We are proud to share some exciting news…

Our Centers for a Healthy Lifestyle have been named the San Diego Food Bank’s Partner of the Year for the Vista Food Bank (North County).

This recognition is a testament to the dedication, compassion, and hard work of our entire team as we strive every day to combat food insecurity and ensure that young people and families in our community have access to nutritious meals.

The award reflects much more than a single accomplishment. It recognizes the impact our program has throughout North County, where we provide critical food access while creating meaningful opportunities for youth development and workforce training.

At the heart of this success is our incredible culinary team. Every day, staff and participants work together to prepare fresh, nutritious meals that nourish local youth. A special thank you goes to Kierstin O’Kelley, Director of Culinary Arts, and Renilda Gill, Kitchen Manager, and the entire culinary team for their unwavering commitment to serving our community with care and excellence.

Through our Transitional Age Youth (TAY) workforce program called COOK, young people gain valuable hands-on experience in food preparation, cooking, packaging, and distribution. Together, they help produce and deliver approximately 4,000 free meals each month to youth across North County. These efforts not only address hunger but also provide workforce development opportunities that help young people build skills and confidence for the future.

Our partnership with the San Diego Food Bank plays a vital role in making this work possible.

Each week, our team obtains between 500 and 1,500 pounds of food, including fresh produce, proteins, dairy products, and pantry staples. These resources allow us to prepare meals from scratch, stock family pantries at our Griset (Encinitas), Oceanside, and La Colonia (Eden Gardens) Clubhouses, and provide food boxes for our ROADS participants and staff.

By keeping food costs low while maintaining high-quality nutrition, this partnership enables us to expand our reach and continue providing free meals to youth participating in at-risk after-school programs throughout North County.

Most importantly, this award highlights the real impact of our work: increasing food access, reducing food insecurity, supporting families, and investing in the health and well-being of our community. Every meal served represents a commitment to helping young people thrive.

We are deeply grateful to the San Diego Food Bank for this recognition and for their ongoing partnership. We also extend our sincere thanks to our staff, supporters, volunteers, and community partners who make this work possible every day.

Together, we are creating healthier futures, one meal at a time.