As hunger rates rise, a critical partnership emerges in Sacramento. The Sierra Health Foundation and United Way California Capital Region have launched the Match for Meals campaign. This initiative aims to combat food insecurity by matching donations to five local food banks. Together, they will match up to $300,000—$200,000 from Sierra Health and $100,000 from United Way—until January 31. With every dollar donated, the impact doubles.
“When families are hungry, it’s a disaster. Just as United Ways respond to natural disasters, we must tackle our food insecurity crisis,” said Dawnté Early, president of United Way California Capital Region, during a recent event at the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services.
Along with the Sacramento Food Bank, the campaign supports the Interfaith Food Bank of Amador County, Food Bank of El Dorado County, Feeding the Foothills in Placer County, and Yolo Food Bank. Donations can be directed to any of these food banks through MatchForMeals.org or by texting Match4Meals to 41444.
Food insecurity remains a pressing issue in California. Recent data shows that over 1 in 5 Californians, about 8.8 million people, face food scarcity. This is despite California’s status as the nation’s top producer of fruits and vegetables. The pandemic heightened this struggle, leading to record demand at food banks. Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services supports around 320,000 people each month through its vast network of partners.
The effects of the recent government shutdown compounded these challenges. In October, the food bank reported serving over 372,000 people, marking a staggering 140% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels. Many newcomers to the food bank had never sought assistance before, highlighting the situation’s urgency. “People who live paycheck to paycheck found it hard to get back on their feet,” said Blake Young, the executive director of the Sacramento Food Bank.
The Match for Meals campaign utilizes a proven fundraising strategy known as match giving, which can significantly enhance donor engagement. Experts believe that matching donations often motivates people to give more. For instance, if a community collectively donates $300,000, the total impact can reach $600,000 through this matching model.
According to research, matching incentives not only increase the number of donations but can also encourage larger individual contributions, particularly from those who might not typically donate. This action comes at a time when food banks are facing cuts to public assistance programs, making support more crucial than ever. Chet Hewitt, president of Sierra Health Foundation, emphasized that feeding people is a challenge we can solve.
Food banks maximize the value of every dollar donated. They purchase food in bulk at discounted rates and partner with local producers. For example, Sacramento Food Bank estimates that every dollar provides at least three meals. On a broader scale, Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, states that $1 can translate into up to 10 meals, thanks to efficiencies in food sourcing and distribution.
As food insecurity grows in prominence on social media, campaigns like Match for Meals highlight community resilience and collective action. By uniting local organizations and residents, these initiatives remind us that together, we can tackle hunger head-on.
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