Food Bank Seeks Help For Holidays

A food bank that serves Peninsula and South Bay residents in need has received fewer cash and food donations than usual this year, and is seeking help from the community as the holidays approach.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo counties says its donations are down compared to last year; the organization is only about a quarter of the way to its goal of raising $11.3 million and collecting 1.6 million pounds of food.

Officials with the food bank say the number of people the organization is serving has increased by nearly 50 percent in the past few years, and that the holiday season is a critical time.

"We are so grateful for the support we have received from the community so far, but we really need to collect more cash and food donations if we are going to meet the rising need," food bank CEO Kathy Jackson said in a statement.

The greatest need is for cash donations, which the food bank can turn into two meals for each dollar donated.

Food items that are needed most include peanut butter, beans, and canned tuna and other canned meats, according to the organization.

Cash donations can be given online at www.shfb.org, or by calling 866-234-3663.

Second Harvest is also accepting food at its locations on Curtner Avenue in San Jose and Bing Street in San Carlos, as well as at Safeway stores and other barrels placed at various locations around the region.

For more information about where to donate, visit www.shfb.org.