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
Help Feed San Diego’s Hungry Families
Up to 216,000 children in San Diego go to bed hungry each night. Your donation can help us reach our $2,500 goal to provide meals for families in need.
Mimi Mora
Joins Board as Treasurer
Mimi Nguyen Mora has joined the Senior Gleaners Board of Directors as treasurer after less than a year as a Gleaners volunteer with the North County crew. She has focused on mentoring and volunteer work since retiring in 2022 as co-president of L&T Precision, a contract manufacturing company for sheet metal & machining products in Poway. She was involved in many aspects of the company for nearly 30 years, primarily as vice president of sales and administration. Prior to that, she was a computer programmer with Xerox Corporation. She also volunteers with Make-A-Wish and as a mentor with the Executive Women’s Summit. She has bachelor’s degrees in mathematics/computer science and economics from UCSD.
Mimi and her family were major participants in planning and developing elements of the successful 30th Anniversary celebration held in September. She learned about Senior Gleaners through board member Arlene Hasegawa and said she is happy to support the mission because it is a worthy cause to help reduce waste and is a rewarding way to stay active and give back.
Mimi replaces Rita Bastani, who started as treasurer this summer, but has returned to work after a brief retirement.
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 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.
