For Immediate Release

The San Diego Foundation Funds Local Nonprofits Providing Food Security, Assistance

San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund Swells to $8.3 million

April 9, 2020 – San Diego, CA – The San Diego Foundation today announced $1 million in additional rapid response grants to local nonprofit organizations providing food security and financial assistance to seniors, children, restaurant workers and other vulnerable populations through the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund.

To date, the Fund has granted $2.7 million to San Diego organizations working on the frontline to support individuals, families and communities impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.

Thanks to the generosity of more than 1,946 individuals, companies, foundations and donors at The San Diego Foundation, the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund has raised $8.3 million and in one week earned a $500,000 match from the Halicioglu Family Foundation to support San Diegans in need.

Recent donations also include $200,000 from Genentech, $150,000 from the Wells Fargo and $100,000 from the Colonel Frank C. Wood Memorial Fund at The San Diego Foundation.

The $1 million in additional grant funding includes $330,000 to San Diego Hunger Coalition, $300,000 of which will go immediately to support school districts through the Hunger Free Kids COVID Response Initiative, a partnership between the Coalition and other regional leaders and organizations dedicated to providing food assistance for San Diegans in times of need.

Together with partners in education, hunger relief, public health, government and philanthropy, the Hunger Free Kids COVID Response Initiative will leverage the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund grant with existing government-funded nutrition programs to meet the increased need for food assistance among San Diego children and to provide safe working environments for staff and volunteers.

“We have seen incredible courage and innovation on the part of school district nutrition service directors countywide, who have sprung into action to help students in need,” shared Anahid Brakke, Executive Director of San Diego Hunger Coalition. “We applaud The San Diego Foundation for directing funds to our region’s school districts. This grant funding will be matched ten-fold by jumpstarting the flow of federally-funded school meals back into our hunger relief system.”

The grant to the San Diego Hunger Coalition is made possible thanks to the Bosch Milk Fund at The San Diego Foundation, a donor-advised fund created by the late philanthropist Anita Bosch to provide meal assistance to San Diego school children who might be otherwise undernourished.

“Lost access to school meals due to COVID-19 has placed thousands of San Diego school children at risk of going hungry,” shared Mark Stuart, President & CEO of The San Diego Foundation. “The Hunger Free Kids COVID Response Initiative and its leaders are working diligently with San Diego County school districts to deliver vital nutrition to our some of our youngest and most vulnerable residents.”

Businesses, individuals and organizations can donate and find additional information about the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund at SDFoundation.org/COVID19 where nonprofit organizations can also find information about how to request grant funding or an interest-free loan.

To view a complete list of rapid response grants to date, visit SDFoundation.org/COVID19. The latest round of rapid response grants include:

San Diego Hunger Coalition – $330,000

To support the Hunger Free Kids COVID Response Initiative andincrease the capacity and resources available for San Diego County school districts to provide safe, curbside meal assistance to students who, prior to COVID-19, relied on school meal programs for daily meals.

Restaurant Works Relief Initiative (via Mission Edge San Diego) – $250,000

Through a partnership with Cohn Restaurant Group, to provide financial assistance to restaurant employees affected by layoffs and reduced working hours.

Meals on Wheels – $150,000

To help meet the increased demand from quarantined seniors who rely on food assistance deliveries by volunteers for food, social connection and wellness checks.

Father Joe’s Village – $60,000

To support the needs of San Diegans experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 crisis, including health care, shelter, food and more.

American Red Cross – $60,000

To provide disaster relief for San Diegans in need, as well as ensure local hospitals continue to have the blood supply they need to treat patients.

Serving Seniors – $50,000

To expand the number of meals that are provided to food insecure and quarantined seniors during this crisis.

ElderHelp of San Diego – $50,000

To support seniors in need, especially those who are isolated or home bound with limited access to food, medical services and family support.

2-1-1 San Diego – $50,000

To provide flexible resources to the 2-1-1 San Diego and its call center, which is helping tens of thousands of San Diegans find the services and support they need. 

Grantmaking from the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund focuses on food security; other essential living expenses; emergent needs; and rent and utility payment support. The fund will also provide interest-free loans for nonprofit organizations to provide business and community service continuity.

The San Diego Foundation is part of a national movement of more than 300 community foundations that have mobilized over $400 million to aid in the COVID-19 public health and economic crisis through response funds. Individual donations are bolstered by San Diego corporations and numerous donor-advised funds at The San Diego Foundation that have contributed to the San Diego COVID-19 Response Fund.

One hundred percent of donations to the San Diego COVID-19 Response Fund will be provided to nonprofits helping San Diegans impacted by the coronavirus. Funds will be released on a rolling basis as fundraising continues throughout the coronavirus outbreak and its recovery phases.

The San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund at The San Diego Foundation was created in partnership with San Diego County Supervisor and Co-Chair of the COVID-19 Subcommittee Nathan Fletcher, San Diego Gas & Electric, United Way of San Diego County, San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, NEWS 8 and Alliance Healthcare Foundation.

Learn more at SDFoundation.org/COVID19.

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About The San Diego Foundation

The San Diego Foundation maximizes the impact of your charitable giving. We mobilize philanthropic resources to advance quality of life, increase social impact and champion civic engagement. For more than 40 years, The Foundation and our donors have granted more than $1.2 billion to grow a vibrant San Diego region. Learn more on our website, and consider a donation to the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund.

Contact

Justin Nunez, The San Diego Foundation, 336-254-7056, justin@sdfoundation.org