Good food fuels strong communities. This National Nutrition Month, Community Bridges is taking action to ensure that every child, family, and senior in our region has access to nutritious, healthy meals—but we can’t do it alone.
With grocery prices continuing to soar by more than 25% since the pandemic, thousands of families are struggling to put food on the table. Seniors living on fixed incomes are skipping meals to afford rent. Childcare providers are working tirelessly to offer balanced meals to young children, but the cost of nutritious food keeps rising.
At the same time, uncertainty at the federal level is creating confusion and worry about the future of funding for critical food programs. These programs—ones that feed thousands of children, families, and older adults across our community—are facing potential funding challenges that could impact their ability to continue serving those in need. Now, more than ever, we must build resiliency in our local programs to ensure that no matter what happens in Washington, our community has the resources to fight hunger and nourish our neighbors.
That’s why we’ve set a goal to raise $20,000 this month to help sustain these vital services. If you’re able, we invite you to donate. But if you can’t give financially, there are still many ways to get involved in this campaign. Your time, voice, and advocacy are just as valuable in ensuring no one in our community goes hungry.
🌟 Healthy Meals for Children (CACFP – Child and Adult Care Food Program)
Your donation helps 427 daycare providers serve 4,716 children nutritious meals each day. Our experienced consultants travel throughout our tri-county region, visiting each site three times per year to provide nutrition, health, and safety education. Over the past four years, the number of childcare providers we support has grown by 16.3%, ensuring that more children receive meals that follow USDA guidelines on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and protein sources.
🌟 Food Distributions for Families (Family Resource Collective)
Many working families in our community are forced to make impossible choices between rent, utilities, and food. Our weekly food distributions provide fresh, nutritious groceries like eggs, tuna, chicken, tortillas, and peanut butter to families in need. Last year alone, our Family Resource Collective distributed over 10,000 bags of food, helping more than 1,450 residents (representing 3,768 household members, including 683 children).
🌟 Nutritious Meals for Seniors (Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County)
Each day, our dedicated staff prepares more than 100 fresh-cooked meals at senior dining sites across the county and delivers over 700 meals directly to seniors’ homes. These meals provide not just nutrition but also a vital connection to our community. With 1,700 seniors relying on our services, your donation helps us purchase food to prepare 1,000 meals for local older adults.
🌟 Interactive Nutrition Classes & Support for Families (Women, Infants & Children – WIC)
Your support allows our WIC program to provide in-person nutrition classes, food demonstrations, and wellness assessments to 6,500 low-income families each year. Families receive monthly food vouchers to purchase healthy groceries—ensuring babies, toddlers, and expectant mothers have access to the nutrients they need for a healthy start in life. This year’s National Nutrition Month theme, “Food Connects Us,” reminds us that food is more than just sustenance—it’s a way to strengthen families, build healthier communities, and connect with one another.
If you’re not able to make a monetary contribution, you can still make a difference! Here are three impactful ways to support Community Bridges’ food programs and help fight hunger in our community.
Lend a helping hand and make a direct impact in the lives of children, families, and seniors. Whether it’s delivering meals, distributing food, or mentoring youth, your time and energy change lives!
Volunteer Opportunities
Sign up to volunteer today: communitybridges.org/volunteer
Spreading awareness is just as important as donating! Help us amplify our message about food insecurity and nutrition access by engaging with us online.
Follow Us on Social Media – Like, comment, and share our posts to educate your friends and family about the importance of fighting hunger in Santa Cruz County.
Facebook: facebook.com/CommunityBridgesSC
Instagram: instagram.com/puentes_sc/
Twitter/X: x.com/Puentes_SC
Tell a Friend – Encourage your network to join the fight against hunger. Every share, repost, and conversation brings us closer to ending food insecurity.
Use Your Voice – Share a personal story about why fighting hunger matters to you. Tag us in your posts and help inspire others to take action!
Hunger is a policy issue as much as it is a community issue. You can help shape solutions by staying informed and advocating for policies that support food access.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter – Get updates on hunger-related issues, upcoming advocacy campaigns, and policy changes that impact food assistance programs. Learn easy ways to take action, such as signing petitions, contacting elected officials, and mobilizing your community.
Stay Informed – Federal funding for nutrition programs is facing uncertainty and potential cuts. Stay up to date on legislative changes that could affect programs like Meals on Wheels, WIC, and food assistance for families.
Contact Your Representatives – Make your voice heard! Call or email local and federal policymakers to support funding for food programs that serve thousands of our neighbors each year.
519 Main Street
Watsonville, California 95076
Phone: 831-688-8840
Fax: 831-688-8302
Email: info@cbridges.org
Community Bridges is a registered 501(c)(3) organization.
Federal Tax ID number: 94-2460211
