Funds will help expand weekend meal support for thousands of elementary students facing food insecurity across San Diego County.
San Diego, CA (May 15, 2025) – On Saturday, May 3, 2025, the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank welcomed more than 300 guests to its 13th annual Gala — a one-of-a-kind evening of generosity held inside the organization’s 90,000-square-foot warehouse in Miramar.
The event raised a record-breaking $1.25 million, fueled in part by a generous $350,000 matching gift from Neurocrine Biosciences, which helped double the impact of the live auction and Fund-A-Program Paddle Raise. All proceeds will benefit the San Diego Food Bank’s hunger-relief efforts, including its critical Food 4 Kids Backpack Program.
“We are incredibly grateful to our supporters, chefs, sponsors, staff, and volunteers who helped make this year’s Gala our most successful yet,” said Casey Castillo, CEO of the San Diego Food Bank. “These funds will allow us to sustain and grow programs like the Food 4 Kids Backpack Program, ensuring more children return to school each Monday nourished and ready to learn.”
Due to forecasted rain, the entire celebration was moved indoors — giving attendees a rare glimpse into the very spaces where food is received, sorted, and distributed to tens of thousands of San Diegans each month. Guests enjoyed an inspiring evening of live music from Republic of Music, a gourmet multi-course dinner, and an exciting lineup of auction items — all surrounded by the mission in action.
The Food 4 Kids Backpack Program provides weekend bags of food to children who face chronic hunger when free school meals are unavailable. The program currently serves more than 3,700 students at over 90 elementary schools across San Diego County — all of which have at least 80% of their students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals. Funded entirely by private donations, the program costs $300 to support one child for the full 36-week school year.
This year’s Gala was co-chaired by Amy Jacobs and Jennifer Anderson and emceed by Carlo Cecchetto and Marcella Lee of CBS News 8. The event was made possible through the generosity of sponsors, including Title Sponsor Dr. Irwin M. Jacobs and Gold Sponsor Coregiving, as well as Richard & Richard Construction Company and Jerri-Ann and Gary Jacobs, San Diego Mojo.
In addition to a three-course meal, guests were treated to signature dishes prepared by some of San Diego’s most acclaimed chefs, including Chef Daniel and Chef Dante Romero, Two Ducks; Chef Jeff Roberto, Sushi on a Roll; Chef Travis Swikard, Callie; Chef Josh Reynolds, Ponyboy; and Chef Evan Cruz and Chef Ricardo Heredia, Cohn Restaurant Group. The culinary experience was guided by 2025 Chef Co-Chairs Chef Sara Polczynski, owner and culinary artisan for Seasoned Plates, and Chef Vaughn Vargus, Sr. Executive Chef for UC San Diego’s Residential, Retail and Supply Chain Services (RRSS) Dining Division.
Beyond the gourmet dishes and behind-the-scenes setting, the Gala’s true impact will be felt in classrooms, kitchens, and communities across San Diego for months to come.
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About the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank
Established in 1977, the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank is the food safety net for all of San Diego County, providing food to people in need, advocating for the hungry, and educating the public about hunger-related issues. Through a combination of programs and robust network of more than 450 local partners, the San Diego Food Bank distributed more than 50 million pounds of food and supplies in FY 23-24 to individuals and families through our regional network of services. Join us online at sandiegofoodbank.org and @sdfoodbank on social media.