Project Hand

 

NEED FOOD?

Project hand Food Pantry
is an Emergency Assistance Food Pantry run by Lutheran Social Services that provides a free 3-day food supply to local families and individuals in need. Must be 18 years old with an ID.

Days and Hours of Distribution Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Rescheduled for Holidays Closed in 2026 on: Jan 9, Jan 19, Feb 13, Feb 16, Mar 13, Apr 3, Apr 10, May 8, May 25, Jun 12, Jun 19, Jul 10, Aug 14, Sep 7, Sep 11, Oct 9, Nov 11, Nov 13, Dec 11, Dec 25
Types of Food Provided Food menu changes monthly. Typical food package include: shelf-stable food items plus occasional fresh produce, dairy items, and frozen meat.
Eligibility Emergency Food Assistance Program Income Guidelines Apply
Helpful Tips – Walk-up services only, please bring a cart & reusable bags

LOCATION

It is located on I Street in Chula Vista, near the corner of Hilltop Drive and I Street, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 580 Hilltop Drive.  There is plenty of free parking. The nearest bus stop is on Hilltop Drive at East I. Street.

PROJECT HAND REGULAR HOURS

M/W/F   9 AM – 2 PM
T/Th      11 AM – 2 PM

To contact Project Hand call: 619-425-4061.

SPECIAL DRIVE-THRU FOOD BANKS

Second Friday of every Month 9am until food is gone – Drive Thru Food Bank

Rescheduled for Holidays No reschedules in 2026
Types of Food Provided Food menu changes monthly. Typical food package include: shelf-stable food items plus occasional fresh produce, dairy items, and frozen meat.
Eligibility Emergency Food Assistance Program Income Guidelines Apply (click below map for chart)
Helpful Tips Drive-thru services

580 Hilltop Drive
Chula Vista, CA 91910

Second Tuesday of every Month 9 am to noon- Drive Thru Food Bank for Seniors

Days and Hours of Distribution 2nd Tuesday of each month from 9:00 am – 11:30 am
Rescheduled for Holidays No holiday reschedules
Types of Food Provided A 30 pound box of food every month that is filled with a variety of nutritious food items. The box usually contains the following items: reduced-fat milk, instant non-fat milk, canned meats, peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables, cheese, rice, pasta, fruit juice and cereal.
Eligibility Senior (60+) only; Senior Food Program Income Guidelines Apply (click below map for chart)

Helpful Tips Walk-up & drive-thru services available. Walk-up services only for those without a vehicle. If walking up, please bring a cart & reusable bags. If this is your first visit, please wait in the car line and our staff will assist you with registration.

 

WANT TO HELP?

Monetary donations are the most useful. We use the money to purchase food at the Food Bank where we can get much more per dollar than you can at the grocery store. Send your check to: St. Mark’s Church, 580 Hilltop Dr. Chula Vista, CA 91910. Put “Project Hand” in the memo.

Venmo
If you are able to use Venmo the St. Mark’s venmo is St. Mark’s Church Chula Vista. The email is office.stmarkscv@gmail.com and the username is @StMarks-ChurchChulaVista Last 4 digits 5089. You can go to it on your app or on the website venmo.com. Put “Project Hand” in the memo.

Pay by Zelle

Or if you prefer you can send your donation through Zelle. Scan this QR code in your banking app to pay St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church stmarkscv.
Put “Project Hand” in the memo. 

Food items are provided to hundreds of individuals each month.  We need support from individuals and churches in the area all year long, especially during these times of great unemployment. Thank you for your willingness to assist in helping local families. Your monetary donation goes to buy food from the food bank in San Diego and those food dollars buy a lot!

If you would like to donate food items, the following is a list of suggested items. Think nutritious-filling foods and meals when donating.

 

 

FKODAK Digital Still CameraOOD ITEMS:

Breakfast: oatmeal or cold cereals, powdered milk, Pop Tarts, dried fruits, canned fruits and applesauce, juices.

Lunch or Dinner: bread, peanut butter, jelly, soups, saltine crackers, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti/pasta sauces, pasta, canned vegetables, canned meats (chicken, tuna, etc.) casserole makings, dried beans, rice, non-perishable boxed items, prepared canned meals, Top Ramen soups.

Miscellaneous: fresh fruits and vegetables, plastic grocery bags.

NOTE:  PLEASE NO OUTDATED ITEMS OR DENTED CANS.

You may drop off your food donations any time you are at church in the GROCERY CART at worship or put a note on your check or offering envelope that it is for “Project Hand” and put it in the offering plate when it is passed during worship.