Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest San Diego Awarded $175,000 Unity Fund Grant

Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest San Diego (BGCNWSD) has been awarded a $175,000 grant from the San Diego Unity Fund at San Diego Foundation to expand food security and workforce development efforts for youth and families in Encinitas and Oceanside through November 30, 2026.

This critical funding will allow BGCNWSD to provide 11,780 fresh, nutritious meals to 70 youth experiencing food insecurity at its Solana Beach and Griset (Encinitas) Clubhouses over 11 months. The grant also supports the creation of small, community-based food banks at each location—ensuring families have consistent access to pantry staples in safe, familiar spaces they already trust.

These efforts build on BGCNWSD’s ongoing commitment to meeting the basic needs of youth so they can focus on learning, growing, and thriving. Each year, the organization already prepares and serves approximately 151,00 free meals to its members and at-risk youth participating in after-school programs in Oceanside. Together, these programs reflect a holistic approach to addressing hunger while supporting academic success, health, and family stability.

What makes this work especially meaningful is who is behind it. Nearly 95% of the meals and pantry support are prepared and distributed by teens and young adults employed through BGCNWSD’s workforce development initiatives. Through the Culinary Options and Opportunities for Kids (COOK) program, youth earn paid work experience, develop job-ready skills, and build confidence as they support their community. Over the grant period, the Unity Fund investment will support thousands of hours of training and employment for these young workers.

“This grant allows us to address two critical needs at once—ensuring youth and families have consistent access to healthy food, while creating meaningful workforce opportunities for young people in our community,” said Marineke Vandervort, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest San Diego. “We’re grateful to the San Diego Unity Fund for investing in solutions that strengthen families and empower youth.” This program was made possible thanks to grant support from San Diego Foundation, whose Unity Fund focuses on advancing equity and improving quality of life across the region.

For more information on how to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest San Diego, please contact Julia Brown-Farley at Jbrownfarley@bgcGreaterTogether.org, call (215) 495-2634, visit bgcgreatertogether.org, or connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/bgcnwsd