Second Harvest of Silicon Valley

“The electric bill is very high. We are paying a lot more for power. Before we would pay $200 to $250. But now we’re paying $700. It’s incredible.” With inflation still elevated, many households like Felipa’s are spending more of their paychecks on rent, gas, and other critical bills, leaving even less money for food. Nearly 1/3 of our neighbors can’t meet their most basic needs without help. As a result, a record number of people are turning to Second Harvest for assistance. Felipa’s daughter shares, “I feel a little sad because I know my mom does so much for us — and I would like for her to not worry so much.” Our neighbors shouldn’t have to choose between paying their bills or buying groceries. Many families and individuals in our community are facing hunger and uncertainty, but together, we can make a real difference. Your donations make an immediate impact right here at home, ensuring families like Felipa’s have one less worry while navigating these challenging times. Make a gift by December 25 to have it doubled thanks to a match from the Anne Wojcicki Foundation and Strongpoint Foundation. https://lnkd.in/gZyq6RNq

Grateful to Dr. Aisha Wahab for visiting our warehouse and for her leadership in supporting efforts to end hunger. With 1 in 6 people in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties receiving food from Second Harvest, her advocacy helps raise awareness of the urgent need in our community. Thank you for working toward a hunger-free future! 🧡 #OurCommunityCan

Did you know that December 1974 was the first month that we started distributing food to the community? When we kicked off our first year of operations, we collected and distributed over 6,700 pounds of fresh fruit and bread, valued at over $2,400, to 18 different organizations, churches, and community groups across Silicon Valley. Fast forward 50 years... as we continue on our mission to end hunger in our community. We now on average distribute 10 million pounds of food every month, which is nearly 480 truckloads, to more than 400 partners across 900 distribution sites. Our work throughout the years would not have been possible without the support and generosity of our donors, volunteers, and the tireless partners who distribute food to clients. Thank you to all of you who have joined us in our mission to end hunger in our community. #FeedingSiliconValley

Did you know you can help your neighbors this holiday season by donating your cryptocurrency using our fast and secure Giving Block tool? This month, you can double your impact if you donate by December 25, thanks to a special match from the Anne Wojcicki Foundation and Strongpoint Foundation. This means your $1 donation helps provide enough food for 4 nutritious meals. Nearly 90% of our funding comes from our community, with most of it from individual donors. But with food insecurity here at an all-time high, and donations down, we are operating at maximum capacity to ensure we can provide nutritious food to everyone who needs it. You can help ensure your neighbors have the groceries needed to prepare a holiday meal and nutritious food throughout the year. Every act of generosity, both large and small, makes a difference. https://shfb.online/crypto

As the holiday season unfolds, we're reminded of the power of generosity and community. We're honored to have hosted the 27th Annual Helping Hands Day event, where approximately 286 dedicated Applied Materials staff and their families came together to embody the spirit of giving. In just a couple of hours, they sorted and packed nearly 85,000 pounds of food, providing enough food for approximately 170,000 meals, bringing hope and nourishment to those in need. Since our partnership began in 1991, Applied Materials has generously contributed over $31.5 million, making a profound impact by providing enough food for approximately 63 million meals in our community. “I am proud of Applied’s ongoing support of Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, an organization we count on to serve nutritious food to ALL our neighbors in Silicon Valley,” shared Tim Deane, Group Vice President, Applied Materials. A heartfelt thank you to Applied Materials for their enduring partnership and commitment to making a difference! #CorporationoftheMonth #FeedingSiliconValley #SpiritOfGiving

❄️ ❤️ ☃️ We had an amazing time celebrating the holiday season with our Alviso community this weekend! Hundreds of families from George Mayne Elementary joined us at the annual Santa Visits Alviso Holiday event. Families enjoyed visiting with Santa, receiving free books from the library and holiday gifts courtesy of the Santa Visits Alviso Foundation, and picking up nutritious groceries from Second Harvest. Our Food Connection team connected the community to free food resources, while our Nutrition team shared delicious holiday recipes with families. We're proud to be a part of this incredible community! #FeedingSiliconValley

Seventeen-year-old Neel leads the free grocery distribution at Stonegate Elementary, inspiring others with his dedication. He began volunteering with his mom, Lakshmi, at 16 and now helps provide groceries to 200 families weekly. "Food insecurity is often portrayed as a foreign and faraway problem. Seeing the 200 families that come to Stonegate Elementary alone has changed my view on hunger in our society," Neel shared. Lakshmi added, "I recommend parents volunteer with their kids as a unique opportunity to work together and serve your community." Happy #InternationalVolunteerDay to all who make a difference! 🧡

Thank you for your incredible support this Giving Tuesday! Together, we raised over $1.5 million, providing enough food for 9 million meals. Your generosity empowers Second Harvest to address the urgent need for food assistance in our community. But our work isn’t done. Help ensure that every neighbor has the groceries they need—not just for a holiday meal, but for nutritious food all year long. Every act of kindness, no matter the size, makes a lasting impact. 🧡 #FeedingSiliconValley

🧡 It’s Giving Tuesday! Did you know that half of the people we serve are kids and seniors? Together, we can make a real difference today. 💥 If we can raise $1 million by midnight, The Reid Hoffman Foundation will triple the amount. From now until midnight, every dollar you donate will be TRIPLED—providing enough food for six meals. This means a $100 gift turns into enough food for 600 meals! Let’s ensure no one in our community goes hungry. Make your Giving Tuesday gift today: https://shfb.online/r3w

In Colombia, Maria Teresa was a nurse, and Juan was a painter. Moving to California meant sacrifices. Their family of four shared a single room in a crowded house with three other families. A housemate introduced them to Second Harvest, which became a lifeline as they worked toward stability. Maria Teresa is especially grateful for the protein, eggs, and potatoes they receive, staples she uses in nearly every meal. “Potatoes go with everything,” she says with a smile, adding how Matias, her son, always asks about breakfast the night before. Despite challenges, Maria Teresa and Juan draw strength from their family’s love. Matias’ hugs remind them why they keep going. This Giving Tuesday, you can help families like theirs. Triple your gift: https://shfb.online/r3w.