One out of five children will go hungry tonight

The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank provides nutritious food to people in need, advocates for the hungry, and educates the public about hunger-related issues. Under the leadership of CEO James Floros, the Food Bank distributed 28 million pounds of food to 370,000 people every month in San Diego County last year.

10 Things About James Floros & San Diego Food Bank

#1 I grew up in Ripon, Wisconsin; an idyllic American small town that was the perfect place to experience childhood and be exposed to good folks with good values.

#2 My first job was as a box maker at Rippin’ Good Cookies. I worked at the end of the assembly line and had to make large shipping boxes to put the smaller boxes in. My first day was like Lucille Ball in the chocolate factory! It was hard to keep up.

#3 My wife Cheryl and I live in Chula Vista, and our favorite neighborhood restaurant is Romesco Mediterranean Bistro in Bonita. The braised short rib is amazing! I get it every time we dine there.

#4 My favorite book is “To Kill a Mockingbird”. It really resonated with me when I read it in high school, and the themes of equality and social justice continue to inspire me to make a difference in the world through my career as a nonprofit leader.

#5 My favorite movie is “Gladiator”. The movie’s themes of self-sacrifice, leadership, loyalty, dignity, and honor are truly inspiring.

#6 We named our dog Lambeau after Packers’ stadium. Lambeauis always getting into trouble, but he’s cute even when he has eaten my socks!

#7 I had a professor in college who encouraged us to choose professions that make the world a better place. That stuck with me, so my first job out of college was at Project Concern International. After that, I was hooked. 34 years later I’m still a nonprofit guy!

#8 A school nurse saw a student taking a partially eaten sandwich out of the trash on a Friday. The little girl explained that she was hungry and had no food at home. The nurse signed up the child to our Food 4 Kids Backpack Program. Now she receives a backpack full of food every Friday so that she can eat over the weekend.

#9 Hungry children cannot learn in school. The San Diego Food Bank ensures that children can succeed in school, graduate, get good jobs, and ultimately break the cycle of poverty.

#10 Funds raised from the Chefs, Cork & Craft Gala will go towards our Diaper To Degree Initiative that includes our Diaper Bank Program, Good Start for Moms & Children, Food 4 Kids Backpacks, On-the-Go Pantry at local middle and high schools, and our College Hunger-relief Program.