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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 Jose 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.

Join Our Team: Bilingual Volunteer Drivers Needed for a Fulfilling Mission
- Organization: The Health Trust
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Do You Have 90 Minutes to Help Transport Food?
- Organization: PENINSULA FOOD RUNNERS INC
- Dates: Nov 1 to Jan 1
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Grocery Pick-up - Monday Mornings (8AM)
- Organization: West Valley Community Services
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Community Cats feeder/caregiver - Milpitas
- Organization: 13th Street Cat Rescue
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Food Distribution in Santa Clara
- Organization: The Salvation Army - San Jose, CA
- Dates: Oct 13 to Dec 31
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Wednesdays food donation pickup driver needed ❤
- Organization: Community Services Agency
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Food Distribution
- Organization: HUNGER AT HOME
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AAi Sack Lunch Making
- Organization: Abrahamic Alliance International
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Tri City Free Breakfast Program
- Organization: Tri-City Free Breakfast Program
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Help feed the hungry & reduce food waste in San Jose/Santa Clara County!
- Organization: Peninsula Food Runners - Santa Clara County
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Help Feed Those in Need in the San Jose, Santa Clara Area! Also Sunnyvale, Cupertino!
- Organization: Peninsula Food Runners - San Mateo County & Farmers Markets
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Multiple Opportunities Available for Supporting our Pet Meals-on-Wheels Program
- Organization: Ohlone Humane Society
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Schilling Elementary Alameda Co Food Bank Distribution
- Organization: PARENTS AND SCHILLING STAFF
- Date: Jan 24
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Volunteer at the Newark Farmers Market!
- Organization: AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTE OF MARIN
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Senior Nutrition Sites need your help. Do you like to work with food & fun people? (Palo Alto)
- Organization: LA COMIDA
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Deliver meals to homebound seniors in Fremont, Newark, and Union City
- Organization: SOS Meals on Wheels
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Little House Dining Room Helpers
- Organization: Peninsula Volunteers Inc.
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Data Entry for Food Pantry
- Organization: The Salvation Army Alameda County
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Fight Hunger! Food Distribution at Fair Oaks Adult Activity Center, Redwood City
- Organization: Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
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FOOD: Fair Oaks Community Center Food Distribution
- Organization: HandsOn Bay Area
- Dates: Dec 8 to Mar 7
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Food Pantry Volunteer
- Organization: Community Bridges
- Dates: Aug 3 to Jun 27
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Redwood City Free Clinic - Food Pharmacy Driver
- Organization: Samaritan House San Mateo
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Warehouse Volunteers
- Organization: Rise Against Hunger
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Grocery Packing in our Warehouse the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Wednesday of each month
- Organization: Sunnyvale Community Services
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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.