We hope this finds you and your loved ones safe and sound following the destruction caused by recent record rainfall, flooding, and power outages in Santa Cruz County and Pajaro. While we are heartbroken by this disaster, we are grateful for our community, one that is enduring this catastrophic event by rallying together to help our neighbors in need.
Officials say that it may take anywhere from three to six months, maybe longer, until our neighbors will be able to safely return to their homes. Many of the families we serve were already losing a battle with inflation before these storms hit. Now they are facing a difficult future. Entire homes have been lost, not to mention all the belongings inside. Livelihoods have been turned upside down. Families who have never had to wonder where their next meal is coming from are currently needing our help to survive. The scale a of devastation we are seeing across our area is unprecedented and tragic.
Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County is serving as the safety net for the community, bridging the gap between people who are hungry, and nutritious food. Prior to these storms, we were distributing food to 75,000 residents a month in Santa Cruz County.
We need to support our neighbors for as long as it takes to recover from these life-altering floods. While we are ready to respond to this bold challenge, we need your help now more than ever. Please join us by making a donation to help us distribute food and water to those who have suffered so much loss. Your donation will help ensure that no one in our community goes hungry during these tough times.
With all that is happening, we are reminded of what Mr. Rogers once said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ " Let’s be helpers, together!