Time and again without fail, this organization is here to help people that are truly in need. They provide local support to thousands of people on a daily basis. If you are considering a donation, please do consider that Second Harvest provides food and services throughout the entire year and not only around the holiday season. They have been a crutch throughout the pandemic of 2020, but their impact has not been limited to this year. SHSV have always been a huge contributor to the area, and the pandemic has just increased the number of people in need. I cannot say it enough; this truly is a remarkable organization.
My family volunteered at SHFB last Saturday, and it was a wonderful experience. Very well organized, and many other enthusiastic families participated. We sorted and boxed more than 15,000 pounds of fruit for distribution. Everyone had a positive and meaningful experience. Great organization!
This is first time we volunteer at the Food Bank as a family. My husband and I volunteer here in the past through work. The employees are super nice and friendly from beginning to end. The organizer sent details email explaining what to bring, to wear etc. She also send reminder a few days before the event. On the event day, everyone is very friendly and knowledgable about what they the FoodBank do and provide. It helps all of us understand the process, and where those food are served to. My entire family had a great time and my kids want me to sign them up for every event they can go. Thank you.
I helped set up a food distribution at a school. We turned giving out food into a celebration and community gathering. It was incredible how many personal connections were made between volunteers and patrons.
Second Harvest is one of the best local organizations one can be part of. For clients they offer a wide variety of foods with the largest offerings of fresh produce that I've seen from food banks. I work with them to connect food resources to college students experiencing food insecurity in San José; their staff are amazing, flexible and trustworthy.
I think it’s amazing the work they are able to do and the sheer size and amount of people they are able to serve is astonishing. It’s great to see how they’ve also been able to loop in the local community to give back to those that are less fortunate through the variety of food distribution and education programs (not to mention how organised the entire process is!). I love knowing that we’re helping to contribute to the community education of leading healthier lives while also making sure they’re fed well. What good is empty fillers for our community’s growing population?
SHFB makes it so easy and rewarding to volunteer. Everyone there is friendly and helpful. You leave with an understanding of the impact your volunteer time has on the community. I have volunteered on my own and with teams at work.
I have volunteered a dozen times at Second Harvest in San Jose, usually with a group of a dozen or ore friends, and it is always clean, safe and well-organized. every time the staff are friendly, and we get a ton of work done, sorting food or doing other tasks inside the warehouse. I highly recommend it, and it's been a few years, so it is time for me to go back.
I have done 2 food sorts with Second Harvest at 2 different locations and was amazed both times at the scale and orderliness of their operation. I have also worked with them to put on a food and fund drive at my company, and it was quite successful thanks to the good rapport that the folks at SHFB and I built and time and effort that both parties put in to pull it off. Second Harvest rocks!
Fantastically run non-profit making a great impact in the local community. I was very impressed at how organized they are - felt that every minute was focused and productive. Looking forward to bringing my co-workers back!
I work at GoDaddy and have volunteered at Second Harvest Food Bank several times over the past two years. It's a wonderful opportunity for me and my co-workers to give back and spend time helping others. The staff at Second Harvest Food bank are amazing. They're always very welcoming, caring and helpful. It also provides a nice opportunity to spend quality time out of the office with other GoDaddy employees. I'm happy to be able to contribute my time to hopefully bringing joy to others. I'll definitely be volunteering more in the future!!
I lead a team from GoDaddy that volunteers at Second Harvest every quarter. It's a great team-building time because it gives us a chance to get to know others in the office, including folks that we don't work with on a day-to-day basis. Whenever we're volunteering, everyone on the team is smiling, laughing, and having a good time. We're having fun, while also making a difference in the community. The Second Harvest team is well-organized, so we feel like our time there is productive. Second Harvest also does a great job of helping us understand the impact we've made with our volunteering, and with donations. I've brought my family along to some of our volunteer events, and now my college-age kids want to go back and volunteer at Second Harvest on their own.
Second Harvest is an incredibly well run organization! We thoroughly enjoyed our volunteer experience with them and the tour that they gave us of their facilities. It is clear how well they execute their vision each day with enthusiasm and energy. Very happy to have met the great folks at Second Harvest and look forward to collaborating with them more in the future.
This was the second time I helped volunteer at the Second Harvest food Bank. The employees are very friendly and helpful, with a lot of knowledge and experience about how Second Harvest helps our communities. I loved volunteering and am planning another volunteer day in January to help make an impact where we need it most.
Second Harvest helps so many people, especially but not exclusively around the holidays. Great organization!
Thank you for all you do to help our community. I have seen friends and family fall on short times and you have been there for them during the times that count.
THANK YOU!
Second Harvest Food Bank delivers almost 15 tons of fresh produce to my agency at 6am *every* Monday morning. We have 50+ volunteers that come to bag it up and place in our client’s cars as they drive through from 8am-5pm, SHFB allows us to provide huge bags of fresh fruits and vegetables to almost 1000 low-income households in our community. Every Single Monday. Thank You SHFB!! ❤️
We love doing corporate team volunteer events with SHFB!! Their staff is always so supportive, helpful and accommodating every single time we visit. Our group votes to volunteer at SHFB year after year!!
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I have had the pleasure of managing Second Harvest programs in our South Bay office for the last 8+ years. During this time, I have had the opportunity to work closely with their caring and dedicated staff to bring awareness and support to our ever expanding employee base. Due to their tireless efforts and creative thinking, our company’s giving and volunteering has multiplied by leaps and bounds to levels only imagined 8 years ago. Not only is Second Harvest an incredible organization to support, their staff is absolutely amazing!!!!
I’ve been a volunteer at Second Harvest for 2+ years. I was amazed to learn that SHFB has MANY volunteers who have given 10-20+ years of volunteer service. Wow! I think this speaks volumes about the organization and how well it is run. The goal is to help those who need food get it, while being respectful, friendly and helpful. Everyone I’ve encountered at SHFB shows this spirit, regardless of their role. I look forward to my volunteer hours every week as a result.
I like Second Harvest Food Bank! I've volunteered there for years, and I've seen first hand how they serve the community. I really like the fact that they have a Healthy Food policy and they're really focused on providing nutritional food for their clients.
I volunteered with Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties for a few months and was very impressed by them! They really do care about the community and helping the people that make it up. They will not judge you on any level because they are truly there to help. I would recommend volunteering or seeking resources and help from Second Harvest! Everyone needs help at some point, so no one should ever be turned away.
Second Harvest is an incredibly well organized nonprofit that has helped our community and beyond.
Keep up the amazing work you do. I feel so fortunate to have been able to help on many occasions. Thank you for all you do to lift our community up.
Had a great time as a Food Sort volunteer, met some great people, and it feels good to help people in need.
It's wonderful to see this organization is also highly rated by Charity Navigator.
I volunteer monthly at SHFB and always leave feeling better than when I arrived. We sort & box produce, label cans, sort barrel donations, or whatever is needed when we get there. When my daughter turned 14 she started volunteering with me and now has an appreciation for giving back to the community. I also volunteer for a couple partner agencies so I see where boxes of produce end up as it's repacked for distribution or prepared as a meal. When I see where this food ends up, I fully appreciate the broad impact of SHFB. It's been at least 8 years since I started volunteering at SHFB and I hope to continue for many more.
I am both a donor and volunteer with Second Harvest. I love coordinating members of my club to come work at Second Harvest on a Saturday morning. We get pretty dirty sorting cans and filling boxes, but we leave with such satisfaction knowing that our work will help people in our community. I also coordinate food donations at the holidays, as well as personally donating monthly. It's important to me that Second Harvest works locally in my community, helping those in need.
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I have supported Second Harvest financially for many years. In the last couple of years I've added volunteering at their site doing food distribution: sorting cans and bagging goods. I always leave the Second Harvest site feeling wonderful, I know I've made a difference in someone's life - the work is so direct to the needs of my community! The work is easy and fun. I coordinate volunteer work for my local democratic club and we try to be at Second Harvest a couple times a year. What I personally like best about Second Harvest is how their work is used in my local community. Rita, the organizer at Second Harvest in San Carlos, always starts the Saturday morning food sorts by telling the volunteers where the food is going and how much our work counts. We do the work that would cost this organization thousands of dollars a year (actually I think it's much, much more than that, more like $1m/year). As a financial supporter too, I know that my money is used well, with the majority going towards providing food in my community. What I don't see is wasteful mail with mailing labels, etc. that I receive from so many other groups. Second Harvest is one of the main groups I support each year and I highly recommend them to my family and friends.
Second Harvest Food Bank is such a wonderful place to be at. Great opportunities to volunteer and get food. The staff is so kind hearted and always more than happy to help with whatever is needed.
Second Harvest Food Bank reaches out to the community to make sure that food is available to all that are hungry. They reach into the communities of both Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. They also link agencies with disaster preparedness. I have worked with them through 3 agencies. I do not have pictures or video, but I am honored to be even acquainted with them.
Bonnie Miller
SHFB is a great i have been on both sides of the table being the person in need of the assistance and was able to receive fresh produce and other grocery needs with out feeling like i was getting some left overs that no one else wanted and was able to present them to my family and feel proud. Then in my employment when i found that we worked with SHFB and and I was going to be able to present these same fresh items to my clients and they appreciated them it was a good feeling for me and my team of coworkers good job SHFB keep up the great work
As a retired Parole Agent, I have often referred my parolees and their families to the Second Harvest Food Bank for resources.
Even my own mother, who lives on a modest income, swears by and partakes in the Brown Bag for Seniors and the discounted hot meals at the Senior Center in East Palo Alto, CA. The Second Harvest Food Bank has enhanced the quality of life of Seniors and families in San Mateo & Santa Clara counties.
I have never worked with a non-profit like Second Harvest before. They truly care about the community and it's needs. Our families receive so much help from Second Harvest. Their employees are exceptionally helpful and good-hearted.
Having both volunteered and been a consumer at SHFB I would like to say it is one of the most vital and humane non-profits out there. I want to mention expressly, the local harvest of neighborhood fruit trees and say that this is some of the healthiest and best-tasting food I have encountered at any place. Volunteers are well-supervised and rewarded, and the staff is caring, professional, and helpful at every turn, including referrals to other resources above and beyond the call of their duties. They are superb in every way.
I have volunteered once a week at SHFB Cypress location for 9 months now. I work at the reception desk, where I get a bird's eye view of all the activities that go on here. I get to meet SHFB Staff, Donors, Volunteers, and Clients. And they're all wonderful people. It is very gratifying to be a small part of this great organization which is helping SO many in our community who don't have enough food.
Very friendly staff. Always great selection of food. Easy to walk out with a smile on your face. Everyone there seems passionate about their work and is very genuine!
WHEN I'VE NEED SOME ASSISTANCE WITH GROCERIES BECAUSE I WAS HUNGRY THEY HELPED WITH FOOD WHICH I APPRECIATE VERY MUCH
I have worked at Second Harvest for over 32 years. I appreciate working at an organization with a mission to end hunger and has a heart.
This nonprofit is so amazing and inspiring! Food is a right not a privilege and the work they do to help feed the community with nutritious sustenance is awe-inspiring!
My family has been contributing to and volunteering at the Second Harvest Food Bank for 2 years. We are incredibly impressed with the organization. Not only is Kathy Jackson a fantastic leader, but she has built a team of passionate and engaged staff. When we give to Second Harvest, we know that we are making a direct and positive impact on the health and happiness of families in our community.
VERY disappointing. We went to discuss their outreach with families and they spent the majority of the time promoting the local "talent" industry people in music and fashion than they did discussing the needs of low income and homeless people in the area who get a tax write off to help. VERY DISAPPOINTING. Many lovely charities in the area that are far more interesting in reaching and helping those who struggle.
I cannot say enough great things about Second Harvest Food Bank! The staff is extremely friendly, the food they supply to clients is fresh and nutritious, and they truly make each dollar count. The volunteer opportunities are great team-building events for groups and they make you feel like your efforts are truly valuable. The food bank also works hard to create partnerships throughout the community and engage every stakeholder in an attempt to not only provide food for every person who needs it but to create systemic change.
Second Harvest is a model that other food banks across the country should be looking to emulate in terms of food quality, efficiency of distribution and general customer service to the public.
We have been donating to Second Harvest Food Bank for years, and we are consistently impressed by the thoughtful and efficient work that they do to deliver healthy and nutritious food to families in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.
I've been involved with a number of non-profits as a donor and board member. Though I'm not on the board at SHFB, I appreciate how well run the organization is and how successful they execute on their mission. I always know that a donation to SHFB will be put to good use feeding people in need with no waste or inefficiency. Easiest check I write each year.
i have volunteered sorting food or running food drives for the past 11 years, and enjoyed my experience with Second harvest food bank. Then this year I was even more blessed to have the opportunity to work within the organization for 9 months supporting the community relations and events department. I saw that their employee's truly love what they do by helping the community and people in need. they are always looking to spread the word to help others and it's contagious. What a great organization to have in our area.
For the last four years, we have helped fund SHFB's SNAP program with great results. I feel very fortunate to work with such terrific partners -- responsive, innovative and transparent.
I've worked with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties for more than 10 years. I've run company food drives, volunteer days, and distributed food. Nobody should go hungry in Silicon Valley, and Second Harvest is making that goal a reality.
We just signed up for a food drive and cannot wait to get our barrels. Our staff is so excited to work with Second Harvest and we are looking forward to giving back to our community. We are thankful to have such a trusted organization as SHFB to work with to help us all when we need it.
SHFB is the best run non-profit that I have ever seen. The leadership team makes sure that every dollar counts and they are driven to make the meals healthy. The team also has an incredible ability to interact well with clients, donors, farmers and volunteers while maintaining a positive attitude. It feels great to give to SHFB - it matters!
Remarkable leadership and execution of mission. Excellent brand awareness because of its stellar work.
Love working with the staff at SHFB!! I get to plan lots of last minute community sharing activities and I know that I can always count on SHFB to accommodate my groups whether they are big or small. Everyone always leaves there feeling confident that we've made a difference!!
I have been volunteering at the Second Harvest Bing Center for about three years, first as a volunteer and then as a team leader. It has been a very enlightening and inspiring experience. The staff is first rate; creating a positive and friendly environment for the volunteers while educating them about the unbelievable number of hungry people serviced by Second Harvest. They consistently provide all the help and support we team leaders need to do our jobs, which ensures that the volunteers have a very positive experience. Second Harvest is the best.
Being as a volunteer @ the San Carlos location in the last 5 years, I never realized how much I helped with the people in needs. I really enjoy being there and my heart is free with joy everytime I help. :)
I started out as a volunteer and just recently became a team leader...I've done a great deal of volunteering in my lifetime and this is the best run, most rewarding non-profit that I have encountered. The work to be done is so well organized and the people so friendly and fun that the time flies by. Every time I have worked at SHFB I come away feeling that I have done something worthwhile and that my time and effort has been appreciated.
The beauty of Second Harvest is in its simplicity and the basic ingredients of its business model. It addresses a most basic need of food for disadvantaged folks. Besides relying on the generosity of the public at large for donations, it also connects companies to its endeavors by enlisting their support for their food transportation needs. And it engages people in their cause by asking their help to organize and screen the food in preparation for delivery. By casting such a wide net of participation in our community, they accomplish their objective and they educate and connect a wide group of people about the issue of those living around us that don't have enough to eat. And in no time at all, a bunch of volunteers can make a difference. It is a great experience to see what a bunch of humans can accomplish in the space of three hours.
I had a year of volunteering with the food back of San Mateo second harvest
I worked up. To being a team leader and was welcomed from the beginning
As a value for their effort. I was amazed over the months
I was there how many people I met and the glow that it put on
Peoples faces. from community service workers to local regular volunteers
We were all doing something importent something that we believed
In and knew that people were being fed because
We cared. I have a physical limitation but they welcomed
Me and used me to help others. Rita and the others were good freinds
While I was there. Defiantly the best volunteer
Experience possible.
Erik McCready
Egm@sonic.net
I have been a volunteer team leader in San Carlos for almost 5 years. I love working with Rita, Rudy and the other team leaders. We try to make it a fun environment so the volunteers have a great experience and want to come back. Everyone truly cares about each other, the volunteers and the community.
I've volunteered with the San Carlos location for more than 7 years as a team leader. The employees are easy to work with, the tasks are always changing but easy to follow and explain to other volunteers. I've learned much more about food insecurity in a supposedly wealthy area and love to bring new volunteers to a fun and rewarding organization and to help explain the Food Bank's mission when I'm out in the community with other non-profits.
I had always wanted to volunteer at Second Harvest and finally got the opportunity to do so with current company I am contracting with. From the moment our small group entered their building to begin volunteering, we were greeted warmly and given instructions. We were then led to area to help sort and package food. The coordinator here was very friendly and informative. We all got busy and the time flew by! Afterwards we all felt a great feeling of accomplishment and hope to return again next quarter or sooner if possible! Thanks for allowing us to help out!
It was very easy to find a day to volunteer and fun to work with other volunteers sorting and packing apples. It was quick and yet so rewarding!
They are a crucial safety net for those who are food insecure, most importantly in the summer months when schools are closed. As a donor they have been responsive to any questions and concerns. They do a good job with using social media to promote their purposes.
I was a high powered executive that always wanted to volunteer. When a break in my career allowed me to join the Second Harvest Brown Bag program, I seriously underestimated what it would mean to me personally. The professionalism of the Second Harvest staff is unmatched in Silicon Valley. The dedication and camaraderie of volunteers forms life-long friendships. Most important is the consistent, quality service provided to the members of the Brown Bag program. Our particular site provided approx. 20 lbs. of healthy food to over 100 low income seniors every week! Thank you Second Harvest.
I have been volunteering for over 10 years as the Site Chair for the Brown Bag Program.
It has been very rewarding.
Second Harvest Food Bank staff provide the tools and support for the volunteers.
It is a great program for the community.
Second Harvest Food Bank came to my attention a few years ago. I am continually in awe of their mission, how incredibly hard they work, and how effectively they produce results. Second Harvest feeds large numbers of people - adults and children - who have nowhere else to go, and those numbers are growing substantially every year. Second Harvest gives people more than food; they give them a leg up, hope, and a way to climb out of an impossible life situation- not enough to eat.
I have been a volunteer for the past 3 years. I started out as a member, but when hearing that one of the volunteers had passed away, I jumped right in. Seeing the happy faces of the Senior Citizens that we help each week is amazing. They all know me and I spend half my time getting hugs. This is the greatest reward of all for being a member of Second Harvest Brown Bag Program. I never knew being retired could be so rewarding.
My wife and I have been volunteering for over 7 years, 5 of those as site chairs for the Brown Bag Program.
Our relationship with the staff at SHFB has been exceptional. They respond to our needs in a timely manner and are genuine in their appreciation of the work done by all the volunteers.
The camaraderie we feel working with the volunteers and clients at our site make it a very worthwhile experience.
As Onsite Coordinator of United American Banks' Community Food and Fund Drive since Janaury 2012, It's been my honor and pleasure to work with the fantiastic nonprofit, Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. Jennie Nguyenly, SHFB Coordinator, and her staff are exceptionally committeed to serving needy families up an down the peninsula! I have no hesitation in recommedning SHFB of Santa Clara & San Mateo Counties to the fullest and look forward to working with them for years to come!
Sincerely,
Marcie Mitchell
Executive Administrative Assistant
United American Bank
Second Harvest Food Bank has a well-deserved reputation as one of the most effective organizations in feeding the hungry in Silicon Valley. Its operations are efficient, and one of my husband's and my criteria for donation involves the percentage of money donated that actually goes to HELP people, as opposed to being gobbled up by administrative costs.
I hope Second Harvest continues to be funded for a very long time. If it weren't here, many people who need assistance would not be able to get it.
--Barbara Saxton
My experience volunteering at Second Harvest Food Bank was nothing short of exceptional. Last summer, I worked at Second Harvest through the Haas Center for Public Service at Stanford University to help connect eligible residents to the CalFresh (food stamp) program from both a case management and marketing perspective. It was during my fellowship that I witnessed that the Food Bank certainly exceeds expectations when it comes to meeting the needs of hungry residents in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. But what intrigued me the most was the empathy and dedication to the community that each and every staff member exuded. Never have I seen a group of more hard-working individuals who are united by a common goal.
Second Harvest is, I believe, the biggest and possibly the only food bank on the peninsula. The amount of food they provide and the number of people they provide it to is/are phenomenal . I called the San Carlos location to see about volunteering 2 years ago, and was immediately welcomed and given things to do that I feel allow me to make a meaningful difference there. They are very flexible about having volunteers work in departments and on projects that feel like the best fit to them. And you don't feel like "just a volunteer"-- you feel like a part of the organization. The staff and the other regular volunteers are across the board nice, friendly, hard-working, smart and dedicated. Volunteers are essential to keeping things going at Second Harvest, because they are very lean in terms of employees.
I have been volunteering with SHFB for over 10 years and continue to do so because of many reasons. First, the staff at SHFB really goes all out with the volunteers and genuinely cares about us and appreciates what we do. They bend over backwards to make sure we are happy there. I actually feel bad when I cannot get there on my days of volunteering. And I can honestly say some of the staff are now my friends. We have done things outside of SHFB. Second, I just believe wholeheartedly that SHFB is really helping our community. Their employees believe in the cause too. The employees are passionate about what they do and strive to make each person in need of food get a meal. My volunteering at SHFB has enriched my life and my children's life (they have volunteered there too). I would highly encourage anyone to volunteer at SHFB.
I continue to bring my team back to Second Harvest again and again, and have been doing so for over 10 years. It is fabulous to be able to work with an organization that helps people directly, in our own community. To be face-to-face with the fact that hunger is an issue in a community like Silicon Valley is eye-opening, and we are truly blessed to be able to give back in a meaningful way, in just one morning or afternoon! The staff is amazing, they keep us happy and motivated, and it never hurts that they spur on a little "internal competition" between the Cisco teams to see who can sort and box the most food! It is a very fun teambuilding experience which allows you to get to know your teammates outside of the traditional work environment, and I have appreciated that greatly over the years. And, we all leave very happy knowing that we've done the community a lot of good in the process!
I have coordinated food sorts for our company Maxim Inetegrated for years. I try to get our employees involved in 2 sorts each quarter and allow them and Maxim to help give back to the community and help Second Harvest great cause.
It is easy, fun, great to get to know others in your company in a fun meaningful way, and do a small part to make a different in our part of the world.
The staff at Second Harvest is incredible and so easy to work with. They work around your schedule and make it a great experience that employees want to do again and again.
Keep up the great work and we will be back for all the years to come I work with Maxim.
Best regards,
Jeff Thomas
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed volunteering at the Food Bank. I am so happy to see that the Food Bank provides food to seniors who are in need week after week, year after year. And little me, who has the privilege to participated in helping people too. Not only does the Food Bank provide basic needs for seniors, they also give comfort to low income families and homeless people through out the community. Truly, the Food Bank makes those people feel that someone cares.
Thank you for all the good work you do to help make this a better society.
I have been bringing faculty, staff and students from Santa Clara University to volunteer at the Second Harvest Food Bank for the past three years. We were looking for an opportunity to do something good for the community while doing some team-building outside of my research lab & the classroom. Usually, 5-10 of us pack fruits & veggies into boxes to be distributed to people in need. We started at the Curtner facility and have been volunteering more recently at the First Street facility. At both locations, the front office staff was always very cheerful and welcoming. Our volunteer coordinator, Colleen, was always there to greet us and help us get started. The Second Harvest Food Bank staff always took a few minutes in the beginning to remind us of the need for food for the hungry and how the Food Bank survives largely on the efforts of volunteers (like us!). We often get a chance to work alongside people from a diversity of places (local high school students, tech companies, college sports clubs, etc.). it's always a very positive vibe in the warehouse when we're packing food, but at the same time, everyone is motivated to work hard sorting the edible from the rotten fruits & veggies, building boxes, then weighing and stacking them. Colleen often comes down and takes a photo or two of our group and is always very quick to email them to me so I can share with my colleagues. Several of her photos are scrolling on the Department of Biology's website! As our 1.5-2hrs comes to an end, one of the warehouse staff announces how many pounds of food we prepared for distribution and we trade our paper name tags for a refreshing bottle of cold water. My lab has benefited greatly from the opportunity and we hope to continue to volunteer for several years to come.
It amazes me how successful our Bay Area community is, and how at the same time, families in our same community, struggle to purchase groceries. I have been a supporter of Second Harvest for more than 10 years and I also communicate with them frequently. This organization is one of our best and well-run. Each time I participate in a Second Harvest event, they maintain the same level of excitement, love and enthusiasm for their supporters. They are organized, dedicated and their well-trained staff and volunteers are a pleasure to partner with. Thank you Second Harvest for taking care of our community!
Susana Meisenhelder
Maxim Integrated
Program Manager, HR
For the past 14 years, I've been honored to be a nonprofit partner and now a board member for Second Harvest Food Bank. During that time, Second Harvest has always been a leading advocate for food and nutrition in our community, and they have scaled their mission to meet the rising needs in Silicon Valley. Kathy Jackson, Executive Director, and the dedicated staff are innovators in the nonprofit sector, engaging business leaders and community members to work to solve hunger issues and shed light on the policy issues affecting nutrition. They truly are thought leaders.
Even though Silicon Valley is full of tech millionaires, we also have thousands of people who do not have enough to eat. Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties is effective, efficient and ever-focused on providing the best experience to their customers. There but for the grace of God go all of us, so I am so proud to support Second Harvest in good times and in bad.
This is the best run charity in our area. They are meeting a real need, and continue to serve the community well.
Our group at Cisco volunteers at SHFB at least once every quarter and participates in a food drive every year. Second Harvest is one of the greatest non-profit orgzanizations in the Santa Clara Valley. Their focus and dedication to helping the hungry has had an astronomical and profound effect on me personally.
I work with Second Harvest at various sites to let local residents know about their option to see if they qualify for CalFresh, the food stamp program. The residents are grateful to find out about it. At the same time, I let the residents know they may be eligible to pick up food, and where to call for more information. Second Harvest does a fabulous job in supporting me with what I do, and in how they operate overall. The hours are flexible. Second Harvest will let me know when they need extra help, so I have the option to be of greater service.
Second Harvest Food Bank serves a very basic need in our community and one that is foundational to serving higher level needs such as education, training, and healthcare. SHFB is one of the most efficient non-profits in terms of how much of each donated dollar directly benefits the intended recipients. SHFB is also one of the most progressive non-profits in its use of technology and strategies to met the needs of tomorrow.
Second Harvest is an amazing organization that gives people an opportunity to give back to others. The recipients are extremely great full. I have encouraged several people to volunteer and most have stayed. No experience is required and everyone benefits. It only takes a few hours once a week to make a difference. Give it a try!
It is always such a pleasure to volunteer with the folks over 2nd Harvest Food Bank - they always make it fun and most welcomed!
I wish I had more time to give!
I registered for team activity for my cisco team. We got the fruit sorting activity. It was great that we could help and devote our time for such a good cause. Thanks for SHFB for letting us help and providing the best , clean and safe environment for volunteering. The staff was very helpful and talked politely. If I get chance I will organize more such volunteer activities at SHFB.
My team at Cisco has volunteered a couple of times at Second Harvest of Santa Clara County. It was a great team building experience and fun, too. They explained well how our activity helped the local people that Second Harvest serves. We sorted fruit for Second Harvest that had been given to them by local farmers.
I've been coordinating volunteer events at second harvest almost on a quarterly basis since the facility opened on N. First St. in San Jose. This is one of the places in San Jose that can coordinate and hold teams of volunteers of 15 or more. It helps that the facility is conveniently located less than a block away. The Second Harvest staff are super-efficient and take what they do seriously. The volunteer activities vary each time we participate. We make sure to work hard all the while using the time as a great team building event because we know Second Harvest is an exceptional cause. We definitely feel accomplished when we hear the number of families that will be directly impacted by the short time we've spent volunteering.
I was first introduced to Second Harvest of Santa Clara and San Mateo counties when my company sponsored a food drive. From then on, I've had the opportunity to be involved in a variety of community projects. I hadn't realized how serious hunger issues are in my county, and how many people were in need. Understanding that, and how Second Harvest works through all it's partners to get needed food to EVERYONE gets me really energized.
I've worked with Second Harvest for many years through Cisco. Second Harvest does a wonderful job in explaining their goals for feeding the homeless; provides the best work environment for volunteers, and the staff is always pleasant, helpful, and knowledgeable. Most of all, they CARE about what they do and feel PROUD of the impact they make to the community. I also feel proud that I helped make a different in someone's life who's in need. A great team building opportunity, I always enjoy volunteering at Second Harvest.
Second Harvest Food Bank is an absolutely amazing organization that is so efficient in the way they approach providing nutritional needs for our community year-round. I have organized numerous volunteer activities for our team over the years as well as assisted with raising donations for this great cause. Second Harvest Food Bank is extremely organized and efficient with how they collect and distribute food, and the staff is a pleasure to work with. I don't know what this community would do without them. Hats off to all of the volunteers at Second Harvest Food Bank for playing such an integral role in helping our community.
When my husband and I donate to a charitable organization, the most decisive factor is how much of our donation goes directly to those in need. At Second Harvest, that criterion is met each and every day. And when the empty bins are delivered to my employer during food drives, it is a great feeling to know that when they are filled-up, all that food will be distributed promptly and efficiently to those people who need it most. This is an extremely well-run organization that can proudly state they truly make a difference.
Second Harvest Food Bank is an amazing organization that allows folks like me to give back to the community. My team and I set a goal to volunteer at least once a month, and we always have a good time working together. It's great that Second Harvest gives us this opportunity to collaborate as a team no matter how small or big my group is. They are very organized and accepting of any help they can get. The people that work at the food bank are friendly and informative about how beneficial our time is that we spend there. Even when our group interacts with other groups that are there, everyone just has a good time and leaves with a smile at the end. Sure, that water bottle at the end comes at a great time but truly knowing that what we did is making a difference is really what makes it all satisfying. I, as well as my team and anyone else I can convince to come along, will continue to come back.
I work at Cisco Systems and I am also the liaison for Cisco and Second Harvest and round up Cisco volunteers year-round to give back at Second Harvest. This liaison role is purely a volunteer one that comes from my heart and makes me feel like I'm making a difference to those in need. The staff (Kris, Colleen, Pete et al) are all wonderful people and work hard at making a difference for those in our community. Knowing that they partner up with other agencies in the county to help those in need is amazing! If you've never volunteered there before, you should as you are hooked after the first time and will want to go back for more. My kids loved helping out too. Just an AWESOME place with an AWESOME staff!
Volunteering here was great; they're very organized so you don't waste time standing around and the organizers are friendly and helpful.
My team has been volunteering at the food bank on a quarterly basis. It is well organized, and a great place to volunteer. They always let you know about how your work is helping the community. Great organization!
Second Harvest is great! I have done volunteer work there and I have also worked with the team to get a team of folks from my office to get do a group volunteer thing. All the times I have worked with the staff at SHFB, they have been friendly and professional and they do so much good for others. Also, the people who lead the volunteers give you good instructions so you are always left knowing what your role and job is during volunteer events. And the people who attend their events are quality people. This is truly an organization that deserves all of our support.
i came from algeria to San francisco to participate in a program with the state department for emerging leaders called techwomen just for one month, i was hosted at cisco, so the team that i work with asked me if i want to go and volunteer for this organisation, i said yes without hesitation, it is about charity where ever you are or you are from, and when i arrived and started working with the whole team, i was surprised, how can you be able to do something good for the humanity in a simple way and having fun with the team in the same time, it is one of the experience that i will not forget and for sure want to do it again and again ..
Second Harvest Food Bank has been a life-saver for so many families, especially in these last few years after the market crash. Families were left without jobs, and new jobs were hard to come by. Expenses were still extreme, and without the Second Harvest Food Bank, many families would go hungry.
I have been volunteering at Second Harvest for 5 years now. I am always impressed with how they adapt to the changing environment. Outstanding organization that I am very proud to work with. Not only do they distribute large amounts of food to their partner organizations, they also help individuals in need connect with additional services that are available in the community.
Second Harvest does such outstanding work in our communities. We can all be proud to have such a well-run organization serving our counties. It is amazing how the staff, volunteers, and donors can so effectively manage contributions of cash and food to fill the bellies of our hungry neighbors.
I appreciate the work Second Harvest Food Bank does in feeding hungry families in my community. We volunteered at the San Carlos warehouse last weekend as part of group and had a great time. I felt like my time was well spent and we'll probably volunteer again. The staff gave us a short overview of the program and what immediate needs they needed for the holidays. Then they went walked us through a training (we sorted food that was collected through donation barrels placed all over the Bay). It was difficult to remember all the sorting rules but all the staff were helpful and very patient with my many questions.
My family and organizations I work with have supported the Santa Clara Second Harvest Food for years. With youth groups, we’ve taken the tour which was an excellent experience and have hosted a drop-off site several times, including the lesser-known need for lunch supplies in summer. The process is so easy, the bins are dropped off and picked up, and then we got reports back about the amount of our donation.
With my own family, we’ve donated online, dropped off at stores and other local sites, and have done special grocery shopping and then driven to the main warehouse with frozen turkeys and canned goods. I appreciate that there are so many ways to help and it provided a great experience to share with my kids.
I have been donating to Second Harvest Food Bank for about three years now. I have great appreciation for what they are doing for the community through their various programs. It is a great non profit.
Volunteered here one day to help sort food. Spent the day preparing corn and bagging carrots. It was a fairly big warehouse and I'm certain they do good for people. My activity wasn't particularly exciting though; so I would probably spend my volunteer time somewhere else. I think the setup for that activity might have been able to be improved (more scissors, trash cans, and the sort) given the number of volunteers.
I have taken multiple student groups to volunteer at Second Harvest and it is a great organization! They make it so easy to get involved - the staff is patient and enthusiastic, and the kids get the experience of getting involved in something significant. Great organization!
2nd Harvest is highly lauded within the SF Bay area community, and recognized as a very effective way to assist people in your community that are struggling to feed themselves, for whatever reason. Definitely worth our support; make it an annual or semiannual practice!
I volunteer with Council on Aging and specifically with the HealthTrust Program distributing the Healthy Steps books. At one of our recent volunteer meetings I was very pleased to learn of the great working relationship and cooperation between Second Harvest and HealthTrust.
When you drive by Second Harvest Food bank it amazes you to think that this modest warehouse serves the city of San Jose. There are almost a million people in this city and I am proud to be one of the volunteers at Second Harvest. I have been volunteering through various employers over the years and have always been committed to contribute my time and donations as there is a lot of honest volunteers who know the value of their time when they come to assist.
I have volunteered at Second Harvest for several years and became aware of how prevalent hunger was in such a relatively affluent county. Silicon Valley can be a tough place to live when jobs are scarce. This organization is highly efficient, giving back 95% directly to the community! They do a wonderful job of utilizing volunteers in a fun and efficient way while focusing on the vision of eliminating hunger in the community.
I have been an intern for Second Harvest Food Bank for two non consecutive years and a volunteer at the warehouse with my fellow members from Key Club (another non profit organization). Michelle Berg has been an excellent mentor for me in being able to actively participate in the food bank in any way I can. From researching for possible grants for the Food Bank to writing up blogs about the food bank, I can honestly say that my experience at the food bank has not only been welcoming but genuine. The people serving their time are sympathetic, kind, and responsible. I enjoy meeting the various employers because they always have a smile on their face. I couldn't have asked for a better environment to serve my time as an intern and volunteer. The experience of actually helping the community is shown through the work that the employers provide for the food bank.
As a donor, we just wanted signage that said "part of these foods were funded by an Anonymous Taiwanese-American Atheist and Buddhist" They said no. so we are giving our money elsewhere. What is the difference between acknowledging a donation from someone whose name is obviously of an ethnicity and who is known in the area for a certain religion and our request? They said it would be a slippery slope. I said, "I think this is like the journalism standard for pornography? You know it when you see it. and this is not offensive. it's simply a statement of fact."
I toured the San Mateo warehouse and saw how the goods get processed and allocated to local nonprofits. I saw volunteers working to sort the produce. I heard about their efforts to get more fresh produce. Me and my kids went door to door to collect canned goods last winter.
I have been a volunteer at Second Harvest Food Bank in San Carlos since 1990. I'm a Volunteer Team Leader and help volunteers and staff during community food sorts. The food bank staff values its volunteers. Volunteers help get donated food sorted and boxed so community agencies can pick up the food and distribute to those people who are hungry in our community. I love working with volunteers and educating them about the giving help to those who need it.
After our father died, our mother supported three young girls on a clerical salary, leaving little money for extras. She struggled to make ends meet, feeding us flour and water biscuits with a small amount of jam the night before pay-day as that was all we had. I know first hand what hunger feels like. It is important to me as an adult of means to support the tremendous efforts of Second Harvest Food Bank in our community. They strive to offer fresh, nutritional, balanced food to the working poor, the seniors and to the hungry children in our community. They have a summer food drive to help feed children not enrolled in a school lunch program. And they do it on a shoestring!
Second Harvest Food Bank organisation has boosted the passion imparted in me to give back to the hungry to the highest level in every way. No other organisation, to my knowledge, is managed in the way that Second Harvest is. To be able to extend .96 out of every dollar to give back to feed the hungry is beyond what anyone could ask for. For that reason alone, I have emerged more passionate and more energized to contribute all that I can while rallying others to give generously back to the poor and to feed the hungry. I sincerely believe that Second Harvest is one of the most honorable organisations that that has risen to not only fight hunger, but will help eliminate hunger, first locally and then globally. No child, no woman and mo man should have to go without water and food. I believe these two essentials are everyone's birthright and what Second Harvest Food Bank strives for. Second Harvest will play a key role in the elimination of hunger, this is their destiny and my pledge to do my part to help them achieve this objective. With many thanks for affording me the opportunity to share my review o Second Harvest Stay Blessed! Cheers Carlos
I recently moved to the Bay Area from the east coast and at first had everything in order financially. But when my landlord decided to move unexpectedly, I had 30 days to find an inexpensive room for board in one of the most expensive areas in the country. I was already suffering from "sticker shock" every time I went to the grocery store and found my waist continuing to expand between regular visits to the McDonald's and Taco Bell value menus. Now the stress of finding a new place to rest my head while having no money for food sent me into a tailspin. There was a rocky month of homelessness and severe depression but thanks to a general hope in the future, I managed to persevere. Amid the "penny pinching" and the sleepless nights, the only thing I could count on looking forward to the next day was a hot lunch at the community center I visited during the week. Those meals that Second Harvest Food Bank provided to the community center were a godsend and were often the only meal I had during the week. I'm proud to be a "success story" as someone who is self-sufficient once more and won't have to feel the pangs of hunger before bed ever again. I'm forever grateful to the Food Bank, and the hundreds of other agencies it partners with, that made that time of trial more bearable. I encourage everyone to donate what they can whether it's $1 or $100 to help fight local hunger and provide the hope that the hungry in our community deserve. It made all the difference to me.
As a Parent Involvement and Leadership Facilitator at Hoover School in Redwood City, it's my role to facilitate meaningful opportunities for parents to be involved in the their child's education as well as in the community, while at the same time developing and/or increasing their leadership skills. I remember being very excited about the Second Harvest Produce Mobile being brought to our school. Why would I pass up the opportunity to have such a valuable and necessary service like this, considering the fact that most of the K-8 students at Hoover receive free or reduced lunch because of their low income status. Initially, I only thought about the impact to our school--Llittle did I realize that it was going to impact the entire community. We started off barely trying to get a list of 80 names and now, we have a little over 500! Of course, not all those people attend every month, but knowing that over time, at least 500 people have been served in this community, is something to be proud of! I think that initially people/organizations may stray away from brining in a service such as this simply because of the amount of work you need to put into making it successful. This shouldn't be an obstacle. At Hoover, I have managed to maintain a group of volunteer parents, mostly all women, who have come to lead and manage the drive every month. I have noticed how much some of these mom's have grown in their leadership abilities and that their confidence has soared. This drive has strengthened our families, our school, our community and our relationships with one another. When members of the Hoover community come into the school and see that it's their own neighbors who are helping to provide this service, it makes a huge difference on the experience. There's a great level of comfort and even a sense of camaraderie amongst one another. No one is here to judge or be judged; everyone is here to simply work together and help one another out. I can reassure you that if the parents weren't running the show, this drive wouldn't be as successful as it is now. As hard to believe as it may be, I actually look forward to this every fourth Friday of the month and I think it's because it feels like Thanksgiving Day each time. The Produce Mobile does more than provide fruits and vegetables to households all over the county--it provides us with a sense of community that these days, can be very hard to find.
I help at one of the Food Bank's Produce Mobile sites in San Mateo County. I had one elderly woman come up to me after getting her produce; she hugged me looked deeply into my eyes and said, “god bless you”. The people who come through our lines express deep gratitude for the produce they receive. One of our volunteers shared that he needed food for his family once, and was so grateful for the help he received that he wanted to give back. He has become one of our regular volunteers, who not only helps, but does so with such warmth, and dedication. For myself, I feel honored to work alongside these volunteers.
SHFB Digital 11/03/2015
This appears to be a review for a different Second Harvest Food Bank. We are a California-based food bank and do not host events promoting local music and fashion.