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Second Harvest Food Hoping To Raise $300,000 To Fill Campaign Shortfall

SAN JOSE (KCBS)—The Second Harvest Food Bank in Silicon Valley is hoping for a belated Christmas present from the community.

According to their CEO, Kathy Jackson, this is the first year they came up short in their holiday fundraising campaign, which could put needy families at risk.

Jackson said it hasn't happened in a number of years, and that they're looking for $300,000 to meet their goal of $12.4 million. She partly blames December's fiscal cliff for having spooked some donors.

"There was a lot of uncertainty for a lot of people and I think that just slowed donations," said Jackson.

Volunteers at the company's warehouse were somewhat surprised about the shortfall.

"Everyone is so living a fast-paced life in the Silicon Valley that maybe they just don't know or they're too wrapped up in their own lives," said Wes Porter with Maxim Integrated, a semi-conductor company.

The food bank is hoping that donors will come forward soon to bridge a food gap of about 600,000 meals.

Second Harvest Food Hoping To Raise $300,000 To Fill Campaign Shortfall

Unlike many food banks, Second Harvest does not charge a dime for the over 40-million meals it distributes in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.

More than half of the food distributed is fresh produce. Second Harvest also plays a leading role in promoting federal nutrition programs and educating families on how to make healthier food choices. Visit www.SHFB.org to get involved.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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