Saint Brigid Parish in Pacific Beach is collaborating with the San Diego Food Bank to benefit low-income individuals and households experiencing food insecurity. 
Begun Feb. 28 and recurring every fourth Friday of the month, there will be a free commodities distribution at the Catholic church at 4735 Cass St. from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
“As a parish, we have been looking for opportunities to be a more visible presence in serving the local Pacific Beach community,” said Saint Brigid Pastor Father Steve Callahan. “It is for that reason that we are very excited to collaborate with Catholic Charities in the San Diego Food Bank’s food distribution program to benefit low-income individuals and households in our community.”
Callahan noted that the Emergency Food Assistance Program is a U.S. Department of Agriculture program working to improve the health of low-income families by supplementing their diets with nutritious food. “The Food Bank received commodities from the USDA and distributes food packages at more than 80 locations throughout San Diego County,” he said.
Food packages in the commodities distribution contain a variety of canned goods including dry grains, proteins (meat canned or frozen) and other nutritious items. Each household is eligible, judged in terms of household size and income, to receive one food package per month.
Of the need for commodities distributions, Appaswamy “Vino” Pajanor, CEO of Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego, said, “In 2018, Catholic Charities launched a new program distributing food in downtown San Diego. The first day drew more than 80 people – seniors, youth and others in need of food – and now serves nearly 300 in just two hours of food distribution, once per month. “Catholic Charities has identified 21 parishes within the Catholic Diocese of San Diego that could potentially serve as food distribution centers. St. Brigid’s Parish is the first parish to stand up for the once-a-month food distribution, and we are pushing to onboard seven other parishes by the end of 2020.”
Added Pajanor: “Our new era of parish-based mass food distribution centers will also enable us to maximize our outreach. Those in need will be able to access food closer to home. They will also have the option to find a location online. As they pick up their food, we will converse with them to understand their needs and explain Catholic Charities many other programs, services, and partners. “We are not waiting for or expecting to create the perfect system. Instead, our approach is to design and implement now, learn as we go, and continually redesign to meet the community needs.”
St. Brigid Parish liaison Lee Hulburt said the church is breaking fresh ground with its EFAP program.
“Saint Brigid Parish and the other agencies are entering into this community lifeline program with optimistic energy,” said Hulburt. “We’re reaching out to let people know about this new resource for low-income families in the beach and bay area.”
Added Hulburt: “Many households and individuals are struggling with food insecurity. Due to the tariffs imposed by the United States on China, the USDA has an abundance of food, especially pork products.  The amount of food each qualifying household can receive is substantial.”
Hurlburt added commodities recipients are not required to provide proof of documentation. She said the initial offering on Feb. 28 provided enough food to feed about 95 households. “That number could be adjusted per demand,” she said.
To be eligible for commodities distribution, recipients must be San Diego County residents and meet federal income guidelines for the free program. Eligible applicants may dial 211 or call the San Diego Food Bank at 858-527-1419.