What's New at the Food Pantry?
4/5/25 Volunteers Step Up at the South Bay Food Pantry
For some time, the Pantry’s community volunteer Manny has picked up and unloaded a truckful of food every Friday by himself. When another volunteer, Adrienne Kaplan, heard that Manny’s back was bothering him and realized that he needed help, she marshalled her artistic talents, made a sign, and took to the patio. In solidarity, four UUs answered Adrienne’s plea, and now the pantry has new volunteers – one every Friday – to help Manny. Thank you, Manny, Adrienne and all those who make the pantry work! To volunteer at the Pantry, email Deirdre Lonergan ([email protected]). 
2/15/25 Food Pantry helps clients know their rights
In this challenging time of mass deportations, the South Bay Food Pantry is helping our neighbors and friends understand their rights as treasured members of our community. Social Justice Coordinator Valeria Aguilar and UU congregant Nina Douglass handed out flyers and wallet cards from immigration rights advocates including the ACLU and helped answer questions and concerns. While the mission of the Food Pantry is to feed hungry San Diegans, our real objective is to care for our whole community. |
If You Need Food Contact us at 619-271-5017 Food Pantry Hours and Location First come, first served Every Saturday from 11 am - 12:30 pm We start handing out tickets at 8:00 970 Broadway, Suite 105, Chula Vista 91911 Phone: (619) 271-5017 Diaper and Period Product Distribution We’re open every Sunday from 8:15 - 9:15 am Baby diapers sizes 0 - 6. No adult diapers. Period products include tampons and pads. |
South Bay Food Pantry, Diapers & Period Products
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The South Bay Food Pantry provides free, nutritious food on Saturdays to anyone who asks for it. We do not ask for identification or proof of income. We are run by volunteers from our church and the wider community. In 2022, we provide free food to about 270 heads of household and serve over 1,000 individuals every week. On Sundays, volunteers provide free diapers and period products to dozens of individuals.
How to Donate Funds to the South Bay Food PantryBoth one-time and monthly sustaining donations help us stay open!
No amount is too small, or too large.
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The South Bay Food Pantry is a partner with Feeding San Diego and
the San Diego Food Bank. 
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Volunteer opportunities
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Volunteer opportunities are available on Saturdays. Shifts begin at 7:30 AM when the delivery truck from Feeding San Diego arrives. Volunteers set up outdoor tables, sort food into grocery bags, and carry boxes of dry goods inside. From 11 AM - 12:30 PM, volunteers distribute food to clients. While our church is still under pandemic precautions, clients receive food by walking through our outdoor food distribution. Masks and social distancing are required. Volunteers clean up the distribution site and lock up. Generally, everyone leaves by about 12:45 PM.
Mid-week volunteers put dry goods into grocery bags. They can make their own hours. Tuesday volunteers meet the delivery truck from the Regional Diaper Bank during a two hour delivery window. They carry the boxes of goods inside the pantry. Friday morning volunteers pick up food donations from retailers located in San Diego, National City, and Chula Vista. They transport the food back to the pantry, make sure it is properly accounted for and stored. Friday and Saturday night volunteers pick up bakery items donated by a retailer in Liberty Station. Volunteers then deliver the baked goods to the pantry, and make sure the items are properly wrapped and stored. Once a week, a volunteer with a pick up truck makes a run to the Jacobs and Cushman San Diego Food Bank in Mira Mesa. Those volunteers go into the warehouse to pick up frozen food by appointment, transport the food back to our food pantry, and make sure it is properly stored. We prefer to have at least one volunteer in a separate vehicle accompany the volunteer with the pick up truck to the SD Food Bank. Sunday volunteers distribute free diapers for babies and period products between 8:15 - 9:15 AM. Set up and take down take about 15 minutes each shift. Volunteer from home if you would like to do data organization and entry or design graphics. If you would like to volunteer for the South Bay Food Pantry or the Diaper and Period Products Program, please contact one of our volunteers (contact information below). 
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Bella Furth taking all precautions while on duty at the SB Food Pantry. Thank you Bella!
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Who to contact
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Maureen McNair
Food Pantry Founder |
