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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 San Diego 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.

Outreach Center Supervisor - Saturdays
- Organization: StandUp for Kids - San Diego, CA
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Start your Friday by Serving Breakfast to the Community
- Organization: Third Avenue Charitable Organization (TACO)
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Food Services Volunteer-Golden Hall
- Organization: Father Joe's Villages
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Food Pantry Volunteer in Downtown
- Organization: The Salvation Army
- Dates: Sep 14 to Dec 31
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Student Opportunity--Help Fight Hunger Around America's Breakfast Tables
- Organization: CEREAL4ALL INC
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Food Pantry Helper
- Organization: Wesley House Student Residence
- Dates: Nov 20 to Jan 30
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FOOD: Restocking Food Pantry
- Organization: Heaven's Windows
- Dates: Mar 18 to Jan 19
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FOOD: Spring Valley Food Distribution
- Organization: MAAC Project
- Dates: Dec 20 to Jan 16
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FOOD: Lucky Duck Meals for the Unsheltered Homeless Program in National City
- Organization: Lucky Duck Foundation
- Dates: Jan 11 to Jan 31
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Kitchen/Staging Volunteers at Mama's Kitchen
- Organization: Mama's Kitchen
- Dates: May 13 to Dec 31
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Help Divert Food Waste at The La Jolla Open Aire Market for San Diego's Food-Insecure!
- Organization: ProduceGood
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Meals on Wheels Drivers needed in La Mesa
- Organization: Meals on Wheels San Diego County
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Help Build Community and Hope as a ReStore Volunteer
- Organization: San Diego Habitat for Humanity
- Dates: Sep 20 to Dec 31
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Regional Director
- Organization: The Borgen Project
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IVC Seeks Active Seniors for San Diego Area
- Organization: Ignatian Volunteer Corps
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FOOD: PATH Mission Valley Food Distribution
- Organization: PATH (People Assisting the Homeless)
- Dates: Oct 11 to Jan 31
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1. "Hunger Heroes: Food Drive Organizers & Meal Distributors"
- Organization: STANDUP TO OUR PERPETRATORS
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SORT: Clothing Processor at Sharia's Closet
- Organization: Sharia?s Closet
- Dates: Dec 16 to Jan 31
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Pet Food Insecurity Project
- Organization: FACE Foundation
- Dates: Feb 21 to Dec 31
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FOOD: Set Up a Market-Style Pantry/Event
- Organization: Porchlight Community Services
- Dates: Jan 27 to Jan 28
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ECO: Farm at Wild Willow
- Organization: Wild Willow Farm
- Dates: Oct 11 to Jan 13
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Food Donation Pick Up & Drop Off
- Organization: Auntie Helen?s Charity Thrift and Safe Space Services
- Dates: Sep 4 to Dec 31
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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.