Richard Barrera, San Diego Food Bank and Councilmember Marti Emerald
May 11, 2010
NEW FOOD STAMP OUTREACH PARTNERSHIP TARGETS LOW-INCOME ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
San Diego Unified, San Diego Food Bank Team to Fight Child Hunger
WHEN: 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, 2010
WHERE: Rodriguez Elementary School, 825 S. 31st Street, San Diego, CA 92113
WHAT: School board, city of San Diego and Food Bank officials are launching
a joint initiative that aims to boost Food Stamp participation among
families at elementary schools where a majority of the student population
qualifies for free- or reduced-price lunch.
Following a pilot this school year, officials will introduce the new
partnership and, alongside the Food Bank¹s team of outreach volunteers,
assist parents one-on-one with completing Food Stamp applications.
In addition, Food Bank staff will distribute food and fresh produce to
parents at the event, which is open to the public.
WHO:
-- San Diego Unified School District Board President Richard Barrera
-- San Diego Food Bank Chairman Eugene ³Mitch² Mitchell
-- San Diego City Councilmember Marti Emerald
VISUALS:
-- Two large Food Stamp outreach tents with work stations in playground.
Barrera, Mitchell and Emerald working one-on-one with parents at work
stations.
-- Ten outreach volunteers at work stations assisting parents.
-- Food Bank volunteers distributing food and fresh produce to parents.
WHY: According to 2008 U.S. Census data, 483,000 people in San Diego County
live at or below the poverty level and face the threat of hunger. Of this
number, 185,000 are children under 12. (U.S. Census Bureau. American
Community Survey, 2008. Compiled by SANDAG, January 2010.)
According to a recent study, 65% of eligible residents do not receive Food
Stamps in San Diego County, and San Diego ranked last in a survey of
America¹s 25 largest urban areas in 2009 with a Food Stamp participation
rate of 35%. (Food Research and Action Center 2009)
San Diego County loses over $144 million federal dollars annually in
unclaimed Food Stamp benefits due to lack of participation. (Food Research
and Action Center 2009)
Contacts:
-- Jack Brandais, San Diego Unified School District, (619) 725-5570
-- Chris Carter, San Diego Food Bank, (619) 857-2314
-- Geni Cavitt, Councilmember Marti Emerald, (619) 846-0228
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