SDHC aims to provide you the tools to connect to available food assistance in San Diego County. Click on the images below to learn about each food assistance program, who is eligible, and how to apply.
Eligible parties for CalFresh:
U.S citzenship
Green card holders
Refugee, asylum, or parolee status
A U-Visa or T-Visa
Types of Food Assistance
SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) helps families buy food for their school-aged children during the summer.
School breakfast and school lunch is free to all K-12 students in California.
WIC provides support for pregnant and recently pregnant women, and children ages 0-5.
Meals are available for adults aged 60 and older. Home delivered meals are available for home-bound adults aged 60 and older.
Food Distributions provide shelf-stable staples and fresh foods. They are available to all San Diego residents, and many have drive-thru or home delivery options.
What is CalFresh?
CalFresh provides extra money for groceries to help buy food while money is tight.
Learn more about the CalFresh program, who is eligible, and how to connect to benefits HERE
What is WIC?
WIC provides breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and money for healthy food for pregnant and recently pregnant women, and children ages 0-5. Watch this short video to learn more.
SUN Bucks (Summer EBT)
SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT (S-EBT), is a new program to help families buy food for their school-aged children during the summer. Families will get $120 for each eligible child to buy groceries during the summer. Families must use SUN Bucks within 122 days of funds being loaded to their card. Children who get SUN Bucks can still participate in other summer meal programs. SUN Bucks will not affect immigration status.
What Do I Need To Know About School Meals?
Starting in school year 2022-2023, school breakfast and school lunch is free to all K-12 students in California. Though meals are free, it is still important for families to fill out their meal application forms.
Summer Meals are free for all children and meal locations can be found each year by visiting: NoKidHungry.org/Help or NoKidHungry.org/Ayuda
Where Can I Find Meals for Seniors?
Meals are available for adults aged 60 and older. Home delivered meals are available for home-bound adults aged 60 and older. Watch this video to find out how to access meals for older adults.
Food Distributions
Helpful Links
Want to find a food distribution near you? Visit either one of the food bank's interactive maps below to find more information.
Getting Help from Food Banks and Pantries
Food pantries and distributions provide shelf-stable staples and fresh foods. They are available to all San Diego residents, and many have drive-thru or home delivery options. Watch this video to find out more.
Finding Food Assistance
There are many ways to access food assistance when money is tight. Our flyers describe available food resources in San Diego County, are updated every 3 months, and offered in 13 languages. Below are flyers for the county and select communities.
Mt. Empire (2 languages)
Escondido (2 languages)