Community Resource Center provides emergency food, housing assistance, and safe shelter

CRC provides help for North County families

Posted May 14, 2020

As unemployment in San Diego reaches nearly 27 percent, many are struggling to pay for their most essential needs — safe, stable housing and nutritious food. North County’s Community Resource Center (CRC) is rallying the support of the community to continue housing the homeless, protecting victims of domestic violence, and stocking its food pantry shelves as the number of families in need grows.

CRC’s CEO, John Van Cleef, says, “Our doors must remain open and will remain open to help our most vulnerable neighbors who are suffering disproportionately right now. CRC needs to be here for those who are hurting now, but also in the future.”

Since March 13, CRC has distributed emergency food to 1,785 needy families, while coordinating and providing shelter to homeless individuals and families and safety to victims of domestic violence. The shelter at home order has also contributed to a 37 percent increase in calls to CRC’s domestic violence hotline between February and March.

The need for emergency food continues to grow, even as CRC struggles to keep its food pantry shelves fully stocked. CRC has experienced a decline in “rescued” food donations from grocery stores due to increased consumer demand. CRC’s Food & Nutrition Pantry did not receive donations from the U.S. Postal Service Stamp Out Hunger food drive, which typically results in more than 17,000 pounds of nonperishable food and helps the pantry serve many families through the summer months. This loss, combined with the increased demand for services, results in increased expenses for CRC as food must be purchased.

The North County community has already come together to help Community Resource Center provide for our neighbors, raising funds and support. CRC continues to receive donations from partner agencies and grocery stores, including: Feeding San Diego, the San Diego Food Bank, ALDI, Coastal Roots Farm, Lazy Acres, Ralphs, Smart and Final, Sprouts, Target, Trader Joe’s, Vons, Gelson’s and Jimbo’s. This month, Seaside Market is holding a round-up donation drive in Solana Beach, while Anderson’s La Costa Nursery is donating a portion of seed and plant purchases to support the organization. Restaurants are also pitching in: Prager Brothers brings excess bread; GoodOnYa offers the opportunity to purchase a meal for a CRC participant; Luna Grill and Islands donate prepared meals.

Van Cleef says, “Only by working together can we continue to care for the most vulnerable during this challenging time. As this crisis has heightened and more and more people are coming to CRC for help, so too has our community’s resolve to come together to care for our neighbors. It’s been inspiring to see and we hope we can keep the momentum going.”

To help keep CRC’s shelves stocked, you can donate online at crcncc.org/donate or bring donations to CRC’s Food & Nutrition Center during operating hours (see wish list and drop-off instructions at crcncc.org/covid-19). Currently, the most-needed items are oatmeal and canned soup. Local businesses and restaurants interested in partnership opportunities can contact CRC at info@crcncc.org.

To receive emergency food or receive assistance with housing, transportation and more, contact Community Resource Center at 760.753.8300 or visit in person (mask required) at 650 Second Street, Encinitas. CRC’s Food & Nutrition Center distributes food Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 12:30pm. If you are a victim of domestic violence, contact CRC’s toll-free 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline: 877.633.1112. If you are in immediate danger, please call 911. crcncc.org/covid-19