Meals on Wheels San Francisco (MOWSF) has long been a leader in delivering daily meals to homebound seniors—serving over 5,500 clients in 2023 alone. Their mission is rooted in the belief that access to nutritious food is essential for dignity, health, and independence. As one recipient shared, “Without these meals, I’d have to choose between eating and paying rent. It’s more than food—it’s peace of mind.” While MOWSF’s core mission focuses on older adults, the organization expanded its reach in partnership with Bay Area Bright Futures by launching its first-ever youth nutrition program. Funded by a BABF grant, this pilot was introduced at the Salvation Army Kroc Center in San Francisco, marking a major step in adapting MOWSF’s trusted model to meet the needs of underserved youth.

Following the success of the pilot, the program evolved to include Weekend Wellness Bags—an initiative designed to support not only youth, but their entire families. These bags include fresh fruits and vegetables, grains for home cooking, and frozen meals that families can heat up, providing both immediate nutrition and ingredients for homemade meals. The goal is to reduce weekend food insecurity and promote healthier eating habits in the home. At-risk children often receive a large amount of their daily nutrition through school and after-school programs, leaving a gap on weekends when those services pause. Children cannot learn if they are hungry—they cannot focus, grow, or thrive.

The program now operates at both of The Salvation Army Kroc Center and Fam 1st Family Foundation, ensuring consistent access to nutritious food alongside enrichment programs.

The Salvation Army Kroc Center, located in San Francisco’s Tenderloin, provides essential after-school and summer programming for youth in one of the city’s most underserved neighborhoods. In 2024, the center delivered 12,595 days of care, served 185 students, distributed 3,167 hot lunches, provided 16,573 meals and snacks, and equipped students with 570 backpacks filled with school supplies. More than a recreation space, the Kroc Center offers a safe, structured, and culturally responsive environment for children navigating trauma, learning challenges, or housing instability.

With support from Bay Area Bright Futures, the Kroc Center has expanded its enrichment programming—offering more consistent, high-quality activities during out-of-school hours. BABF’s grant also enabled the Kroc Center to reallocate internal resources by transitioning from an in-house meal program to the more efficient MOWSF youth nutrition model. This shift allowed staff and funding to be redirected toward academic and enrichment efforts, maximizing the Center’s reach and impact without compromising nutritional support.

Fam 1st Family Foundation was founded in 2006 by Marshawn Lynch and Josh Johnson while they were in college, with a mission to uplift their Oakland community and empower underserved youth. The organization blends mentorship, athletics, academics, and real-world experiences to promote long-term success and self-sufficiency. Its programs span architecture and design, youth-led coding, music production, culinary arts, and business and financial literacy—equipping young people with both practical skills and creative outlets.

With support from Bay Area Bright Futures, Fam 1st has significantly expanded its reach and capacity. BABF volunteers lead weekly financial literacy, culinary, and career readiness classes as part of the summer program. In addition to hands-on involvement, BABF has provided critical infrastructure support—securing pro bono consulting from Bain Capital, helping build financial models to track revenue and expenses, and advising on funding strategies to strengthen long-term sustainability.

BABF also coordinated a transportation contract with Zum Services (formerly Groom), adding a dedicated stop at the West Oakland Youth Center for students from 25 public schools. This addition ensures safe, consistent access to after-school programming and should increase participation across all age groups. Together, Fam 1st and BABF are expanding access, deepening impact, and opening new pathways for Oakland youth.