SAN JOSE, Calif. – The Quakes Foundation, in partnership with The PG&E Corporation Foundation (PG&E Foundation), will donate a total of $200,000 for 50,000 meals to help fight food insecurity in 2024. In honor of the Earthquakes’ upcoming 50th anniversary season, the club and The PG&E Foundation will work with 10 Bay Area organizations to distribute the meals, including Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen, Hunger at Home, and Martha’s Kitchen. Additional organizations will be announced later.
This initiative stems from the Earthquakes’ Pledge 74 campaign, an organization-wide program that aims to combat food insecurity concerns in the Bay Area. Pledge 74 was named after the team’s founding in 1974 and carries with it a legacy of nearly 50 years of community service.
“We couldn’t be more excited to partner with The PG&E Foundation and our local organizations to address food insecurity in our community,” said Earthquakes President Jared Shawlee. “This partnership aligns with our Pledge 74 program to have a major impact on this issue. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we recognize our history as a community steward and look forward to supporting our fans and families for the next 50 years.”
“The PG&E Corporation Foundation is grateful to partner with the Quakes Foundation to help combat food insecurity in San Jose. Many of our friends and neighbors continue to struggle financially, and this new program, with support from Bay Area organizations in San Jose, will make a difference for tens of thousands of families over the next three years. This partnership demonstrates the positive change we can make together to help those who need it most,” said Carla Peterman, PG&E Corporation Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Chief Sustainability Officer, and Chair of the PG&E Corporation Foundation Board.
The 50,000 meals will be divided into 5,000 meals per month in 2024. The Earthquakes and The PG&E Foundation will partner with a different organization for each of the 10 months to distribute the meals. The Quakes will also contribute additional funds as the program progresses.
“We’re celebrating the amazing contribution and partnership with The Quakes Foundation and The PG&E Foundation. Quite simply, it will make such a huge difference in our community,” said Ewell Sterner, Hunger at Home CEO.
“This partnership with The Quakes Foundation and The PG&E Foundation will impact those in need throughout our communities. The timing of this gift is so wonderful, and it will help us support the community now and into the future,” said David Hott, Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen CEO.
“We’re super grateful for our partnership with The Quakes Foundation and The PG&E Foundation and their support in providing necessary meals, funding, and volunteer support to our programs,” said Ryan Van Den Heuvel, Martha’s Kitchen Development Director.
The Earthquakes kicked off their 50th anniversary celebration this week, announcing a block party and jersey reveal in February 2024 and unveiling the 2024 MLS season schedule on Wednesday.
About the Quakes Foundation:
The Quakes Foundation is the San Jose Earthquakes’ charitable arm, operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The Quakes Foundation promotes unity through sport. We strive to improve health and fitness outcomes for local youth and combat food insecurity in our community. Through the cultivation of the game of soccer, we create and facilitate programs that produce positive impact for children and families in these areas of focus throughout the Bay Area. For more information, visit www.sjearthquakes.com/community.
About The PG&E Corporation Foundation:
The PG&E Corporation Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, separate from PG&E and sponsored by PG&E Corporation.
About Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen:
Loaves & Fishes, since their start in 1980, has been providing hot and nutritious prepared meals, delivered and served to feed hungry families, children, seniors, veterans, students and disabled individuals in the Bay Area. Loaves & Fishes provides over 1.5 million meals each year throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. For more information, visit www.loavesfishes.org.
About Hunger at Home:
Founded in 2020, Hunger at Home, partners with local convention centers, hotels and sports stadiums to collect excess food and goods to distribute to the hungry and homeless in Silicon Valley. To date, Hunger at Home has donated 11 million meals locally and helped distribute much needed items like towels, blankets, kitchen items and hygiene kits. For more information, visit www.hungerathome.org.
About Martha’s Kitchen:
Between its hot meal and grocery programs, Martha’s Kitchen provides nearly 250,000 meals each month. While it has called San Jose home since its founding in 1981, the organization feels called to provide food security to as many communities as possible. Martha’s Kitchen believes that food is a basic human right, not a luxury. It is vital that these communities have access to well-balanced meals, which include proper proteins, vegetables and carbohydrates. For more information, visit www.marthas-kitchen.org.
