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
Register NOW!
Please click the button below to RSVP by September 9, 2024.
Senior Gleaners Founder
Founding member and long-time board president/member Laurel Gray reflects on 30 years of gleaning. Read more about Laurel Gray on our About page.
New General Manager
The Senior Gleaners Board of Directors has hired Lisa Lindgren as the first part-time general manager for the organization.
Lisa started work recently. She came to San Diego in 1990 with the idea to volunteer and get involved in the community. After decades of volunteering and supporting herself as a high-tech marketing consultant, followed by several years in nonprofit management, she has come to Senior Gleaners.
Lisa has direct experience gleaning and understands the importance of ensuring food security to families. “I believe we need to work collectively and collaboratively to address food insecurity given the high cost of living in San Diego County,” she said. “Families should never have to decide between paying rent or buying food,” she added. “I look forward to taking an active role in ensuring an abundance of food across our county.”
Lisa has excellent management and operational skills and worked most recently as executive director of HandsOn San Diego the past three years. In that position, she had “hands on” experience with communication, marketing, media outreach, volunteer coordination and fundraising.
Lisa and her husband live in the Bay Park Community of San Diego. In her spare time, she volunteers with Soroptimist International and enjoys reading and horseback riding.
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 2023
112,885
Pounds Crops Picked
36,256
Pounds Groceries Collected
3,871
Volunteer Hours Recorded
228
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.
