While food banks throughout Southern California are experiencing serious strain meeting the growing demand for service, the Santa Barbara County Food Bank reported serving 45,000 more people since 2008 when the current recession officially hit. The Food Bank reported distributing 10 million pounds of food a year; 100,000 pounds a month comes courtesy of donations from Albertsons. Likewise, the Food Bank reported increasing its number of distribution outlets from 220 to 270 in the past three years. Meanwhile, 42 percent of all Santa Barbara School District students qualify for either free or reduced cost food assistance.
