San Diego, CA (Jan. 29, 2026) – International Relief Teams has donated 28,776 pounds of shelf-stable nut and seed butters to the San Diego Food Bank, continuing its commitment to help bridge the growing gap for San Diegans facing food insecurity due to loss of public benefits and ongoing financial hardship.
The donation includes 15,840 16-ounce jars of peanut butter and 12,936 16-ounce jars of sunflower butter — high-demand items that provide essential protein, have a long shelf life, and are easy for families to use at home. Both products are consistently sought after by the Food Bank to meet the needs of individuals and families across San Diego County. “Nut butter is one of the most requested items at the Food Bank because it’s high in protein, shelf‑stable, and something kids love. This donation plays a critical role in helping us provide a nutritious, reliable food option to households facing food insecurity,” said Casey Castillo, CEO of the San Diego Food Bank.
As food insecurity rises amid increased costs of living and reduced assistance programs, partnerships like this play a critical role in ensuring reliable access to nutritious food.
“Every shipment of food matters,” said Rose Uranga, Chief Operating Officer of International Relief Teams. “Whether it’s jars of peanut butter or pallets of rice, we work closely with the San Diego Food Bank to identify the most urgent needs and deliver food directly to the San Diego Food Bank so it can be distributed quickly and efficiently to families who need it most.”
International Relief Teams has a longstanding history of responding to humanitarian needs both locally and globally. The organization regularly partners with global organizations to provide food, water, hygiene kits, medicine, and disaster relief to vulnerable populations.
This latest donation underscores International Relief Teams’ ongoing commitment of supporting food security efforts in the region and ensuring that families facing uncertainty have access to nutritious, dependable food options.
For more information about International Relief Teams and its programs, visit irteams.org.
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About International Relief Teams
International Relief Teams is a San Diego-based humanitarian nonprofit with a global footprint, dedicated to alleviating human suffering caused by poverty and disaster. Since 1988, we have delivered more than $770 million in humanitarian aid across 78 countries to over six million individuals. Our model emphasizes trusted local partnerships, rapid deployment of aid, and long-term recovery support.
About the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank
Established in 1977, the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization in San Diego County. Serving as the countywide food safety net, the Food Bank provides nutritious food to people in need, advocates on behalf of the hungry, and educates the public about hunger-related issues. Through a network of direct service programs and more than 450 nonprofit partners, the Food Bank serves an average of 400,000 people every month. In fiscal year 2025, the organization distributed over 52 million pounds of food — equivalent to more than 43.3 million meals. Learn more at sandiegofoodbank.org and follow us @sdfoodbank.