Local South Bay food pantries close gap in services during pandemic

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Art by Leticia Samame

A map of the locations for various food pantries in the south bay.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County’s Disaster Recovery Self-Sufficiency Program has been providing free food to community members across San Jose in need.

More community members are seeking help, with job losses skyrocketing because of the effects of the pandemic.

According to Mercury News, half a million citizens in the Bay Area have lost their job and the unemployment rate is at its all time highest, jumping from 3.4% in March to 13.8% in April.

The program has been able to sustain itself, even as more community members are seeking help.

Otilia Flores, 51, is a receptionist at Catholic Charities and ever since the COVID-19 pandemic began, she often volunteers with the company’s disaster program to serve her community.

She has dedicated most of her time at Our Lady of Peace parish and shares what goes on there on a daily basis.

“Because I’m always talking with people in order to get them registered for our services, it’s clear that the majority are low-income with families who are looking for help,” she said. “We’re very fortunate to not have run out of food or help.”

Below is a map and list of local food banks/pantries that can be found in Santa Clara County.

For any additional information, please visit their linked websites or call the numbers listed.

A. West Valley Community Services of Santa Clara County
10104 Vista Dr
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 255-8033

B. Sunnyvale Community Services – Food Pantry
725 Kifer Road
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
(408) 738-4321
Client Service Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM & 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM

C. Community Services Agency Community – Food Nutrition Center
204 Stierlin Rd.
Mountain View, CA 94043
(650) 968-0836
Food distributions will take place in the CSA parking lot. Monday/Wednesday – Closed Tuesday – 2:00 – 4:00pm Thursday – Distribution 11:30 – 1:30pm Friday – 1:30 – 3:30pm
Food distributions will be a pre-bagged allocation of food items.

D. Manna Food Distribution
480 Perry Court
Santa Clara, CA 95054
(408) 295-2326

E. Goodwill Industries – Loaves and Fishes Free Dinner Meal
1080 North 7th Street
San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 998-5774
Meals are served Monday-Friday 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM

F. The Salvation Army
405 N. 4th Street
Rm. 202 (408) 282-1165
G. Antioch Baptist Church
268 E. Julian St.

G. Sacred Heart Community Services
1381 S. First Street
(408) 278-2160
9:30 AM serving

H. Second Harvest Food Bank
750 Curtner Ave.
(408) 266-8866
(Volunteers work for food)

I. River of life Foundation Food Pantry
1177 Laurelwood Rd, Santa Clara, CA 95054
(408) 567-0877

J. Milpitas Food Pantry
1440 S. Main Street Milpitas, CA 95035
(408) 946-5564

K. Our Lady of Peace
2800 Mission College Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95054
Every Monday (beginning 4/13/2020)
10 AM – 12 Noon