Lighting the Way to Food Security, Sustainability, and Community Building

In 2016, Porchlight Community Services was founded by a single parent who saw a critical need in San Diego. After a local charity that helped feed the unhoused shutdown, an overwhelming amount of food was at risk of going to waste. Volunteers in the community came together to distribute these resources and prevent food from being discarded.​

​

What began as a small effort to reduce food waste quickly grew as walkways were lined with food boxes, lit by the soft glow of porch lights. As the community responded, it became clear that food insecurity wasn’t just about a lack of food but also about the barriers families faced in accessing the needed resources. Many families working multiple jobs didn’t qualify for traditional assistance programs and struggled to find food banks that met their dietary needs. This realization led Porchlight to shift its focus in 2019, becoming a solution for families facing food insecurity.

​​

Our Mission: Reducing Waste and Empowering Families

​

At Porchlight, our mission is simple: reduce food waste and empower families to live financially secure lives. We provide healthy food access through our client-choice pantry, allowing families to select food based on their dietary preferences—whether gluten-free, plant-based, or allergy-friendly options.

In addition to our food pantry, we host community events such as clothing swaps, toy exchanges, and costume swaps, creating opportunities for neighbors to save money, reduce waste, and connect. Our efforts aim to build a community where everyone can thrive without the constant stress of financial instability.

 

Sustainability: For the Planet and Families

 

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. At Porchlight, we are deeply committed to reducing food waste while helping families achieve long-term financial stability. Through innovative food upcycling methods like dehydrating and juicing, we extend the life of surplus food, preventing it from going to waste and providing nutritious meals to families in San Diego.

​​

These upcycling efforts protect the environment and allow us to offer affordable, healthy food to families. Our commitment to sustainability helps families save money while making more nutritious, sustainable choices at home. We also provide workshops and resources to help families reduce waste in their daily lives.

​

Building a Stronger Community Through Mutual Aid

​

At Porchlight, we believe in the power of mutual aid—a model of giving and receiving that supports those most vulnerable in our community. Our services are funded through community contributions, which allow us to provide families with free access to food. The more people participate, the more resources we can provide, creating a circular economy where everyone benefits.

​​

This mutual support model ensures that we can continue offering free, healthy food and other services to those who need it, strengthening our community and ensuring everyone can thrive.

 

Looking to the Future: Expanding Our Impact

​

While Porchlight Community Services remains a small, community-driven organization, we are committed to growing our impact in San Diego. We plan to continue reducing food waste, expand our food recovery efforts, and offer more educational resources on sustainable living. We’re also excited to host additional community events to engage more families, create deeper connections, and promote financial security for everyone.

​

As we look toward the future, we aim to build a brighter, more sustainable community—one porch light at a time.