Fallbrook Food Pantry

ProtoStar made a $5,000 emergency grant from its COVID-19 Relief Fund for Nonprofits to the Fallbrook Food Pantry.  Since March 16, 2020, the number of families needing assistance with food has skyrocketed at the Fallbrook Food Pantry (as it has at other food banks all over the country).  Yet, donations have not kept up with the increase in the number of families served.  A contribution from ProtoStar’s COVID-19 Relief Fund would hopefully help make up the difference.

Job Losses from COVID-19

It was reported on April 30, 2020 that over 30 million unemployment claims have been filed in the United States since mid-March when the COVID-19 pandemic practically shut down the world economy – and the number of claims is expected to continue to climb.  As a result, food pantries across the country have seen a staggering increase in the number of families seeking food.  We have all seen aerial pictures of long lines of people and cars hoping to receive enough groceries for the week.  Sadly, many of those families are seeking help from a food bank for the first time.

Of the 3.2 million residents in San Diego County, 486,000 persons were already suffering from food insecurities in 2019.  Approximately 163,000 were children.  The COVID-19 pandemic has compounded an already difficult social and economic injustice, for nobody should have to go hungry, especially not in one of the wealthiest countries in the world.

While many individuals and corporations have generously donated money to food banks in these extraordinary times, the percentage increase in donations has not kept up with the surging demand for food.  Consequently, many food banks have had to make special appeals for additional donations and/or reach into their own cash reserves in order to make up the difference.

Fallbrook Food Pantry

One such example is the Fallbrook Food Pantry, a 501(c)(3) organization.  Located about an hour north of downtown San Diego (but still part of San Diego County), Fallbrook is a largely rural community with a population of about 30,000.  Recently, it has experienced an increase in the number of retirees.  Additionally, many senior centers and retirement homes are being built to service the aging population.

The Fallbrook Food Pantry is the only free service where families in need could receive groceries in the Greater Fallbrook area, which includes not only Fallbrook, but also the adjacent communities of Bonsall, DeLuz, Rainbow, and Pala.  The organization is distributing approximately $150 worth of food per family a week.   It serves about 4,730 seniors annually.  Approximately 40% of those served are children.  The families who depend on the Fallbrook Food Pantry for their weekly groceries are racially diverse:

• • Hispanic (41.8%)

  • African American (26.6%)

  • Asian (10%)

  • White (21.6%)

Since March 16, 2020, the Fallbrook Food Pantry has seen a large increase in the number of families and individuals seeking food.  It estimates that the increase in distribution is currently about 20-25% more than normal.  As of this writing, this upsurge translates into approximately 270 households, or about 961 individuals who now depend on Fallbrook Food Pantry for their grocery needs every week.  These numbers are expected to rise in the coming months.

As with many other food banks, the amount of donations has not kept up with the demand for food.  As result, the Fallbrook Food Pantry is holding fund drives and appealing to foundations, governmental agencies, individuals, and other funders for grants and contributions.

ProtoStar’s COVID-19 Relief Fund for Nonprofits

As with virtually every other nonprofit organization, the adverse financial impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the Fallbrook Food Pantry has been severe.  Foundation grants and individual contributions have come to a near standstill.  Funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) has stalled.  Some local relief funds, such as San Diego’s Small Business Relief Fund, exclude nonprofit organizations.

Fearing that smaller nonprofit organizations might get left behind, on March 28, 2020, ProtoStar established the COVID-19 Relief Fund for Nonprofits.  ProtoStar’s COVID-19 Relief Fund is specifically intended to assist smaller nonprofits with net liquid assets below $250,000 and net revenues of less than $100,000 in 2019.

The Fallbrook Food Pantry has properly demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic has had an adverse impact on its finances and meets the criteria for funding from ProtoStar’s Relief Fund for Nonprofits.

ProtoStar’s Interests

This grant furthers ProtoStar’s interests in assisting small nonprofit organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic and addressing issues relating to Socioeconomic Justice.  More so now than ever, we encourage foundations, individuals, and other funders to join us in supporting their local food banks by contributing money, donating food, and/or volunteering their services.