OAKLAND, Calif. — The PG&E Corporation Foundation (The PG&E Foundation) is providing $1.12 million to local food banks, tribal food banks and senior meal programs to help feed the growing number of individuals and families struggling with food insecurity as federal assistance programs face funding cuts.
“As we continue to serve elevated levels of need, cuts to federal safety-net programs like SNAP are forcing even more of our neighbors to turn to food banks for help,” said Leslie Bacho, CEO of Second Harvest of Silicon Valley. “Today, we are already providing food assistance to 1 in 6 people in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties every month. Support from partners like PG&E is more critical than ever — their generosity this year will help provide more than 148,000 meals, ensuring families, children and seniors have the nutritious food we all need to thrive.”
The PG&E Foundation’s recent contribution will provide the equivalent of approximately 3.13 million meals for individuals and families in need. The funding will support more than 50 Central and Northern California organizations. This includes:
Santa Clara County/San Mateo County
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Silicon Valley – $74,000
Alameda County
- Alameda County Community Foodbank – $53,400
- Community Kitchens – $10,000
- Meals on Wheels of Alameda County – $10,000
Contra Costa County/ Solano County
- Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano – $54,000
San Francisco County/ Marin County
- San Francisco-Marin Food Bank – $46,000
Napa County
- Community Action of Napa Valley – $15,500
Sonoma County
- Food for Thought – $2,500
- Redwood Empire Food Bank – $24,500
Together the nine Bay Area food banks and food distribution organizations received nearly $290,000 in charitable funding. Grant amounts consider county poverty and unemployment levels, using the California Department of Social Services’ formula, to promote equity among counties with higher need. Funding comes from PG&E shareholders, not customers.
The grants support comes during Hunger Action Month, a nationwide effort to raise awareness about hunger in America and inspire action to combat it. According to the California Association of Food Banks, while California produces nearly half of the nation’s fruits and vegetables, more than one in five residents do not know where their next meal will come from. Communities of color face even higher levels of food insecurity.
Supporting Emergency Preparedness
In addition to supporting local food banks throughout PG&E’s service area, the company has agreements with 25 local food banks in high fire-risk areas to provide food replacement during and up to three days after a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). These PSPS events may be called when dry, windy weather is forecast, and PG&E may need to turn off power in certain areas to prevent wildfires and keep customers safe.
You can find a food bank in your county here. Check with your local food bank to learn if they have income restrictions. Food is available while supplies last.
Meals on Wheels delivers meals to seniors enrolled in the program. Seniors who are enrolled and experience a PSPS will receive an extra meal for each day of a PSPS outage. You can enroll in Meals on Wheels in your area.
PG&E also opens Community Resource Centers during PSPS events to provide basic supplies, charging stations and information to customers. Transportation support, hotel accommodations and discounts may also be available. You can learn more here and sign up for outage alerts.
About The PG&E Corporation Foundation
The PG&E Corporation Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, separate from PG&E and sponsored by PG&E Corporation.
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than sixteen million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information,
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