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Last year, in the United States looked to food banks and food pantries for support, according to a 2023 report from Feeding America. The end of COVID-era government assistance programs and the rising cost of groceries due to inflation have many Americans facing food insecurity.

According to a 2023 Department of Agriculture report, 12.8% of households around the country—about 17 million—were . That's up from the 10.2% of households who had difficulty providing food for everyone in their home in 2021, and also up from the 10.5% who said the same in 2020. It's the highest share of food-insecure households in the U.S. since 2014.

The rise of food insecurity and the economic situation in the U.S. means that food banks are struggling to keep up with the demand. "Local food banks, pantries, and community meal programs have become an essential component of many households' food budgets, especially as we continue to face increased food prices and the end of pandemic-era benefits," Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, accompanying the nonprofit's aforementioned report. In an earlier 2023 survey from Feeding America, 65% of responding food banks reported an .

It can be difficult to know where to go if you want to help, as many do during the holiday season in particular. To help guide you, compiled a list of food bank volunteer opportunities near Oakland using data from . Read on to see what you can do for those grappling with food insecurity in your community, from distributing lunches to seniors to serving meals at soup kitchens.

Volunteer in our Shelter
- Organization: Idealist.org
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Committed Volunteering Opportunity - DAILY BREAKFAST - Oakland Homeless Community
- Organization: SAIAASHRAYA INC
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Help Deliver Food
- Organization: Farms to Grow, Inc
- Dates: Dec 2 to Mar 1
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Join The Fun & Help Support Seniors!
- Organization: J-Sei
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St. Vincent de Paul's Community Center Help Desk
- Organization: Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County
- Dates: Nov 1 to Jan 30
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Help shop for client's groceries!
- Organization: Project Open Hand
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WORLD Fresh Food Market- Volunteers Needed!
- Organization: WORLD
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Food Pantry Helpers
- Organization: The Salvation Army Alameda County
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Regional Director
- Organization: The Borgen Project
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Food Bank Volunteers - Weekday Food Sorting
- Organization: Alameda County Community Food Bank
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Community Building/health & wellness events/kids' activities (1180 4th Street - SF)
- Organization: Mercy Housing California
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Help Support Our Unhoused Neighbors
- Organization: Dorothy Day House of Berkeley
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LCC Food Pantry
- Organization: Lutheran Church of the Cross
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Deliver Groceries with San Francisco Marin Food Bank!
- Organization: San Francisco-Marin Food Bank
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Cooking and/or Nutrition Educator/Assistant - 18 Reasons
- Organization: Hunger Free America
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Community Meal at the Hope Center
- Organization: Insight Housing
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FOOD: Mercy Housing Pantry
- Organization: Mercy Housing California
- Dates: Oct 11 to Dec 25
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Cook Dinner for Local Families
- Organization: Safe & Sound
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Help prepare meals for seniors in Alameda County
- Organization: SOS Meals on Wheels
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Weekly Volunteers to help with Supply Preparation
- Organization: AT THE CROSSROADS
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Deliver Household Items to Homebound Seniors
- Organization: Meals on Wheels San Francisco
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Hunger doesn't take a break for the holidays! We need your help on Saturdays!
- Organization: Excelsior Community Food Pantry
- Dates: Dec 16 to Jan 6
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Food Pantry Volunteer
- Organization: Richmond Emergency Food Pantry
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This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 101 metros.