You Can Help Provide Fuel Kids Need This Summer

Published On: June 14th, 2021By Categories: Campaigns3.3 min read

This year’s Feeding San Diego summer programming supports youth by providing meals at 46 sites across the county. According to the San Diego Hunger Coalition, as of November 2020 more than 280,000 kids in San Diego County are at risk of experiencing hunger. While families can still access school meals this summer because of modifications in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are many families who need extra help.  

Fuel for Summer 

Every summer, Feeding San Diego puts the focus on these bright young beings that make our community so wonderful. While our Feeding Kids initiative helps kids in school all year round, it’s essential to shine the light on kids facing hunger at home when school is not in session. Fuel for Summer is more than just a fundraising campaign. It’s a time to help ensure youth are getting the nutrition they need to grow and thrive. We hope you feel inspired to get involved this summer. From chalking your block to raise funds to volunteering at our distribution center and packing boxes for our sites serving youth, the time is now! A big thank you to presenting sponsor Ford Motor Company Fund and San Diego County Ford Dealers, as well as sponsors Telos Capital Management, Wells Fargo, California Bank & Trust, and the Padres Foundation. 

Two kids chalk their block in San Diego  Sun and "Smile" drawn in chalk on the side walk

Get Involved  

Here are some ways to get involved with our Fuel for Summer campaign:  

  • Volunteer: We have a number of volunteer opportunities available for individuals and groups. As of June 16, we are excited to welcome back volunteer groups to our distribution center. This is a fantastic opportunity for families to get involved together (keep in mind that kids must be at least six years old to volunteer). In addition to gleaning and sorting at our distribution center, you can also volunteer at a Together Tour site or become a MealConnect driver. Learn more here.  
  • SWITCHFOOT BRO-AM: This year’s annual concert is again virtual and will be hosted by Drew Shirley, guitarist of local band SWITCHFOOT. The event will be live-streamed on Saturday, June 19, at 5 PM and will include performances by SWITCHFOOT, Phantom Planet, Madison Cunningham, and State to State. Tickets can be purchased here. Proceeds benefit local beneficiaries that support youth programs, including Feeding San Diego. 
  • Chalk Your Block: Chalking your block is a fun, creative way to raise money for people facing hunger in San Diego County, and getting started is easy. Start or contribute to a fund drive, beautify your block, and post pictures online to raise awareness of the issue of hunger in San Diego County.  
  • Kindhumans Challenge: Kindhumans is running a social media benefit campaign for Feeding San Diego where people can create the word kindness out of any materials, snap a photo, post to Instagram, and for every post, they will donate 20 meals to Feeding San Diego. Bonus points: tag three people when you post so they can get in on the fun!  
  • The Garden of Good: TikTok has developed a new simulation game that offers users the ability to grow a virtual garden and give back to Feeding America and its network of food banks (that’s us!). The game is called “The Garden of Good,” and for every pound of harvest donated by TikTok gardeners, TikTok will donate one meal ($0.10) to Feeding America and Feeding America Network Food Banks, up to 40M Meals ($4M). To join the game, all you need to do is click on the Garden of Good icon featuring a diamond and a carrot on the top left side of your TikTok profile. Next up, you will want to select which type of crop you want to grow in your garden. The best part about the game is that it requires almost no effort and is free to use — join the fun today!