Samaritan House, a San Mateo County nonprofit that distributes groceries and essential services, has seen demand for its help surge as living costs climb.
The organization now prepares roughly 3,000 meals each month, helping families whose income is stretched by housing, transport, and healthcare expenses.
Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan’s Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, which lists Samaritan House among its major donors, supplies the nonprofit with grants that fund food distribution, grocery assistance, and other community programs.
Beyond meals, Samaritan House offers healthcare and housing support, recognizing that financial hardship rarely occurs in isolation.
Volunteers, some of whom have experienced food insecurity themselves, play a crucial role in preparing and delivering food, underscoring the program’s community‑driven ethos.
With rising rent and utility costs, the nonprofit’s services free up household budgets, allowing families to allocate more money to children’s education, medical care, and other essentials.
Samaritan House continues to expand its reach, adapting programs to meet growing demand.