In the News
2025
Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County looking for volunteers
November 20, 2025 | CBS News
Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County launch emergency food distribution line
November 19, 2025 | KPIX
Second Harvest Santa Cruz County marks 50-years of service as state’s first food bank
November 19, 2025 | KPIX
Where your support matters most: 2025 Santa Cruz County nonprofits to watch
November 18, 2025 | Lookout Santa Cruz
CEO Roundtable: SNAP Shutdown Continues to Weigh Heavily on Food Banks
November 18, 2025 | Food Bank News
Lend A Hand In Watsonville: Holiday Volunteer Opportunities Near You
November 18, 2025 | Patch
Mayor’s Message – New season, new opportunities for Santa Cruz
November 15, 2025 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Food aid resumes after shutdown, but Santa Cruz County faces bigger challenges ahead
November 14, 2025 | Lookout Santa Cruz
County Agencies Scramble to Feed Hungry
November 14, 2025 | Times Publishing Group
Free Food Resources Available for Santa Cruz County Residents as CalFresh Benefits End
November 8, 2025 | News Break
Second Harvest Food Bank kicks off the Season of Giving in a time of unprecedented need
November 7, 2025 | Lookout Santa Cruz
Second Harvest launches holiday drive to deliver 5.5 million meals amid SNAP delays
November 7, 2025 | KSBW
Second Harvest adding sites, doubling volunteer shifts as demand for food surges after pause in SNAP benefits
November 7, 2025 | Lookout Santa Cruz
Second Harvest kicks off 2025 Holiday Food & Fund Drive
November 6, 2025 | KSBW
Santa Cruz Warriors Announce Community Partnership With Second Harvest Food Bank On Food Insecurity Initiative For the 2025-26 Season
November 6, 2025 | NBA G League
San Benito, Santa Cruz declare local emergencies, pledge combined $600,000 for food banks
November 6, 2025 | KSBW
Central Coast organizations stepping in during SNAP cuts—free food and discount guide
November 6, 2025 | KSBW
Santa Cruz County leaders pledge $1M to fight food insecurity amid federal shutdown
November 6, 2025 | Local News Matters
Santa Cruz County declares local emergency after SNAP lapse, approves up to $500,000 to Second Harvest
November 5, 2025 | Citizen Portal
Santa Cruz County supervisors declare local emergency, allocate up to $500K to support food distribution efforts
November 4, 2025 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Santa Cruz County, other agencies approve $1 million in donations to Second Harvest Food Bank
November 4, 2025 | Lookout Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz County food bank steps up as Cal Fresh benefits halt
October 31, 2025 | KSBW
Santa Cruz County: Supervisors to consider providing $500K to support Second Harvest Food Bank during CalFresh freeze
October 31, 2025 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Here’s where Santa Cruz County residents can access food when CalFresh benefits lapse
October 30, 2025 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Federal shutdown could leave 35,000 Santa Cruz County residents without CalFresh as food banks brace for surging need
October 20, 2025 | Lookout Santa Cruz
Nonprofits in ‘crisis response’ as federal shutdown continues
October 30, 2025 | The Pajaronian
Guest Commentary – Food Bank: Extraordinary times call for extraordinary people
October 29, 2025 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Here are resources for food banks on Central Coast, as millions face CalFresh funding cuts
October 28, 2025 | KSBW
Watsonville Gives Back: How To Make A Difference This Season And Beyond
October 28, 2025 | Patch
Exclusive: Funding for safety net services is evaporating in Santa Cruz County. Can local nonprofits soften the blow?
October 25, 2025 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Second Harvest delivers 10,000 grocery boxes through DoorDash partnership
October 23, 2025 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Newsom to deploy California National Guard after millions at risk of delayed food assistance in shutdown
October 22, 2025 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Lily Belli on Food: Food safety net under strain; vote for your foodie faves on the Lookout List; getting back into the hosting groove
October 21, 2025 | Lookout Santa Cruz
‘A very challenging time:’ SNAP cuts and lost funding deepen food insecurity in Santa Cruz County
October 16, 2025 | Lookout Santa Cruz
Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County nets $16,500 from PG&E grant
October 1, 2025 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Santa Cruz High student holds lemonade stand fundraiser for final time
September 29, 2025 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
‘You are not alone:’ Pajaro Valley Collaborative celebrates immigrant community, highlights resources in press conference
August 27, 2025 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
California Giant Berry Farms’ 19th Annual Skirt Steak BBQ a Success, Raises Nearly $50,000 for Local Nonprofits
August 25, 2025 | Perishable News
Letter to the editor: Thank you, John Laird, for advancing food security in California
August, 6, 2025 | Lookout Santa Cruz
‘A Call to Action’ – Nonprofits ask everyone to contact elected leaders, fight cuts to SNAP
June 10, 2025 | GoodTimes
Pajaro Valley Collaborative’s ‘call to action’
June 9, 2025 | The Pajaronian
Proposed bill threatens SNAP benefits in Watsonville
June 9, 2025 | KSBW
California Dairy Families and Raley’s Food For Families Partner to Deliver Nutritious Milk and Dairy Foods to Families Facing Food Insecurity
May 31, 2025 | Press Reach
KSBW 8 partners with Central Coast food banks For ‘Feeding Families’ telethon on May 28
May 19, 2025 | KSBW
Guest Commentary | Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County: Congress must protect food programs
April 4, 2025 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Local Food Bank Loses Federal Money
March 31, 2025 | KAZU
After Sudden $700K Drop in Funding, Second Harvest Calls for Community Support
March 25, 2025 | Lookout Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz County Food Banks Launch $1M Campaign to Combat Funding Cuts
March 24, 2025 | KSBW
Extreme Generosity at Time of Need
March 17, 2025 | Times Publishing Group
Staff of Life Boosts Second Harvest
March 14, 2025 | The Pajaronian
2024
Second Harvest Food Bank 2024 Holiday Drive
December 14, 2024 | Aptos Times
UCSC Holiday Food & Fund Drive: Give What You Get
December 2, 2024 | UC Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz METRO to Host Stuff The Bus Food Drive
November 19, 2024 | Lookout Santa Cruz
CEO Roundtable: What the Election Means for Hunger Relief
November 19, 2024 | Food Bank News
Second Harvest Food Bank 2024 Holiday Drive
November 12, 2024 | Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County
Second Harvest Kicks Off Annual Food Drive
November 11, 2024 | The Pajaronian
Santa Cruz Warriors Announce Community Partnerships with Second Harvest Food Bank on Food Insecurity Initiative for the 2024-25 Season
November 7, 2024 | Santa Cruz Warriors
Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County Launches Holiday Campaign To Raise Funding For 4,750,000 Meals
November 6, 2024 | Lookout Santa Cruz
Rally for a Cause — It’s Food Drive Kickoff Time!
November 2, 2024 | Times Publishing Group
Pilot Delivers Powerful ‘Food is Medicine’ Results at Feed More
October 7, 2024 | Food Bank News
Second Harvest Food Bank adds diapers and wipes in Santa Cruz County
September 24, 2024 | KSBW
Food Bank, Watsonville Library partner for kids’ cooking and nutrition
July 11, 2024 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
A Calif. Food Bank’s Entry into Food is Medicine
July 9, 2024 | Food Bank News
Food Bank makes commitment to inclusion
June 30, 2024 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Central Coast nonprofits fear proposed state budget cuts
June 14, 2024 | KSBW
Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County Calls For Summer Volunteers
May 30, 2024 | Times Publishing Group
Food Bank offers help with CalFresh applications
May 27, 2024 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County offers help with CalFresh applications
May 26, 2024 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
‘Baby Talk’ program helps new mothers
May 8, 2024 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Second Harvest Community Impact Awards
April 28, 2024 | Times Publishing Group
Food Bank celebrates its volunteers
April 24, 2024 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Second Harvest Names Community Award Winners
March 8, 2024 | Press Release
Food Bank brings on new CDO
February 23, 2024 | Press Release
Second Harvest Brings Fresh Food to Watsonville Community Hospital’s Patients in Need
February 18, 2024 | Times Publishing Group
Nourish Hospital Food Pantry
February 8, 2024 | Joint Press Release
Second Harvest Brings Fresh Food to Watsonville Community Hospital’s Patients
February 5, 2024 | Times Publishing Group
Food Bank Launches Farmer Equity Program
January 31, 2024 | Santa Cruz Sentinel Eat+Drink
Food Bank Launches Farmer Equity Program and Sustainability Initiative
January 30, 2024 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Kids Learn Good Nutrition is Cool at Cooking Clubs
January 30, 2024 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz
Food Bank Launches Land and Sea Sustainability Efforts
January 17, 2024 | Press Release
Kids Learn Good Nutrition is Cool at Cooking Clubs
January 1, 2024 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz
2023
Support Second Harvest This Holiday Season
December 18, 2023 | UC Santa Cruz
Cabrillo Hosts Holiday Food Drive Kickoff
December 15, 2023 | Aptos Times
Twin Lakes Church Breaks Record: Congregation Donates $512,725 to Second Harvest Food Drive
December 15, 2023 | Times Publishing Group
$50k Match for UCSC’s Holiday Food & Fund Drive
December 4, 2023 | UC Santa Cruz
Second Harvest Food Bank and Twin Lakes Church Team up again for Record Donation
December 4, 2023 | Press Release
Found Treasures: Santa Cruz Sea Dubs Grub
November 17, 2023 | Edible Monterey Bay
Food Bank CEO Erica Padilla-Chavez on Fixing Food Insecurity
November 16, 2023 | California Local
Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz Feeds Local Needs
November 16, 2023 | California Local
Editorial – Second Harvest Foood Bank holiday drive: “Every dollar counts’
November 12, 2023 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Second Harvest kicks off holiday food drive
November 6, 2023 | The Pajaronian
Santa Cruz County students, nonprofit leaders partner with Food Bank for holiday drive
October 29, 2023 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
SHFB Partners with Amazon to Deliver Essential Food Services to Homebound Residents in Need
September 20, 2023 | Press Release
Second Harvest Food Bank Annual Chefs’ Dinner
September 13, 2023 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Advocating for Food Security – Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren’s Visit to SHFB
September 11, 2023 | SHFB Blog
South County Triage Group receives $400k in state funding
September 1, 2023 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Addressing the underlying causes of food insecurity
August 24, 2023 | The Pajaronian
Rep Jimmy Panetta Visits SHFB
August 10, 2023 | SHFB Blog
5 Amazing Volunteer Organizations
August 7, 2023 | Patch
Food Bank and Farms collaborate to Nourish community
July 27, 2023 | Central Coast Ag, Santa Cruz Sentinel
Opinion – Erica Padilla-Chavez: We are the Food Bank
June 8, 2023 | The Pajaronian
Quick Bites – Sip
May 30, 2023 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Warriors, Kaiser Permanente pitch in at Second Harvest
May 25, 2023 | The Pajaronian
Santa Cruz Warriors, Kaiser pack food for families
May 23, 2023 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Pandemic-initiated emergency allotments from CalFresh
May 19, 2023 | The Pajaronian
Second Harvest Food Bank, Church partner to feed community
April 23, 2023 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Warriors, Kaiser Permanente and the Athletes’ Corner Donates 58,430 Meals to SHFB through Swishes for Dishes initiative
April 19, 2023 | Santa Cruz Warriors
Quick Bites – Staff of Life, Smart Chicken donate to Food Bank
April 11, 2023 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Service Above Self
April 1, 2023 | Coastal Grower
Getting to Know Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County
March 26, 2023 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Coastal Health and Wellness Food For Health
March 7, 2023 | Times Publishing
Reader’s Choice Awards 2022
February 26, 2023 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Guest Commentary – Volunteers showing up with love for post-storm cleanup
January 29, 2023 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Residents of the Santa Cruz Mountains start the long process of recovery after storms
January 19, 2023 | NPR
After Rainy and wet Saturday, Santa Cruz County could see break in storms
January 14, 2023 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
2022
Editorial – Hunger SHFBs mission continues
December 12, 2022 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Aptos church provides over 1 million meals in food drive
December 12, 2022 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Guest Commentary – Feeding hope and nourishing community
November 14, 2022 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Food bank eyes 5 million meals for those in need
November 14, 2022 | The Pajaronian
Guest view – Feeding hope and nourishing community
November 10, 2022 | The Pajaronian
Second Harvest Holiday Drive
October 31, 2022 | Aptos Times
Mentoring Can Help Women-led businesses thrive – Women in Business
October 15, 2022 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Coast Line – Second Harvest schedules food distributions in Watsonville
September 29, 2022 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
New law requires food waste reduction
September 23, 2022 | The Pajaronian
Prices for food at home up 13.5 percent for year ended August 2022
September 15, 2022 | Economics Daily U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
How An Internship Inspired Second Harvest CEO
September 2, 2022 | GoodTimes
Best of the Pajaro Valley
August 26, 2022 | The Pajaronian
Testing Wellness
August 24, 2022 | GoodTimes
As inflation spikes more hunger, Second Harvest needs volunteers to help meet the needs
August 15, 2022 | Lookout Santa Cruz
Elliott-McCrea reflects on decades of service with Second Harvest
July 14, 2022 | The Pajaronian
Second Harvest Celebrates 50th Anniversary With Party to Honor Retiring CEO
July 5, 2022 | Edible Monterey Bay
CalFresh benefits – Second Harvest Food Bank wants to reach community
May 18, 2022 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Erica Padilla-Chavez prepares to lead Second Harvest Food Bank as CEO
May 5, 2022 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Second Harvest Food Bank announces new CEO
April 21, 2022 | KSBW
Still serving just in a different way – EPC will move from PVPSA to SHFB
April 21, 2022 | Lookout Santa Cruz
Central Coast food banks sees increase in demand as gas and food prices rise
March 25, 2022 | KSBW
2021
Joy Flynn, Second Harvest Food Bank Board Member, awarded KSBW Jefferson Award
December 2, 2021 | KSBW
The Delta Variant Is a Grim Reminder of Food Banks’ Role During This Crisis
August 25, 2021 | Triple Pundit
Second Harvest Food Bank – CalFresh first line of defense in fighting hunger
May 23, 2021 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
These organizations see a new vision for Watsonville’s nutritional lifestyle
May 4, 2021 | The Pajaronian
MemberMonday: Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County
May 1, 2021 | California Association of Food Banks
Second Harvest Food Bank – Riding Out The Pandemic
Q&A with Willy Elliott-McCrea, CEO Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County
May 1, 2021 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
The Value of a Volunteer
April 18, 2021 | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Senator Laird helps bolster Second Harvest food distribution
March 19, 2021 | The Pajaronian
Second Harvest Food Bank urging legislatures to continue funding food programs
March 19, 2021 | KSBW
How Does Your Food Bank Work?
January 20, 2021 | Times Publishing Group
2020
Stealth Food Banks Serve the Undocumented
July 14, 2020 | Food Bank News
SNAP Applications Surge, Weighing on Food Banks
April 22, 2020 | Food Bank News
Press Room
Quick Facts
- Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County was the 1st food bank in California and 2nd oldest in the nation.
We currently distribute over 10,000,000 pounds of food annually, serving over 65,000 people every month. We target 50% of the food we distribute is fresh fruits and vegetables. - Almost 2,000 volunteers donate over 14,000 hours per year.
Press Contacts
Dawn Barreras, Marketing & Communications Director
(831) 722-0991
(831) 722-0991