With donations down this holiday season, San Diego Unified’s neediest families may go hungry

The spirit of giving may be down this holiday season — and for some San Diego Unified families in need, that may mean going without food over the winter break.

Every year, the county’s largest school district hosts its Adopt-A-Family event to collect donations for some of its neediest families. But donations are significantly down compared to previous years, which means that meeting the needs of all these families may not be possible this year, said Kristy Drake, the event’s coordinator and a resource teacher at San Diego Unified’s Office of Children and Youth in Transition. 

“We have widened our search for donations because we have so much need,” she said. 

After donations are collected, San Diego Unified identifies financially struggling families, including those experiencing housing and food insecurity, and provides them with a basket filled with basic necessities and other items. 

Last year, the district was able to help nearly 200 students across 26 school sites. But so far this year, the number of donations is slim: Drake said Friday that so far only a few packs of underwear, hygiene items, about 10 balls, five gift cards and a couple of boxes of toys have been collected. 

The need for donations comes as food insecurity and the number of individuals experiencing homelessness grows in the region. About 75% – 8,500 – of students experiencing homelessness in the city during the 2021-22 year attended San Diego Unified schools, as inewsource previously reported. 

Drake said gift cards to grocery stores is the top need among families, as students don’t have access to free and reduced meal programs for two weeks while they are on winter break. Although food banks can help families experiencing food insecurity, she said some items aren’t convenient for those living in parking lots or in communal living shelters because they don’t have access to a kitchen to cook. 

“Food banks also are often unable to meet the high demand, so grocery gift cards allow families to get through the break and feed their children with dignity,” Drake said. 

Other needed items include winter jackets, hats, gloves and umbrellas. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 6.