About the Food Assistance Program
The Food Assistance Program is a federal program that provides monthly food packages to individuals and families who meet income guidelines set by the federal government (see below).
The San Diego Food Bank administers the program and distributes USDA provided food to over 85,000 individuals at 93 distribution sites every month throughout San Diego County. Participants on the Food Assistance Program receive a bag of food once a month at a local distribution site in their area.
Income guidelines
To see if you meet the Food Assistance Program income guidelines, refer to the income chart below:
|
Food Assistance Program Income Guidelines
|
|
Household Size |
Monthly HH Income |
Annual HH Income |
|
1 |
$ 1,354 |
$ 16,245 |
|
2 |
$ 1,821 |
$ 21,855 |
|
3 |
$ 2,289 |
$ 27,465 |
|
4 |
$ 2,756 |
$ 33,075 |
|
5 |
$ 3,224 |
$ 38,685 |
|
6 |
$ 3,691 |
$ 44,295 |
|
7 |
$ 4,159 |
$ 49,905 |
|
8 |
$ 4,626 |
$ 55,515 |
|
Each additional member add |
$ 468 |
$ 5,610 |
Click here to download the Income Guidelines Flier (English)
Click here to download the Income Guidelines Flier (Spanish)
How to sign up for the program
1) Call to see if you qualify, and get the address of your nearest distribution site.
To see if you qualify for the program call 211, the county social services information hotline. If you qualify for the program, the 211 operator will give you the location of your nearest food distribution site based on your zip code. You can also contact the San Diego Food Bank on 1-866-350-FOOD (3663).
2) Visit the food distribution site and sign up for the program.
Go to your nearest food distribution site. At the site you will be asked to give your name and address; state your household income; and state the number of people living in your household.
DOCUMENTATION IS NOT REQUIRED TO REGISTER FOR THE PROGRAM.
After signing up, you will be entitled to receive a monthly food package from the nearest distribution site within your zip code on the allocated food distribution day every month.
3) Visit your local site if you need emergency food.
If you qualify for the program and need immediate food assistance you can visit an ‘emergency site’ the same day. At the site you will be asked to register for the program and you will be given an emergency food package at the same time.
After you sign up, you will be entitled to receive a food package every month from your nearest distribution site on the allocated food distribution day every month.
Please note, due to federal restrictions, all food distribution sites will only be able to provide emergency food packages to a household, outside of the set monthly distributions, three times per year. Households who have reached their maximum emergency food allocation for the year should contact the San Diego Food Bank on 1-866-350-FOOD (3663)
Full list of Food Assistance Program distribution sites
Click on the link below for a full list of the Food Assistance Program’s distribution sites.
Click here to download a full list of the 91 food distribution sites
Typical food package
Food items vary from month to month. A typical EFAP bag will include: canned vegetables, canned soups, canned fruit juice, canned fruits, canned meats, spaghetti, rice, beans and frozen food items.
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