With the community’s support, Feeding San Diego’s School Pantry Program continues to grow. Last month, Burbank Elementary School in Barrio Logan became the newest school lifted off the program’s waitlist, thanks to the generosity of San Diego–born chef Travis Swikard and the Callie team. The School Pantry Program now provides free food distributions at more than 70 Title 1 K–12 schools across the county, ensuring children and families have convenient access to nutritious food right on campus.
Chef Travis, owner of the acclaimed restaurants Callie in East Village and the newly opened Fleurette, was joined at the ribbon cutting by his wife, Mia Swikard, their sons Taylor and Trevor, school staff, and community members. The opening marks years of collaboration between the Swikard family and Feeding San Diego. Through fundraising efforts and community events, the family and their restaurants have helped raise more than $1.2 million, supporting over 2.4 million meals. That impact now reaches Barrio Logan through this new School Pantry, operated in partnership with the San Diego Unified School District.
The Beginnings of a Strong Partnership
Generosity lies at the heart of the Swikard family’s culinary ambition. When the family opened Callie, they immediately identified food insecurity as an issue they would like to support. For years, Travis and Mia have partnered with Feeding San Diego by donating proceeds from special menu items throughout the year. They have also closed their restaurant annually to host the Pairings with a Purpose Dinner Party, Feeding San Diego’s signature fundraising event, for the past three years. “I believe in the power of giving,” Chef Travis shared with GB Magazine. “If you have success, you should share it with others. Feeding San Diego has allowed us to give back and start to make a real impact.”
A Special Surprise
This February, during the most recent Pairings with a Purpose dinner, the Callie team received a surprise announcement: they had raised enough funds to open and sustain a new school pantry for an entire year. Just months later, Burbank Elementary – located only a mile and a half from the restaurant – was officially sponsored by Callie and removed from the waitlist.
Feeding Their Community
As a chef, Travis understands food’s essential role. “At its core, food is fuel,” he shared at the ribbon cutting. “You do not fully grasp its impact until you see what it means for someone to know they can make it another day.”
Mia echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the importance of nutrition for children’s success in school. “We are just here to help,” she said. “Moments like this fuel us and give deeper purpose to the work we do.”
Join Callie in Fighting Hunger
Callie will again host the Pairings with a Purpose Dinner Party next February. Community members can also support Feeding San Diego by donating or signing up to volunteer at www.feedingsandiego.org.
