Zoey Jane is like many other ten year olds. She enjoys spending time with her friends and running around the playground.

While she runs around the park, her mom, Shannon, picks up fruit and veggies from our Mobile Pantry. With the ingredients she gets, she’s able to make hearty, healthy soup for her husband and Zoey Jane. Shannon also grabs other staples, like peanut butter and rice.

These visits to our Mobile Pantry make a big difference for Shannon and her family.

“We have to rent a room because the cost of living here is so high. That’s all we can afford,” Shannon said.

For families in our community like Zoey Jane’s, the holidays can be tough, especially on tight budgets. The cost of a meal in Alameda County is 25 percent higher than the national average; the cost of living in the Bay Area is one of the highest in the country.

But because of partners like you, we’re able to help make the holidays brighter. If you want to make an impact on families in our community this holiday season, here’s how: