Our
Story
Serving San Diego with dignity since 2016
Get to Know Us
We are a grassroots community of volunteers dedicated to rescuing food and redistributing it to our neighbors. Our journey began in 2016 when a single parent, supported by like-minded neighbors, sought to create a dignified experience for those seeking assistance.
From our humble beginnings on porches and driveways to our small office in Kearny Mesa, we’ve evolved into a comprehensive food rescue and food pantry program. Our market-style shopping experience and food baskets ensure that everyone can access the nourishment they deserve.
our mission
Our mission is to reduce food waste and increase access to nutritious food for all. By rescuing surplus food from grocery stores, restaurants, and businesses, we ensure it reaches neighbors facing gaps in food access while turning potential waste into valuable resources.
Partnering with us—whether as a supporter, donor, or ally—means contributing to a more sustainable, community-focused solution that benefits both people and the planet.
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Sustainability: For the Planet and FamiliesSustainability is at the heart of everything we do. At Porchlight, we are deeply committed to reducing food waste while helping families achieve long-term financial stability. Through innovative food upcycling methods like dehydrating and juicing, we extend the life of surplus food, preventing it from going to waste and providing nutritious meals to families in San Diego. These upcycling efforts protect the environment and allow us to offer affordable, healthy food to families. Our commitment to sustainability helps families save money while making more nutritious, sustainable choices at home. We also provide workshops and resources to help families reduce waste in their daily lives.
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Building a Stronger Community Through Mutual AidAt Porchlight, we believe in the power of mutual aid—a model of giving and receiving that supports those most vulnerable in our community. Our services are funded through community contributions, which allow us to provide families with free access to food. The more people participate, the more resources we can provide, creating a circular economy where everyone benefits. This mutual support model ensures that we can continue offering free, healthy food and other services to those who need it, strengthening our community and ensuring everyone can thrive.
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Looking to the Future: Expanding Our ImpactWhile Porchlight Community Services remains a small, community-driven organization, we are committed to growing our impact in San Diego. We plan to continue reducing food waste, expand our food recovery efforts, and offer more educational resources on sustainable living. We’re also excited to host additional community events to engage more families, create deeper connections, and promote financial security for everyone.
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We Aim To:Reduce Food Waste: We focus on upcycling surplus food, including dehydrating and juicing, to extend the life of fresh food and prevent waste. Promote Sustainability: We are dedicated to environmental stewardship by implementing practices that reduce our ecological footprint. Foster Financial Security: We help families redirect grocery savings toward critical needs, such as debt reduction, medical expenses, and emergency savings. Support Equitable Access: We provide allergy-friendly, plant-based, and culturally relevant food options to ensure everyone can access the necessary food.
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Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and InclusionCommunity-First Porchlight was founded by a single Latina mom who knows firsthand what it means to 'fall through the cracks'. From the start, our work has been shaped by women, immigrants, and folks from other parts of these communities that are often most affected by the gaps in food access. Our volunteers come from all walks of life, and our team reflects the diversity of the community we support. This allows us to better serve the them with volunteers who have shared the same living experiences, suffered the same challenges, and are now building a stronger future for others with the same compassion. We’re not here to check boxes or issue statements—we’re here to build something better, together. Everyone belongs here, and every voice matters.
OUR IMPACT
2023 RECAP
93
Volunteers
$1.2M
In hunger relief
68%
Of food provided was fresh produce
the porchlight difference
At Porchlight Community Services, we're more than just a food pantry—we're a community-driven organization focused on sustainability, empowerment, and holistic solutions to food insecurity. Here's what makes us different:
Unlike traditional pantries, we allow families to choose the food they need, fostering a sense of dignity and autonomy.
With options like gluten-free, plant-based, and allergy-friendly items, we meet the diverse dietary needs of the San Diego community.
Client-Choice Pantry
We go beyond food distribution by upcycling food through dehydrating, juicing, and composting to prevent Waste and provide nutritious meals.
e also embrace low-waste living, hosting clothing swaps, toy exchanges, and other community events to reduce our collective environmental impact.
Zero waste
Our mission is to reduce food insecurity by addressing the root causes—families' financial challenges.
Through education and resources, we empower families to save money, pay down debt, and build financial stability, all while participating in a sustainable community.
Empowering Families for Long-Term Financial Stability
Porchlight is committed to creating an inclusive, collaborative space where neighbors help each other thrive.
Our services are open to all San Diego families, including those who may not qualify for other assistance programs but still benefit greatly from our offerings.
Community Collaboration and Inclusivity
events and special programs
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Holiday Events
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Food drives
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Clothing swaps
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and more!
Supporting Food Rescue & Waste Reduction with CalRecycle
Porchlight Community Services is proud to receive partial funding from CalRecycle’s Food Waste Prevention and Rescue Grant Program. This support has allowed us to expand our food rescue efforts with a refrigerated van, invest in essential processing equipment, and promote sustainable solutions to reduce food waste in our community.
Through this grant, we can recover more edible food, extend its shelf life, and provide nutritious options to more people. It also helps us educate the community through workshops and events, like our DIY Beeswax Wrap Workshop, where we share practical ways to minimize food waste at home.
CalRecycle’s Food Waste Prevention and Rescue Grant Program is part of California’s larger effort to reduce organic waste in landfills, fight climate change, and improve food access.
