San Diego Food Bank Recognized Dozens of Community Food Drive Hosts at Annual Recognition Ceremony

The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank hosted our annual Food Drive Recognition Luncheon & Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. During the ceremony, we celebrated those in our community who came together to support our neighbors in need by organizing the collection of nutrient-rich foods through both physical and virtual food drives. This year, we celebrated our outstanding campaign partners, community organizations and groups who dedicated themselves to making a positive impact on hunger-relief efforts in San Diego County. The Food Bank awarded 60 groups with either a plaque or one of the Food Bank’s coveted stacked can trophies, which was presented to those who were able to garner the highest number of pounds donated in their respective categories.

During the ceremony, San Diego Food Bank CEO Casey Castillo expressed both his gratitude and admiration for those who were willing to contribute to our mission and help provide shelf-stable food to nourish families in need.

“Food drives make it possible for the San Diego Food Bank to continue to serve as the county’s food safety net. Each of these food drives showed us just how kindhearted and generous the people of San Diego County are and continue to be - always ready to step in and help,” Castillo said.

Kimberley Layton, our Chief Advancement & Communications Officer announced the names of each honoree, and our CEO Casey Castillo presented them with their respective award as a small gesture of our appreciation. Castillo also took photos with all the honorees, including staff from local grocery stores, gyms, and realty companies. We continued the afternoon by enjoying each other's company and reflected on the positive impact our food drive partners have made on the San Diego community.

As a community, more than 1,500 food drives generated 2,225,307 pounds of food in 2023. These donations, paired with community support, are essential for the Food Bank to continue our critical mission of serving 400,000 a month, on average.

If you are interested in registering your food drive visit our “Host a Food Drive” landing page for more information.

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Congratulations to all our 2023 Food Drive Honorees!

Annual Campaign and Partnership Awards

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Food Drive:

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

• Our Father’s Grace Ministries

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Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive

• National Association of Letter Carriers- Branch 70

• National Association of Letter Carriers- Branch 2525

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Scare Away Hunger Peanut Butter Drive

• First Citizens Bank

• San Diego United Lions Club

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Grocery Outlet “Independence from Hunger” Food Drive

• Grocery Outlet Mira Mesa

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Pack the Pantry Food Drive

• Cal Coast Credit Union Fall Food Drive

• Barons Market

• Baker Home Energy

• Local Media San Diego

• NBC 7 San Diego

• Telemundo 20 Summer Food Drive

• Albertsons Vons

• PNC Bank

• SDG&E

• Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation

• Audacy

• CBS 8 & CW

• The San Diego Union-Tribune

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John & Tammy Food Fund

• John & Tammy 103.7 FM KSON

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Holiday Food Drive

• Albertsons Vons

• Aya Healthcare

• Bank of America

• Delta Dental

• First 5 San Diego

• San Diego County Toyota Dealers

• FOX 5 San Diego

• KUSI News

• The San Diego Union-Tribune

• iHeartMedia

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Community Food Drives Awards

*Stacked can award winners are bolded

Top School Partner Award

• Point Loma High School

• R. Roger Rowe Elementary School

• La Costa Meadows Elementary School

• Patrick Henry High School

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Best in Health & Wellness

• Sharp HealthCare

• SoCal Athletics

• Club Pilates

• Mesa Rim Climbing Centers

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Best in Tech & Manufacturing

• Biolinq

• Nice North America LLC

• The Upper Deck Company

• Inova Diagnostics

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Best in Realty Partner Award

• Bay Ho Community Food Drive

• Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty

• Keller Williams Realty

• Dan Anderson Real Estate Group

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Best in Finance

• Summit Financial Group

• Commonwealth Financial Network

• Frontwave Credit Union

• LPL Financial

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Top Community Partner Award

• San Diego Blood Bank

• Rancho Peñasquitos Branch Library

• Heart to Hands Food Drive

• National Charity League of San Diego

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Virtual Food Drive Award

• Fish & Richardson

• Escientpharma

• Greystar

• Retired Employee Association City of San Diego

• Cibus Ltd.