Hunger isn’t just a charitable issue. It’s an economic one that quietly drains San Diego’s economy and touches every San Diegan, whether they realize it or not.
That’s because hunger creates ripple effects far beyond the dinner table. It strains our health care systems, lowers workplace productivity and undercuts student achievement, creating costs we all share. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that food insecurity drives up national health care spending by $53 billion each year, primarily due to avoidable hospitalizations and chronic illness. For students, a longitudinal study found that those from food-insecure households were 43% less likely to graduate from college. And on the job, hunger can hinder focus, increase absenteeism and diminish productivity.
At the same time, inflation has made everyday essentials more expensive. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, San Diego’s inflation rate hit 4% in July, the highest in the nation. When wages don’t keep up, families are left to choose between rent and groceries, gas and medicine, diapers and dinner.
The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and our 450 nonprofit partners are doing everything we can to respond. But we are facing historic demand at the same time federal support is shrinking. As the county’s sole state-designated Emergency Food Assistance Program provider, we’ve had to reduce the number of items in each Emergency Food Assistance Program food bag from 16 to just 11, even as lines continue to grow.
Another key resource, CalFresh — California’s version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — is also under threat. Nearly 400,000 San Diegans rely on CalFresh, with an average benefit of just $2.11 per meal. But with the signing of H.R. 1 in July, tens of thousands are expected to lose benefits due to stricter work requirements and changes to eligibility. County officials estimate that up to 96,000 people in San Diego could be affected by the new work rules and an additional 13,000 would lose access entirely. The financial impact to the county is estimated to be from $25.7 million to $48.9 million.
The Food Bank is stepping up, as we always have. We’ve weathered recessions, wildfires and a global pandemic. We are tapping our reserves, deepening partnerships and innovating wherever we can. But the need is greater than what any nonprofit can solve on its own, and our reserves can only stretch so far. This is not just a moment for charity. It is a moment for collective responsibility.
If you need proof, look no further than Melissa Catan, one of our former clients. After losing her job during the Great Recession, she found herself as a single mother with no child support and no safety net. Turning to a local food distribution helped keep her and her son afloat while she searched for work. Years later, Melissa is thriving. She is also giving back by distributing Thanksgiving meals, organizing meal trains and supporting her neighbors during times of crisis. She is living proof that food assistance is not a handout. It is a hand-up, one that allows people to rewrite their story and contribute to their community.
San Diegans are generous, resilient and committed to helping one another. But we need more than goodwill. Hunger relief must be treated as essential infrastructure, because we are all paying for hunger, one way or another. Whether through rising health care costs, reduced productivity or lost educational opportunity, the ripple effects touch us all. By expanding access to food assistance and investing in long-term food security, we can build a healthier, more prosperous region for everyone.
Because you can’t build a strong San Diego on an empty stomach.
Castillo is the CEO of the San Diego Food Bank, the leading organization dedicated to combating food insecurity across San Diego County. He lives in Del Cerro.