Samaritan House, a nonprofit supported by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), founded by Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, prepares approximately 3,000 meals each month for community members facing hardship in San Mateo County, California. Alongside its meal services, the organisation helps households struggling to afford groceries and other essentials. Its programmes support people grappling with rising living costs, including families whose incomes are stretched by housing costs and everyday expenses. Through food distribution and other community services, Samaritan House works to ensure that vulnerable residents can access essential support when they need it.
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative was established by Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan to support work across science, education and community development. Through its community programmes, CZI funds local organisations working to address challenges affecting residents, including food insecurity, housing difficulties and access to essential services. Food insecurity does not affect only people without jobs. Working individuals and families can also struggle to afford nutritious meals when rent, transport, healthcare and other household expenses consume much of their income. Even a relatively small increase in living costs can leave some households with difficult choices about how to spend their money. Samaritan House provides food assistance through services that include grocery distribution and prepared meals. These programmes help people access food without having to meet the entire cost themselves. For families with children, such support can help ease pressure on household budgets and leave more money available for other essentials. The organisation also provides services beyond food assistance, including healthcare and housing-related support. This broader approach recognises that financial hardship rarely occurs in isolation. A household struggling to pay rent may also find it difficult to afford groceries, medical care and other necessities. For families dealing with high housing costs, these services can help free up part of a limited budget for rent, utilities, medicines, transport and children’s school requirements. They do not resolve the underlying causes of food insecurity, but they can help people manage immediate needs while navigating financial difficulties. Community food programmes also rely on coordination between charities, donors, volunteers and local residents. Donations can help organisations maintain their services, while volunteers contribute time and labour to prepare food, organise supplies and distribute assistance.