By Erica Padilla Chavez
Right now, many of our neighbors are wondering how they’ll put food on the table as challenging economic conditions continue to deepen. Families across Santa Cruz County are being squeezed by rising prices, lay-off’s, high housing costs, and reduced access to safety net resources they’ve relied on in the past. More and more people, many who have never needed help before, are at our doorstep.
At Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County, we are seeing the effects firsthand. Calls for help are rising. Our partner agencies, from local food pantries to school sites to community organizations, are reporting longer lines and increased urgency. These aren’t abstract statistics. These are our neighbors: working parents juggling multiple jobs, seniors on fixed incomes, families recovering from recent economic disruptions, and young people struggling to afford basic necessities.
These are not ordinary times. Month after month, families are being stretched thinner. And as we enter what is traditionally our busiest season, from November through February, the need has grown beyond anything we’ve seen in recent years.
We are working hard to meet this extraordinary demand. Our team is increasing distributions of fresh produce and pantry staples, securing emergency supplies, and working closely with community partners to make sure no family slips through the cracks. But as committed as we are, we cannot do this alone.
Our food bank was already navigating significant pressure before the current economic challenges intensified. Federal food shipments that once supplemented our shelves have been inconsistent. Meanwhile, the cost of food, fuel, labor, and transportation continues to rise. At the same time, demand for food assistance is increasing, creating a widening gap between what people need and the resources available to meet that need.
And yet, in the midst of these difficulties, something extraordinary continues to stand out: the resilience, generosity, and compassion of the people of Santa Cruz County.
That is why we say: Extraordinary times call for extraordinary people.
Extraordinary people are not only those leading large-scale initiatives. They are the volunteers who sort apples and pack produce boxes on weekday mornings. They are the local farmers and fisheries who donate fresh, nutritious food even as they shoulder their own challenges. They are the donors who give what they can, even when their own budgets feel tight.
And they are the partner agencies — nonprofits, schools, faith communities, neighborhood pantries —working beside us every day to make sure food reaches everyone who needs it.
Their commitment is the backbone of our work. Without them, this community-wide effort simply wouldn’t be possible.
Today, we are asking our community to join us once again. Every dollar donated helps provide three healthy meals. Every hour volunteered directly supports a family who might otherwise go without. Every shared message brings in more helping hands during a time when the need is great.
And right now, that help matters more than ever.
Economic pressures aren’t letting up. Families who were barely getting by are now finding themselves in crisis. Food banks across California are responding to increased demand, and here at home, we are committed to ensuring that healthy food is accessible to everyone who needs it.
This is a moment for us to rise together. When our neighbors face hunger, Santa Cruz County steps forward, not because it is easy, but because it reflects who we are.
Acts of generosity don’t just put food on a table. They offer stability. They offer dignity. They offer hope. The impact of your action today will ripple outward – supporting families, strengthening communities, and reminding people that they are not alone.
To those already helping: thank you. To our farmers, partners, donors, and volunteers: your commitment is felt every single day, and your contributions make this work possible. And to those just learning about the growing need, we invite you to join us.
Our Holiday Fund & Food Drive runs through January 15, and your participation, whether by donating, volunteering, or organizing a fundraiser, will make an immediate and meaningful difference for families across Santa Cruz County.
Please visit thefoodbank.org to learn how you can help.
Because when extraordinary people come together in extraordinary times, no one in Santa Cruz County has to face hunger alone.
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Erica Padilla Chavez is the CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County.