecting our active-duty and veteran families to these and other services, the Food Bank works to ease some of the daily burdens these families face.
A Call for Support
The Food Bank’s Military Initiative to Combat Hunger is a crucial lifeline for those who have served or are serving now. However, the demand for assistance continues to grow, and without ongoing support and funding, the Food Bank will face challenges in meeting the needs of our region’s military families.
By supporting these efforts, you can help ensure these brave men and women, along with their families, have access to the food and services they need to thrive. Together, we can continue to help alleviate hunger in the lives of those who have sacrificed so much for our country.
* San Diego Military Advisory Council