By Cassie N. Saunders
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE
The County is planning to double its Safety Net Bridge Food Distribution sites, exÂpanding access to essential reÂsources for residents across the region. Six new distribution loÂcations are launching this winÂter, in high-need, data-identiÂfied zip codes.
New sites anticipated to open include Lemon Grove, MounÂtain Empire, National City, San Ysidro and Southeastern San Diego, with additional locations already in discussion for 2027.
The Safety Net Bridge ProÂgram, offered in partnership with San Diego Food Bank and Feeding San Diego, connects households with nutritious food and other supports. County staff expanded the program in direct response to real-time daÂta showing increasing demand for food and benefits assistance.
Between August 8 through October 10, the program served more than 2,400 households across 16 events, underscoring both the ongoing need and the value of bringing services diÂrectly into neighborhoods.
In addition to food distribuÂtion, several locations now ofÂfer vaccinations, behavioral health connections, housÂing resources, and services for seniors and families—makÂing it easier for residents to get multiple types of support in one location.
This expansion comes as more residents face federal benÂefits reductions. Since June, about 2,200 people in San Diego County lost food benefits due to recently re-implemented fedÂeral work requirements.
Out of more than 37,000 people up for renewal durÂing the same period, nearly 8,000 did not complete their renewal paperwork during the same period, and just over 1,500 non-citizens were disconÂtinued because of new federal eligibility rules or incomplete renewals.
The Safety Net Bridge ProÂgram is one of several County efÂforts to help residents navigate federal benefits changes. AdÂditional resources and supÂport are available at the CounÂty’s Federal Impacts Assistance Hub.
Reprinted courtesy San Diego County Office of Communications.