How do you get food from or volunteer at the San Diego Food Bank or Feeding San Diego?
Use either group's online map (San Diego Food Bank or Feeding San Diego) or call 2-1-1 to find a free distribution. To volunteer, book a shift online first: the Food Bank's minimum age is 11, Feeding San Diego's is 6 at its warehouse.
- Food Bank min. age
- 11
- Feeding SD min. age
- 6
- Holiday distributions
- 12
- Food help by phone
- 2-1-1
Ages 11-15 with a registered adult; 16+ solo
At the distribution center; 14 at community distributions
Feeding San Diego, Nov. 13 to Christmas week 2026
Free, 24/7; Food Bank line 1-866-350-3663
The short version
- The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank (Miramar and Vista warehouses) and Feeding San Diego (Sorrento Valley) both run free online maps of food distributions; 2-1-1 can also point you to one.
- Feeding San Diego says its distributions are first-come, first-served and some sites may ask for proof of residency; the Food Bank's Senior Food Program is for adults 60 and older.
- Food Bank volunteers must be 11 or older (16 to go solo); Feeding San Diego takes kids from 6 at its distribution center and 14 at community distributions, with chaperones.
- Feeding San Diego has 12 holiday food distributions running from November 13 through the week of Christmas 2026, with about 192,000 pounds of food.
- Every shift is booked in advance online. Feeding San Diego posts shifts a month out, and group Saturdays book 3 to 4 months ahead.
San Diego County has two large food banks, and people mix them up constantly: the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, with its main warehouse in Miramar and a second in Vista, and Feeding San Diego, headquartered in Sorrento Valley. Both hand out free food through hundreds of partner sites, and both run on volunteers. We checked both organizations' get-food, volunteer and FAQ pages, plus Feeding San Diego's 2026 holiday distribution schedule, on November 9, 2026.
How to find free food
Finding a distribution near you
- 01
Try the San Diego Food Bank map
On the Food Bank's Get Food page, enter your zip code, pick the days that work, and set how far you'll travel. Read each site's description before you go. Adults 60+ can toggle on Senior Food Program sites (red pins).
- 02
Or Feeding San Diego's Find Food Map
Feeding San Diego's Get Help page has its own zip-code map and a link to sites open right now. It also runs the FSD Marketplace at its Sorrento Valley headquarters, open monthly for no-cost groceries.
- 03
Call if the map is confusing
The Food Bank answers map and distribution questions at 1-866-350-3663, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Or dial 2-1-1, which Feeding San Diego describes as a free, 24/7 service.
- 04
Get a Food Bank ID Card if you'll go regularly
Some Food Bank pantry sites offer a one-time registration card for quicker pickups. You can register online or at a site that lists Food Bank ID Cards under its helpful tips.
Free holiday food in 2026
Feeding San Diego announced on November 5, 2026 that it is running 12 holiday food distributions from November 13 through the week of Christmas, giving away about 192,000 pounds of food, including turkey and produce, to more than 6,000 households. The sites posted so far:
| Date | Where | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fri., Nov. 13 | Emmanuel Faith Church, 639 E. 17th Ave., Escondido | 10 a.m.-noon |
| Sat., Nov. 14 | Serving Good, 2710 Alpine Blvd., Alpine | 9-11 a.m. |
| Sat., Nov. 14 | Feeding San Diego, 9477 Waples St., Ste. 100 | 10 a.m.-noon |
| Sat., Nov. 21 | Lincoln High School covered lot, 4777 Imperial Ave. | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. |
| Mon., Nov. 23 | Los Altos Elementary, 1332 Kenalan Dr. | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Mon., Nov. 23 | Poway Branch Library, 13137 Poway Rd., Poway | 3-5 p.m. |
| Fri., Dec. 11 | Bates Nut Farm, 15954 Woods Valley Rd., Valley Center | 2:30-4:30 p.m. |
| Sat., Dec. 12 | Feeding San Diego, 9477 Waples St., Ste. 100 | 10 a.m.-noon |
Fri., Nov. 13
- Where
- Emmanuel Faith Church, 639 E. 17th Ave., Escondido
- Time
- 10 a.m.-noon
Sat., Nov. 14
- Where
- Serving Good, 2710 Alpine Blvd., Alpine
- Time
- 9-11 a.m.
Sat., Nov. 14
- Where
- Feeding San Diego, 9477 Waples St., Ste. 100
- Time
- 10 a.m.-noon
Sat., Nov. 21
- Where
- Lincoln High School covered lot, 4777 Imperial Ave.
- Time
- 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Mon., Nov. 23
- Where
- Los Altos Elementary, 1332 Kenalan Dr.
- Time
- 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Mon., Nov. 23
- Where
- Poway Branch Library, 13137 Poway Rd., Poway
- Time
- 3-5 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 11
- Where
- Bates Nut Farm, 15954 Woods Valley Rd., Valley Center
- Time
- 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 12
- Where
- Feeding San Diego, 9477 Waples St., Ste. 100
- Time
- 10 a.m.-noon
From Feeding San Diego's holiday food page (updated November 6, 2026). It says more sites will be added and dates can change; holiday ingredients aren't available at every site.
How to volunteer: the two compared
Volunteering at each food bank
| San Diego Food Bank | Feeding San Diego | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Miramar warehouse, 9850 Distribution Ave.; North County warehouse, 2260 Oak Ridge Way, Vista; plus 30+ monthly offsite distributions | Distribution center, 9477 Waples St., Ste. 100 (Sorrento Valley), plus community distributions |
| Minimum age | 11. Ages 11-15 need a registered adult (18+) on the same shift; 16+ can go alone | 6 at the distribution center; 14 at community distributions. Kids need an adult chaperone (the page says under 16 in one place, 15 and under in another) |
| How to sign up | Create a VolunteerHub account, then book a specific shift | Individuals sign up through the volunteer portal; shifts post one month in advance |
| Groups | 5 or more: Group Volunteer Form. Fewer than 5: book as individuals on the same shift | 5 or more: interest form; staff reply in 3-5 business days. Weekday shifts take up to 15 |
| Shift length | Not published; shown when you book. You must stay the whole shift | Not published; shown when you book |
| Dress code | Closed-toe shoes required; warehouse isn't climate-controlled | Closed-toe shoes required for all shifts |
San Diego Food Bank
- Where
- Miramar warehouse, 9850 Distribution Ave.; North County warehouse, 2260 Oak Ridge Way, Vista; plus 30+ monthly offsite distributions
- Minimum age
- 11. Ages 11-15 need a registered adult (18+) on the same shift; 16+ can go alone
- How to sign up
- Create a VolunteerHub account, then book a specific shift
- Groups
- 5 or more: Group Volunteer Form. Fewer than 5: book as individuals on the same shift
- Shift length
- Not published; shown when you book. You must stay the whole shift
- Dress code
- Closed-toe shoes required; warehouse isn't climate-controlled
Feeding San Diego
- Where
- Distribution center, 9477 Waples St., Ste. 100 (Sorrento Valley), plus community distributions
- Minimum age
- 6 at the distribution center; 14 at community distributions. Kids need an adult chaperone (the page says under 16 in one place, 15 and under in another)
- How to sign up
- Individuals sign up through the volunteer portal; shifts post one month in advance
- Groups
- 5 or more: interest form; staff reply in 3-5 business days. Weekday shifts take up to 15
- Shift length
- Not published; shown when you book
- Dress code
- Closed-toe shoes required for all shifts
Typical Food Bank work is inspecting and bagging produce, packing food boxes and helping at offsite distributions. No experience is needed: each shift starts with a short orientation, and the Food Bank asks you to arrive 10 minutes early. Walk-ins aren't allowed at either place. The Food Bank says all visits must be scheduled in advance, no exceptions. Elementary school groups can't volunteer at the Food Bank, but can book a warehouse tour.
Can't give time? The San Diego Food Bank's 46th Holiday Food Drive takes nonperishables in red barrels at 70+ Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions stores through January 1, and at its Miramar and Vista warehouses on weekdays. For other kinds of help, from rent to utilities, see what 211 San Diego can do, and for holiday-week plans see Thanksgiving in San Diego 2026.
Is this still right?
We last checked this tip against its sources on November 9, 2026, and we re-research every tip on a schedule. Things in San Diego change, sometimes overnight.
Prices, fees, hours and rules change, often at the start of a year or season. Confirm with the official source linked below before you rely on a number.
This is general information, not legal, financial, tax, medical or safety advice.
KEEP READING
SOURCES
Everything above traces back to one of these. Follow them — if one has changed and we haven't, that's our mistake, not yours.
- PrimaryGet Food
San Diego Food Bank · Checked November 9, 2026
Zip-code map, Senior Food Program toggle, Food Bank ID Card, help line 1-866-350-3663 hours, income guideline PDFs
- PrimaryVolunteer
San Diego Food Bank · Checked November 9, 2026
Warehouse addresses, minimum age 11, VolunteerHub sign-up, orientation, arrive 10 minutes early, typical tasks
- PrimaryVolunteer FAQs
San Diego Food Bank · Checked November 9, 2026
Chaperone ratio 1:4, groups of 5+, 30+ monthly offsite sites, must schedule in advance, stay full shift, shoes, no climate control
- PrimaryHoliday Food Drive
San Diego Food Bank · Checked November 9, 2026
2026 drive: red barrels through Jan. 1 at 70+ stores; warehouse drop-off hours
- PrimaryFind the Help You Need
Feeding San Diego · Checked November 9, 2026
Find Food Map, first-come first-served, 2-1-1, FSD Marketplace monthly
Feeding San Diego · Published October 28, 2026; updated November 6, 2026
2026 holiday distribution dates, sites and times; proof of residency may be required
Feeding San Diego · Published November 5, 2026
12 distributions, about 192,000 lbs, 6,000+ households, Nov. 13 through Christmas week
- PrimaryVolunteer
Feeding San Diego · Checked November 9, 2026
Minimum ages 6 and 14, chaperone rules, shifts posted one month ahead, closed-toe shoes
- PrimaryGroup Volunteers
Feeding San Diego · Checked November 9, 2026
Groups of 5+, weekday cap of 15, Saturdays book 3-4 months ahead, reply in 3-5 business days, Waples St. address
FOX 5 San Diego · Published January 4, 2023
Thousands of holiday volunteers, then a January drop and urgent call for help