our food services
Learn MoreIdeal for donors dropping off surplus food at our location, no fees or paperwork required.
30 min
30 min
30 US dollars
30 min
The Good Samaritan Food Donation Act
The Good Samaritan Food Donation Act,” offers responsible food donors protection from criminal and civil liability if the donated food is “apparently wholesome.” This means the donor knows the food has been handled with correct food safety standards. The act does not release donors or hunger relief agencies from the duty of acting responsibly. Operate with judgment and diligence to make sure donated food is safe and wholesome.
Be Part of the Food Waste Solution
According to REFED, "In the U.S., a staggering 35% of all food goes unsold or uneaten – almost 90 billion meals’ worth of food annually. It's valued at $418 billion, roughly 2% of U.S. GDP, and it has the same climate footprint as the entire U.S. aviation industry (passenger, commercial, and military). "
We throw away an estimated 500,000 tons of food waste each year in San Diego County. All that food generates over 270,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases. The Environmental Protection Agency developed a Food Waste Recovery Hierarchy (modified version below) which lists feeding hungry people as one of the top strategies to prevent and reduce wasted food. By donating edible food from your business, you can be part of the food waste solution and help reduce hunger in your community!
HOW to donate:
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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.