Before the economic collapse in 2008, local food banks estimated that one in four families was short of food some part of the year and that one in seven families was getting some kind of food assistance. Early estimates are that the number of needy seniors and families will increase by 30% in 2009.
The gleaners are trying to help make a difference by helping supply fresh produce to food banks.
Monterey Bay Area Food Banks
Food Bank for Monterey County serves 24,000 people a month in collaboration with 80 agencies in the county.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties serves 43,000 people a month in collaboration with 160 agencies throughout the two counties.
Grey Bears of California serves 2,200 seniors a week through their program in Santa Cruz County.
Community Pantry of San Benito County serves 3,000 people a week through their county-wide programs.
Partially Funded by the California Council for the Humanities, UC Santa Cruz, and INTA - TrainingWeal.