1994 – 2024
30 Years of Harvesting and Sharing
Fighting Food Insecurity
We feed the hungry by gathering surplus crops and unsold groceries for food distributors across San Diego County. Help us by volunteering, donating or both!
Latest News
WOW! Another amazing year of growth in pounds gleaned.
The numbers are in and the Senior Gleaners collected and distributed 419,056 pounds of food countywide in 2025! That is an impressive 15% increase over 2024, which was also a record year. It’s food to feed people that would otherwise go to waste, littering yards and decomposing into methane gas.
A GIANT thank you to everyone involved, the residents who donated their produce, and the hundreds of volunteers who picked trees and who drove to grocery stores to transport surplus food to our distribution partners. It goes without saying that it is because of all of you that we have this great success!
Welcome Lane’ Richards as the New Senior Gleaner’s Treasurer
Lane’ Richards has recently joined the Senior Gleaners board of directors as our treasurer. Lane’ is a program finance manager with Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc., providing financial leadership for complex, grant-funded nonprofit programs across multiple states. She brings a varied background in international trade, instructional design, and small business ownership, which informs her practical, solutions-oriented approach to financial oversight. She brings a deep commitment to mission-driven work, sustainability, and community impact, shaped in part by her background as a certified master recycler in Portland and her upbringing in rural Alaska. Lane’ says she” is honored to serve as treasurer of Senior Gleaners of San Diego County in support of its mission to reduce food insecurity while enriching the lives of seniors.”
Philanthropic Partners
Thank You to Our Generous Financial Supporters!
Senior Gleaners relies mostly upon private gifts to fund our operations. While we do appreciate the funding support that we get from foundation and local government grants, it is the sum total of smaller gifts from individuals that makes up the backbone of our dependable income.
The majority of gifts come in during the fourth quarter. And last year was no exception. We are so thankful for the $13,870 we received in December alone. We appreciate them all, no matter how big or small. THANK YOU.
Save the Date for Our Annual Volunteer Appreciation Potluck
We usually celebrate our volunteers in April during Volunteer Month, but this year due to busy schedules, several Senior Gleaner events already scheduled in April and feedback from last year saying the preference is a weekend, rather than a weekday, we had to push it to early May. Save the date. Put it on your calendars. Our Senior Gleaner Volunteer Appreciation Potluck will be on Saturday, May 9, 2026 from 11:30 to 1:30. It will be at the Cathy Hopper Clairemonth Friendship Center, the same place as last year, 4425 Bannock Ave, San Diego, CA 92117.
We are delighted to share that the past-president Margaret Burton will be in town and will join us. Come say hi and learn what she has been up to since her move to Texas.
2026 International Gleaning Symposium in San Diego
Every year the Association of Gleaning Organizations hold a symposium to gather gleaners from around North America to meet, share and learn. Senior Gleaners is the host organization this year. The event is April 29 through May 1 at the Marina Village in Mission Bay. (Thank you to those of you who offered venue suggestions last fall!)
There is a fee to attend, but considering that it is here, thus eliminating travel and hotel costs, you may want to consider it. The in-person registration is $200 and includes a hosted reception Wednesday evening and lunches on Thursday and Friday. The virtual registration from the comfort of your home is $75. It will end mid-afternoon on Friday. Learn more at Gleaning Symposium – Association of Gleaning Organizations.
San Diego Senior Gleaners Achieves Gold
Seal of Transparency! 
We are thrilled to announce that San Diego Senior Gleaners has officially progressed from the Silver Seal to the prestigious Gold Seal of Transparency with Candid! 
This achievement reflects our commitment to transparency and accountability in serving our community. Thank you for your continued support! 
Volunteer
We welcome volunteers 55 years and above. Sign up today by completing our online form.
Donate a Crop
Our crews glean from as few as one or two backyard trees, orchards and farms. If you have crops to donate please contact us. You receive a receipt for tax deductions.
Donate Funds
We rely on grants and donations from our volunteers, their family members and residents. Please support our work with funds, vehicles and more.
Reduce Waste
About 40% of landfill volume is organic material — much of it food waste, producing harmful methane gas. Learn better ways to shop, store food and protect the environment.
Gleaners in Action
What’s a Gleaner? For centuries, gleaners have collected food that would otherwise be wasted. The term originates from landowners leaving portions of their fields or crops for the poor to glean — collect bit by bit.
We Made Quite a Community Impact in 2025
242,330
Pounds Crops Picked
175,827
Pounds Groceries Collected
7669
Volunteer Hours Recorded
355
San Diego County Resident Donors
Read What San Diegans are Saying About Us
Residential Fruit Donor
“I rely on the gleaning crew to help me pick my trees. I donate in memory of my wife who planted them many years ago.”
Leonard S.
Senior Volunteer
“Why I like gleaning: It’s useful, fun, outdoors, reduces waste, feeds people. When picking I’m enmeshed in layers of generosity: from those who grow the food; from pickers who give time, work, gas; from distributors; and from many recipients who share the food with family and neighbors.”
Anne G.S.
Monetary Donor
“My daughter is one of your volunteers and she feels strongly about the organization.”
Linda L.
Surplus Food Distributor
“Our clients are delighted to see fresh fruit and more-so when they learn it was donated and picked by neighbors.”
Angela W., Heaven’s Windows
Your Questions Answered
What does the Senior Gleaners organization do?
We provide quality food, otherwise wasted, to those needing it the most while giving meaningful activity to seniors.
How can I contribute to Senior Gleaners?
Volunteer to harvest crops, collect groceries, donate equipment and funds or employ special skills to support our mission.
How do I get started at my first glean?
After you register, a crew leader will contact you and assign you to a glean. They will also provide a brief orientation with helpful tips and information about the property. New grocery volunteers join crews using their own vehicles or a Senior Gleaners van.
Want to give us a try before joining or bringing a friend?
Get a Guest Waiver and give it to the crew leader at the glean. We also require the waiver for ALL minor guests who must be at least five years old.
How are gleans planned?
Our system assigns donors to the crew leader covering their geographic area. We meet or speak with crop owners and discuss logistics before scheduling the glean.
Who should I contact if I have additional questions?
Email info@seniorgleanerssdco.org or call 619.633.9180. We are always happy to assist you.
