Santee Food Bank - Santee, California

Eric B.

My family got food from the food bank for the first time this week and it was awful. 85% of what they gave us had to be thrown out when we got home. The bags of produce were jumbled together so badly that everything was bruised and damaged, and a mouldy onion leaked all over an entire bag which in turn spoiled most of the rest of what was in there. The 3 lemons survived. We got multiple Costco pastry/pie boxes, all over a week expired and our family simply can't use them. We don't eat that much sugar and carbs and about 25-30% of what they gave us was unhealthy sugary dessert foods we won't touch.

We got two whole frying chickens which is nice, but three packages of salad greens and tomatoes had to be thrown out because it had developed mold.

How you store things matters! People rely on places like this to help feed their family, especially now, and I literally had a breakdown in my kitchen while unpacking this stuff just realizing how much of it was already spoiled or rotten, and how much of what was left is empty sugar.

We won't be back. I can't stand throwing away that much food again. These people should be ashamed of the waste and negligence.

Anna S.

Was really in need to feed all my children and help my disabled mother as we’re losing our home once again. I’ve waited patiently for my turn, even allowing the cars ahead of me squeeze in and getting ahead of me. Maya Espino was super nice, she took all the information and told me that i should see someone waving at me, however I haven’t seen nothing ahead of me, nor cars nor people so I started coming up closer to see how it works and how should I get the food. An older man in green construction uniform ran towards me waving his both hands at me and yelling something, as a first time being here I was confused and nicely asked it’s my first time, what do I do? He screamed, not talked, screamed over and over again at me saying “did I wave at you? Why did you get here? Go back up, see what happened when you don’t listen and wait for my waving? The truck cannot pass by because of you! Wow. As a Christian mother my heart was broken and no matter what I’m going through I will never come back and will never get such “help” from them ever again! Please, suggest some polite kind food bank distributions you possibly know, thank you!

Ian L.

Excellent place to get food if you are local in your community.

Jack B.

Friendly fellowship with a heart of gold 💛 made my day gaining back some food security.. 😋 can't thank them enough!

Andrea B.

I love going here! They really hook you up! I go every 3rd Tuesday of the month. Yesterday was a fluke they cut there hours back from covid but if your reading this they will give you food to last a couple of week for 5 people

James M.

How could you not give a 5 star rating to this group of wonderful volunteers who sacrifice there time to provide well needed food to us and are families. I appreciate everything you volunteers do and am very thankful!😀

Envy E. W.

Tuesdays in the 1st and 3rd if the month is government day, which can be visited in once per month, you'll receive your essentials like meats, cheeses, etc. Wednesday, Fridays, and Saturdays are panty days and you can visit multiple times per month and when available can receive dog food and tolietrees. Due to covid they ask that you stay in vehicle and pop open trunk upon your turn in line, they'll load your vehicle up and close your trunk. Line moved fast and smoothly. Its located at the Church, the flow if the line starts at the left if the Churches parking lot entrance.

Cedar W.

I love Santee and am grateful for this food bank. There is a guy who works at both the food bank and also does Santee Santas and he is a gem! I'm a single mom of two kids with disabilities. I was a military wife for 15 years and never thought I'd be in line at a good bank but it happens to everyone at some point. One of the days I went there I was taking an Uber home (no car) and I was so overwhelmed loading the food that I was sobbing, well that guy from Santee Santas asked if I was okay and gave me a hug. It was the best and what I needed. I have no family so it is just myself and my boys and that mans kindness is something I think of daily. Another thing too is they gave me deodorant when I asked if they happen to have any. Thank you volunteers!