Feeding San Diego Named 2026 Non-Profit of the Year by San Diego Business Chamber
San Diego County’s only Feeding America partner food bank recognized for rescuing surplus food as affordability challenges drive rising demand
Feeding San Diego, the leading hunger-relief and food rescue organization in San Diego County, has been named the 2026 Nonprofit of the Year by San Diego Business Chamber, formerly known as the San Diego North Chamber of Commerce. This award is part of the Chamber’s 2026 Leadership Awards, held annually. The announcement was made during the organization’s annual Celebration of Business event, held at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, on June 24.
“As a proud member of the San Diego Business Chamber, we’re honored to be recognized for the work we do for our community,” said Feeding San Diego CEO Bob Kamensky. “As a nonprofit organization, our mission requires the support of the greater San Diego community – businesses, government, private donors, volunteers, and other non-profits. By raising awareness within the business community, we can develop collaborative partnerships – whether financial or through volunteerism – that help us better serve San Diegans facing food insecurity. Given these turbulent times related to social services relief, these partnerships become that much more important.”
Founded by philanthropist Gwendolyn Sontheim in 2007, Feeding San Diego is the only Feeding America partner food bank in the region. The nonprofit works with a vast network of food donors to rescue surplus food and get it to people facing hunger. Through this sustainable model, Feeding San Diego serves more than 31 million meals annually to children, families, seniors, college students, military families, and veterans in partnership with a network of more than 350 local charities, schools, colleges, faith communities, health care providers, and meal sites. Last year, 90% of the food distributed by Feeding San Diego was rescued, redirecting high-quality food rather than letting it go to waste. By rescuing food, the organization provides critical support to the county in meeting local, regional, and national sustainability goals. By diverting more than 32.6 million pounds of food from the landfill each year and using it to feed people facing hunger, Feeding San Diego helps avert 28,986 metric tons of CO2 from being emitted, protecting people and the planet.
“Feeding San Diego exemplifies what it means to serve with purpose. Their unwavering commitment to addressing food insecurity, strengthening our communities, and improving lives across San Diego County makes them truly deserving of this recognition,” said San Diego Business Chamber CEO Chris Thorne. “Congratulations to Bob Kamensky and the entire Feeding San Diego team on being named the San Diego Business Chamber’s 2026 Non-Profit of the Year.”
Following its large-scale pandemic response from 2020 to 2023, Feeding San Diego has continued to expand its programs as community needs have risen. According to Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap, food insecurity in San Diego County now exceeds pre-pandemic levels, with low-income residents facing rising costs for essentials such as housing, groceries, and healthcare. In the past fiscal year, the nonprofit distributed 36 million pounds of food through 350 partner organizations across the county. The organization has prioritized older adults, rural communities, and families, expanding its School Pantry Program to 76 K–12 schools, with a goal of reaching 100 by 2030. To support children during the summer months, Feeding San Diego increased the number of seasonal distribution sites by 38%. It also coordinates home-delivered meals for seniors and children in rural East and Southeastern San Diego County. Additionally, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors recently selected Feeding San Diego to distribute food at county facilities in 16 zip codes that are experiencing significant impacts from CalFresh benefit changes; planning for this effort is underway.
