Through regular food donations, board leadership, and hands-on volunteerism, local Owner-Operator Jon Hooper partners directly with ECAP, a nonprofit that helps feed more than 300 families across the San Francisco Bay Area daily.
For more than 35 years, the Emeryville Citizens Assistance Program (ECAP) has served as a welcoming anchor for neighbors facing food insecurity across the San Francisco Bay Area. ECAP’s volunteer-led team provides essential food support directly to more than 300 families daily, operating like a grocery store without the barrier of costs.
For Bobby Miller, Director of ECAP, addressing hunger on this scale is about building a network of care across the neighborhood. “It’s so important for businesses and organizations to get involved, care about their community and help their community meet its needs,” Miller stated.
Standing alongside ECAP is Jon Hooper, local Owner-Operator of Chick-fil-A Emeryville. Hooper was introduced to ECAP before his restaurant opened more than three years ago, and his commitment to addressing local food insecurity is rooted in his personal journey.
“I grew up in a space where I didn’t have a lot, and food wasn’t something that was always accessible. Partnering with an organization like this is near and dear to my heart, and it aligns with who I am… We’re able to impact those who may face food insecurity and help fight hunger.”
— Jon Hooper, Local Owner-Operator, Chick-fil-A Emeryville
Hooper’s restaurant regularly donates surplus prepared food to ECAP, helping provide high-demand items alongside pantry staples and produce. Beyond food donations, Hooper serves on ECAP’s board of directors, helping support the nonprofit’s community outreach and long-term growth.
With the support of Hooper and his team, ECAP recently unveiled its newly renovated food recovery and donation facility, which is located beneath affordable housing units in Emeryville. The upgraded indoor space allows the nonprofit to serve more neighbors and expand access to fresh, nutritious food in the community.
“ECAP is really the fabric of Emeryville… It’s the heartbeat of our community,” Hooper said. “[The new facility] is an exciting moment for the Emeryville community and the East Bay as a whole because we’re going to be able to serve many, many families and many people facing food insecurity.”
By showing up consistently and building direct community ties, local business owners and grassroots leaders can work together to help ensure neighbors have access to the meals and support they need.
