At first glance, many would never imagine that hunger exists in Fremont—often dubbed the “happiest city in America” thanks to its strong community, thriving Silicon Valley careers and flourishing local economy. Yet behind that positive image, countless families across the Tri-City area are quietly struggling to make ends meet.
Recent changes to SNAP benefits, rising tariffs and the ever-increasing cost of living have created new hardships for many local residents. Fixed incomes, unexpected job losses and inflation have led to a significant rise in food insecurity among families in Newark, Fremont and Union City.
Standing at the front lines of this growing crisis is Linda Leu, executive director of the Tri-City Volunteer (TCV) Food Bank & Mobile Pantry. Since stepping into her role in Oct. 2024, Leu has brought both compassion and cultural understanding to an organization that now distributes fresh, nutritious food to more than 1,500 families each week.
“There are many individuals and families here who are on fixed incomes or who have lost their jobs due to recent layoffs,” Leu said. “They are doing their best, but simply cannot afford to put enough food on the table.”
Leu’s dedication to ending hunger is rooted deeply in her own story. As the daughter of a first-generation Chinese immigrant family, she spent her childhood surrounded by relatives working in her aunt and uncle’s restaurant. Though resources were limited, she never experienced hunger, largely because her family built a life around food, resilience and togetherness.
She recalls cherished memories that shaped her love for food and culture—watching her grandfather eat birthday cake with chopsticks, celebrating Taiwanese-American Thanksgivings where hot pot rivaled the traditional turkey, and sticky rice replaced stuffing. These moments taught her that food is more than sustenance; it is connection, identity and love.
In Chinese culture, a common greeting is, “Have you eaten?” For Leu, this phrase is not just tradition—it is a lifelong calling. Leu also celebrates the diversity of the Tri-Cities, calling it “deliciously diverse.” Under her leadership, TCV Food Bank honors a wide range of cultural celebrations by distributing special foods during holidays such as Thanksgiving, Lunar New Year, Nowruz (Afghan New Year), Mid-Autumn Festival and Diwali—helping families honor their traditions with dignity.
She credits the heart of the organization to the more than 100 dedicated volunteers who show up week after week to support their neighbors. “They give me faith in the power of community,” says Leu. “They give me hope for the future.”
Leu dreams of a world where food banks are no longer necessary—where every family has the resources and stability to thrive. In the meantime, she remains committed to serving those in need, one meal at a time. And, in true Leu fashion, she even holds out hope that one of her favorite foods—stinky tofu—will one day be less misunderstood and more beloved by all.
For more information about the Tri-City Volunteer Food Bank & Mobile Pantry, visit
tcvfoodbank.org.
