Community Benefit partner School of Arts and Culture at MHP is removing economic barriers in East San Jose’s Mayfair neighborhood with the Los Mercaditos Hunger Relief Program. Twice a month, families can receive free, healthy food at community farmers markets.
When you visit the School of Arts and Culture at MHP (SOAC), in the heart of East San Jose’s Mayfair neighborhood, you can feel the cultural pride and community resilience. As a community arts center, convener and hub, Community Benefit partner SOAC focuses on ways to overcome historical oppression that continues to surface as social, economic and health disparities. One approach is to provide families with essential needs like food.
El Camino Health’s Community Benefit Grant Program helps support SOAC’s Los Mercaditos Hunger Relief Program. This initiative began in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, in response to rising food insecurity in East San Jose. Partnering with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, SOAC stepped up to give families fresh groceries and a dignified experience. Years later, both the need and commitment continue.
With Community Benefit program funding, SOAC hosts bi-monthly farmers market events for low-income, working-class families, providing 45 pounds of healthy food per household.
Free food distribution through the Los Mercaditos Hunger Relief Program ensures that every family has access to the nourishment they need and supports economic stability, a critical need outlined in the fiscal year 2026 Implementation Strategy Report and Community Benefit Plan.
See the complete list of fiscal year 2026 grant partners.
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