Written By: Dr. Nicole Asencio, LMFT
Part 1: Accessing Food Help in San Diego
If you’re reading this, you might be experiencing the anxiety, stress, or shame that comes when you’re not sure where your next meal will come from. In, and around, San Diego County, food-insecurity is not a personal failing – it’s a reality for thousands of generous, hardworking people.
We also recognize the government shutdown has affected many folk. Most recently the delays and disruptions in public benefits that so many rely on for stability are also in limbo.
You might also be juggling a full plate in other ways: caring for children, supporting a partner, coping with trauma or overwhelm, managing parenting and work—while also digging for the emotional energy to show up. It’s exhausting.
At Palomar Family Counseling our mission is to foster mental health and resilience for our community. We cannot do that if your basic needs are not met and these are essential to helping people thrive.
This blog is for you. I want you to know: you deserve compassion, dignity and resources – not judgement. I am going to share practical local help + emotional support because the two often go hand-in-hand.
Here are trusted resources local to you (or your loved ones) in the San Diego area. Use them to begin reducing the stress of not having enough food.
Key local food-assistance resources
- 211 San Diego: Call 2-1-1 (24/7) in San Diego County. They speak many languages and can connect you to food assistance programs such as CalFresh, emergency food services, the WIC program and more.
- Feeding San Diego: Offers a “Find Food” map where you can enter your ZIP code and locate free food distributions in your area.
- San Diego Food Bank: Multiple programs (Emergency Food Assistance, Backpack programs for kids, etc) plus a map of where to get groceries locally.
- San Diego Hunger Coalition: An advocacy and resource hub; they also have flyers in many languages with food-assistance info across the county.
- The Salvation Army Food Pantries (San Diego): Several local sites across the county offering nutritious groceries and other support.
- Apply for CalFresh: In many cases you may qualify, and it can help relieve some of the pressure.
Food and Nutrition Programs
- CalFresh Income Limits (Spanish)
- College Students – Nutrition Assistance (Spanish)
- Seniors – Nutrition Assistance (Spanish)
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program
- Commodities Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
- Summer Meals
- Restaurant Meals Program
- San Diego Food Bank
- Feeding San Diego
- org
- Find a Farmers Man Your Area
- Find a Store in San Diegoards
- Find an ATM in San Diego County that doesn’t charge a transaction fee for EBT cards
What you can do today
- If you feel overwhelmed, call 2-1-1 and say you need “food assistance in San Diego County”.
- Use the Feeding San Diego map (or San Diego Food Bank map) to find the nearest distribution site (input your ZIP code).
- If you have children or seniors in your household, ask about programs specifically for them (backpack programs, senior food programs).
- Consider applying for CalFresh even if you feel uncertain—eligibility criteria vary, and it might be easier than you think.
- Speak with your therapist about the resources available in your community. At PFCS we have case managers that have created a resource list that you can download.
Why this matters
Hunger doesn’t just mean empty plates. It is tied to stress, anxiety, physical health challenges, parenting strain, and emotional fatigue. One local statistic: in San Diego County, nearly 1 in 7 children live in food-insecure households.
By accessing help, you’re not failing—you’re taking steps to support yourself and your family.
Nonperishable Food Drive
Palomar Family Counseling Services has launched a nonperishable food drive at our Escondido, Vista, and Fallbrook office locations. If you are able to donate your generous donations will directly help ease food insecurity for those affected.
- What to Donate: Nonperishable food items such as canned goods, pasta, rice, peanut butter, cereal, baby food, and shelf-stable proteins (protein bars, granola bars, beef jerky, etc.).
- When to Bring Donations: Monday, November 3 through Friday, November 14, during regular office hours.
- Where to Drop Off: Any PFCS office!
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If you prefer to donate funds and have us purchase food items on your behalf, please click the link below. In the comments box, please note November 2025 Food Drive.
Donate Funds to Our Food Drive