Food Security

Food is a fundamental human necessity and good nutrition is the foundation of healthy development for young children. Some low-income families may not be able to reliably afford or access enough food and this can have a lasting impact on children’s health and well-being. In California, 1 in 5 households experience food insecurity and the rate is even higher for those with children. The impact is disproportionate on households of color given a complex set of factors, including systemic racism in housing and concentrations of neighborhood poverty (which, for instance, results in fewer grocery stores in some urban, rural, and low-income neighborhoods). Access to nutritious food in the local community and food assistance ensures families are food secure and helps to address these and other disparities.

What we fund

Sunlight Giving helps ensure families are food secure by supporting:

Food Banks

Food banks that serve as hubs for each county and provide food for distributors, which can include smaller food banks covering a more limited geographical area, food pantries, and soup kitchens. And, associations that support food banks and regional WIC offices.

Community Solutions

Local organizations developing innovative solutions and addressing the food security needs of their community. This includes groups that address access to food retail, food recovery and distribution, urban community farms, and food incentives (e.g. doubling the value of Calfresh).

Systems Change

Organizations addressing the policies and systems impacting food security through reforms to strengthen the food distribution system and expand access to food benefits (CalFresh and WIC).

What We Look For

Local organizations that address food insecurity for families with young children through direct distribution of food or efforts to improve access as well as advocacy organizations focused on policies for food distribution and benefits access.

What We Don't Fund

Stand-alone food pantries, meal centers, or organizations with a primary focus on environmental or nutrition education.