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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 Santa Cruz 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.

Payroll Assistant Volunteer
- Organization: Homeless Garden Project
- Dates: Dec 12 to Dec 31
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Grocery Shopper Volunteer
- Organization: Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
- Dates: Jun 6 to Aug 30
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Food Distribution - In Person
- Organization: Santa Cruz Community Health
- Dates: Nov 17 to Jan 31
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Grey Bears Warehouse and Kitchen Support
- Organization: Grey Bears
- Date: Mar 1
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Delivery Angel: Deliver meals to the homes of those who need it most
- Organization: Teen Kitchen Project
- Date: Oct 25
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Food Pantry Volunteer
- Organization: Community Bridges
- Dates: Aug 3 to Jun 27
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5 boxes of organic produce - Pickup/Drop-off to Encompass' Community Services
- Organization: Farm Discovery at Live Earth
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Hunger Fighter
- Organization: Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes
- Dates: Mar 2 to Jan 31
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Fight Hunger! Food Distribution at Southside Senior Center- San Jose
- Organization: Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
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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.