Lucky Duck Foundation Blog

Lucky Duck Foundation announces $500,000 investment for “Seniors Safe at Home” homelessness prevention and employment program

The Lucky Duck Foundation today announced a $500,000 investment to launch a new program called “Seniors Safe at Home” to quickly stabilize housing for seniors who are at risk of homelessness.

New Shamrocks for the City, and Shipwrecks for the County, Coronado, and Santee

New Shamrocks issued for City’s proposed unsafe camping ban & efforts to help chronically homeless; New Shipwrecks issued for County denying Homekey funding, Coronado for sending homeless away, and Santee for rejecting tiny homes.

Lucky Duck Foundation & Rolf Benirschke Legacy Foundation team up to create pizzeria and print shop to employ homeless youth

The Lucky Duck Foundation and Rolf Benirschke Legacy Foundation are pleased to announce a brand new pizzeria and print shop with a unique and compelling mission: to train and employ homeless youth at the Urban Street Angels’ (USA) downtown youth homeless center. The nonprofit social enterprise is expected to employ more than fifty USA youth every year.

“Shamrock” awarded to County and City of San Diego for supporting Urban Street Angels’ youth shelter bed expansion

The County of San Diego and City of San Diego earned a shamrock for their support of Urban Street Angels to add 20 new immediately-available beds for youth experiencing homelessness.

The Lucky Duck Foundation’s 2023 Priorities for Homelessness Relief & Government Action

“2023 must be the year San Diego’s elected officials start the process of reducing homelessness. Clearly, they cannot proceed in the current failed direction. We believe this plan is a practical strategy to change the momentum, help those in need, and protect public safety and health.” – Drew Moser, Executive Director, Lucky Duck Foundation

Our 2022 Impact Report

Over the course of 2022, the Lucky Duck Foundation added 150 critically needed shelter beds, funded 15+ employment and job training programs, removed 85+ tons of trash via “cash for trash,” distributed more than 3,000 winter coats that transform into sleeping bags, eclipsed 1.5 million meals distributed, and much more. And thanks to our donors and volunteers, the efforts by the Lucky Duck Foundation were highlighted on both GMA and NBC Nightly News. We hope you will take a few minutes to watch our 2022 impact report.

Lucky Duck Foundation issues first round of “Shamrocks & Shipwrecks” designed to quantify and grade political will and effectiveness for addressing homelessness

The Lucky Duck Foundation today announced its first round of “Shamrocks & Shipwrecks,” a new program designed to publicly highlight political will and effectiveness of elected officials and their jurisdictions when addressing homelessness throughout San Diego County.

Lucky Duck Foundation’s Giving Tuesday Campaign will raise funds to distribute more than 3,000 Empowerment Plan sleeping bag coats throughout San Diego County

Effort includes dollar-for-dollar matching donations from the San Diego Foundation & San Diego Padres Foundation

Lucky Duck Foundation’s Executive Committee Inducted into Junior Achievement’s Business Hall of Fame

Congratulations to Peter Seidler, Dan Shea, and Pat & Stephanie Kilkenny for each being inducted into Junior Achievement’s Business Hall of Fame. This prestigious honor recognizes local business leaders for their business excellence, inspiring leadership, and commitment to serving as a role model for youth.

SD Metro Cover Story: NBA Hall of Famer and San Diegan Bill Walton is Not Standing by Silent any Longer

Because of Walton’s disgust over the mayor’s inaction, and as a long-time supporter of the Lucky Duck Foundation, he joined with the non-profit group at its press conference so he could show support for the foundation’s “Shamrocks & Shipwrecks” initiative and to also voice his own personal outrage over the homelessness crisis in San Diego.

Empowerment Plan Distributes 1,000 EMPWR Sleeping Bag Coats Across United States on World Homeless Day

EP is teaming up with civic and community organizations in 10 cities across the nation to distribute 1,000 EMPWR sleeping bag coats to unhoused community members. Leading the charge in San Diego is the Lucky Duck Foundation.

Lucky Duck Foundation Announces “Shamrocks & Shipwrecks” Initiative

Program will publicly highlight political will and efficacy for addressing homelessness

Lucky Duck Foundation Featured on Good Morning America’s “GMA3”

Good Morning America’s “GMA3″featured LDF’s employment program which hires Salvation Army shelter residents to be food rescue route drivers. Feeding San Diego provides the food rescue routes and a vehicle, and the Lucky Duck Foundation provides funding to cover all wages, gas and maintenance.

Padres pitcher Joe Musgrove endorses the Lucky Duck Foundation

  Padres pitcher and San Diego native Joe Musgrove is the only Padres pitcher to ever throw a no-hitter. When he’s not winning games for the Padres he’s supporting our efforts. Thank you, Joe, for your work to address homelessness throughout San Diego County!

Portland’s KOIN News Outlet Highlights LDF and ‘Cash for Trash’ as Homelessness Response Models to Learn From

“Portlanders can’t solely rely on City Hall. Budgets and well-intentioned plans, as well as mayors and city council members, come and go. Portland isn’t San Diego. But the city might learn from how the Lucky Duck Foundation is confronting homeless problems — involving local businesses and community leaders who are committed to taking action, finding solutions and holding policy leaders accountable.”

Lucky Duck Foundation, Feeding San Diego & The Salvation Army collaboration has rescued 500,000 lbs. of food, and, all graduates are employed and still housed

The homeless employment collaboration between the Lucky Duck Foundation, The Salvation Army and Feeding San Diego has reached a milestone: more than 500,000 lbs. of food have been rescued and all graduates have secured full-time employment and are still housed.

Harold Reynolds, MLB Network & MLB Prospects Visit LDF Bridge Shelter

Harold Reynolds, MLB Network Analyst, 2-time MLB All-Star and 3-time Gold Glove Award Winner, toured LDF’s bridge shelter with 10 MLB prospects while they were in San Diego for an MLB Draft Combine.

Lucky Duck Foundation named Official Charity Partner of the Carlsbad 5000

One of San Diego’s most iconic running traditions, the Carlsbad 5000 presented by National University, today announced a new partnership with the Lucky Duck Foundation, a local non-profit organization dedicated to alleviating the suffering of homelessness throughout the San Diego region.

LDF-Funded Triangle Project Featured on National News

The Triangle Project, a new incentivized trash cleanup pilot program funded by the Lucky Duck Foundation and organized by LDF volunteer and retired attorney Brian Trotier, has been featured on national news (AP, Newsweek) this week as well as by the Union-Tribune, FOX 5, NBC 7, KUSI, and more.

Padres Owner Peter Seidler and Businessman Dan Shea, both LDF Executive Committee Members, explain the state of homelessness in San Diego in a recent UT opinion piece

Tuesday Group co-founders Peter Seidler and Dan Shea shared their thoughts on homelessness in a recent Union Tribune opinion piece:

Lucky Duck Foundation and Computers 2 Kids Partner to Provide Laptops for Every Graduate of LDF’s $1 million Employment & Job Training Program

The Lucky Duck Foundation and Computers 2 Kids today announced a new partnership that will provide laptops and employment opportunities to individuals experiencing homelessness.  

The San Diego Taxpayers Educational Foundation and Lucky Duck Foundation Launch the PROS Board

With funding from the Lucky Duck Foundation, Gwendolyn Sontheim, and the San Diego Foundation, the San Diego Taxpayers Educational Foundation announced the launch of the San Diego Public Regional Outcomes Standard Board (PROS Board).

Lucky Duck Foundation Launches Newest $1 Million Region-Wide Homeless Employment and Job Training Initiative

The Lucky Duck Foundation today announced the launch of a new, region-wide employment and job training initiative to provide work opportunities and on-the-job training for individuals experiencing homelessness.

How We Shared Our Luck in 2021

As we look back on 2021, we thank each of our donors for helping us fund, activate and lead high-impact programs to alleviate the suffering of homelessness throughout San Diego County. And, we’d like to spotlight a few of these programs.

Statement Urging Regional Leaders to Quickly Develop a Plan for Adding Winter Shelter Beds throughout San Diego

We call on the City, County, and San Diego Housing Commission to take the critically necessary action of developing a plan to add inclement weather shelters throughout the region.

New Funding to Alleviate the Suffering of Homelessness

At last night’s Swing & Soirée, we made exciting announcements about new funding to alleviate the suffering of homelessness in San Diego.

New Program Encourages Youth Volunteerism

We are excited to announce a new youth volunteerism initiative – empowering youth to make a difference in their communities. Our new youth-led movement, the “Lucky Ducklings”, is intended to inspire and motivate youth to alleviate the suffering of homelessness throughout San Diego County.

What My Nonprofit Internship Taught Me About Luck

Kallie Purdue shared her luck completing a nonprofit internship for the Lucky Duck Foundation. She shares her takeaways in this guest blog post.

San Diego Union Tribune – Food, water outreach service expands to help more homeless

Gary Warth, writer for the San Diego Union-Tribune, writes about how we aren’t slowing our food and water outreach for people experiencing homelessness.

Authority Magazine – Food Deserts: & How We Are Helping

Martita Mestey of Authority Magazine, sat down with Drew Moser to talk about “food deserts” and how we’re helping to address the lack of access to healthy and affordable food options.

What are the reasons for homelessness and what can be done?

For the past few years, the Lucky Duck Foundation has convened San Diego’s universities to focus their efforts on understanding the reasons for homelessness. Here are their findings.

In Memoriam – Father Joe Carroll, Legendary Advocate for Homeless San Diegans

Lucky Duck Foundation’s statement on the passing of legendary advocate for homeless San Diegans, Father Joe Carroll.

How to Be an LGBTQ Ally

A true LGBTQ ally supports equal civil rights, gender equality, social movements, and challenges homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia. To support your position as an ally, we’re dispelling common myths about the LGBTQ community.

Homeless Employment and Jobs Training Programs in Action

Our region-wide homeless employment launched earlier this year. Take a look at a few of people that are being offered a hand up through these programs.

Why I Volunteer to End Homelessness

Guest blog by Fred Patterson III, Business Performance Advisor for Insperity and founder of BLSSD. In this post, he shares why he is a volunteer to end homelessness.

Fight Hunger and Homelessness

Your volunteer hours, contributions, and dedication to spreading the word helped us deliver 500,000 meals to fight hunger and homelessness. Learn more about this milestone.

Combating Homelessness and Hunger in San Diego

Fighting homelessness is everyone’s business. Learn about our innovative collaboration with Feeding San Diego and The Salvation Army combating homelessness and hunger in the San Diego region.

Business Sector Takes Action to Support San Diego’s Unsheltered

San Diego’s unsheltered are eating a little better thanks to an innovative collaboration between Jewish Family Services and Del Mar’s Flower Hill Promenade.

Homeless Service Program Outreach Teams Tell Us What They Think

At the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, we launched our Food and Water Delivery initiative. Outreach workers provided valuable feedback on the program thus far.

Here’s to the Good News

Although 2020 brought many challenges, the year also had several bright spots. These are just few programs that made a positive difference and changed lives this past year.

LDF to Provide Sleeping Bag Coats to Unsheltered San Diegans

The Lucky Duck Foundation recently announced the purchase and distribution of 2,000 EMPWR transformative sleeping bag coats to provide protection unsheltered homeless San Diegans.

Feel Good Stories for the Season of Giving

This season of giving, it is even more important to recognize people making a positive impact. Here area a few of our favorite stories.

Lucky Duck Foundation Distributes its 100,000th Meal

We are excited to announce that over 100,000 meals have been delivered since the May launch of our County-wide effort to distribute food and water to San Diego’s unsheltered homeless population.

Philanthropists launch countywide drive to feed homeless during pandemic

With the COVID-19 pandemic creating new challenges to many homeless people without shelter, the Lucky Duck Foundation and other philanthropists have launched a countywide effort to bring food and water to anyone living in encampments, sidewalks, vehicles or other outdoor places.

Hungry homeless finding it harder to get food during pandemic

Life on the street has become even more challenging for homeless people during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Father Joe’s Villages is among the local nonprofits that have stepped up food programs to try to meet a growing need.

Volunteer for the Food and Water Delivery Program

Our outreach teams are currently looking for volunteers for our new food and water delivery program in San Diego. Together, we can ensure the well-being of our unsheltered neighbors while helping them move from the streets to shelter, housing, and a healthier place in life.

Homelessness & Hunger: One Possible Approach

For most of us, “starving” means we had to rush to work without breakfast, or a short layover between flights left no time for lunch. Hungry, yes. Hopeless, not really. For people experiencing homelessness, it’s a very different story.

New Program to Provide Food and Water to the Unsheltered

The Lucky Duck Foundation launched a County-wide effort to distribute food and water to San Diego’s unsheltered homeless population. Because many community and congregate meal services have ceased due to COVID-19, many individuals experiencing homelessness are struggling to secure food and water.

Unsheltered Mothers Have a Place to Call Home

San Diego has a minimal amount of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) available to mobilize at-risk young women with children experiencing homelessness. To accelerate the need for supportive housing for young mothers and their children, Home Start purchased “The Miracle on 34th Street”.

We Must Shelter San Diego’s Largest Population of Homeless: Our Youth

Fifty percent of chronic homeless adults began their homelessness as youth. In San Diego alone, it is estimated that 1,500 people without shelter are aged 12 to 24. This is simply unacceptable. Read more from LDF Board Members, Peter Seidler and Dan Shea.

Permanent Supportive Housing: A Proven Pathway for the Homeless Population

Public supportive housing not only resolves homelessness and increases housing stability, but also improves health and lowers costs by reducing the use of publicly-funded services.

Funding Support of COVID-19 Tests for Homeless Residents and Staff at the Convention Center

The Lucky Duck Foundation (LDF) funded COVID-19 tests for 1,500 individuals experiencing homelessness at the San Diego Convention Center temporary shelter in partnership with Family Health Centers of San Diego (FHCSD).

Supporting the Homeless During COVID-19

It has been less than a week since the San Diego Convention center opened its doors to more than 350 residents of two homeless bridge shelters. But, the physical move into the Convention Center was only the first step.

The Impact of COVID-19 on San Diego’s Homeless Population

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on San Diego’s homeless is potentially cataclysmic. We continue to advocate for our homeless population. Read more.

COVID-19 Resources and Partners

Following is a list of available resources and partners working tirelessly in response to COVID-19. This page will be updated periodically.

Conversations Make Our Communities Better

The Regional Task Force on the Homeless offered some fantastic tips for maximizing interactions with people experiencing homelessness. You never know what a simple conversation can do.

My 15 Minute Conversation With a Man Named Henry

Lucky Duck Foundation intern, Gabby, shared a recent experience she had after school with a man named Henry. Take a look at her time with Henry and see how a simple conversation can make a difference.

New Region-Wide Homeless Employment and Jobs Training Initiative

The Lucky Duck Foundation announced a $1 million region-wide homeless employment and jobs training initiative that aims to hire and train the homeless and enable them to secure long-term employment.

10 Things You May Not Know About the Lucky Duck Foundation

Take a look into the Lucky Duck Foundation. We’re sharing a little bit about who we are, what we do, what we believe, and the people we do it for.

I Didn’t Ask For Gifts On My Birthday

Lucky Duck Foundation intern, Gabby, shares why she thinks you should start your own birthday fundraiser to help San Diegans homeless community.

Councilmember Chris Ward’s Response to Petition-Signers

Read Councilmember Chris Ward’s response to the individuals that signed the petition urging elected officials to open vacant government-owned buildings.

Lucky Duck Foundation Launches Petition Drive to Urge Local Elected Officials to Utilize Vacant Government-Owned Buildings to Shelter the Homeless.

SAN DIEGO, CA – January 20, 2020: The Lucky Duck Foundation today announced an online petition campaign alongside results of a comprehensive poll it commissioned that revealed public opinion surrounding the City and County’s homelessness crisis.

4 Ways to Help that Don’t Involve Donating Money

Most of us will never know what it’s like to lose our jobs, experience a medical emergency, or another life-altering event that could render you without income or housing stability. For thousands of San Diegans experiencing homelessness, it was an event like this that led their life unsheltered. Have you found yourself thinking of ways to help that don’t involve donating money?

Wheels of Change Testimonials

The Wheels of Change expansion has been incredibly successful. The workers in the second van have already completed clean-up activities in several areas of San Diego. Hear from participants about what the program means to them.

How One Person Broke the Pattern of Youth Homelessness

Without positive intervention, many homeless youths continue the pattern of homelessness into adulthood. No matter the reason for their circumstance, organizations like the San Diego-based Youth Assistance Coalition (YAC) are there to help break the pattern.  

The Private Sector Has a Key Role to Play in Carrying Out the Homelessness Plan

Adopting an action plan to tackle homelessness was the easy part. Now, activating the plan requires consistent funding and participation from all stakeholders in order to be effectively executed. The following OpEd appeared in Voice of San Diego on October 25th, 2019.

How One Van Connects Hundreds of Homeless to Services

When the Lucky Duck Foundation handed over the keys to a new outreach van to Family Health Centers of San Diego, a critical connection was made. Read more about how the donation gave people critical access to services.

Putting a Face to San Diego’s Homeless

San Diego Magazine profiles three bridge shelter residents who share their stories, hopes, and fears with writer Kelly Davis.

Wheels of Change Homeless Employment Program Expands

The Alpha Project and the Lucky Duck Foundation Announce the Expansion of the “Wheels of Change” Homeless Employment Program. The program employs Bridge Shelter residents who clean up City streets while also doing homeless outreach. 

Mental Health and Homelessness: Connecting People to Services

People with poor mental health are more susceptible to the main factors that can lead to homelessness: poverty, isolation from family and community, and personal vulnerability.

Caring for Ebony – A Homeless Animals Story

In this second installment about Helen Woodward Animal Centers’ Pets Without Walls program, a program staff member shares the story of Claire and Ebony and their incredible bond.

Homeless Pets Need Luck (& Love), Too

Furry, friendly, and without conditions, pets are a part of us. Homeless pets included. Read Susan and Sunshine’s story and find out how to help!

5 Unique Challenges Homeless Women Face

We recognize the achievements of our mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts, and friends and honor the homeless women in our communities. Here are 5 challenges that affect homeless women and tangible ways you can help.

Welcome to our New Executive Director

Help us welcome Drew Moser as the Foundation’s new Executive Director. Moser will implement and expand LDF’s primary areas of focus to help San Diego County’s homeless.

Tuesday Group and LDF Applaud the City’s Use of Golden Hall to Shelter the Homeless

The Mayor’s decision means that Golden Hall will now serve a critical purpose in providing shelter for the homeless women and children displaced from the temporary closure of Father Joe’s Villages bridge shelter.

14 Community Acts of Kindness Guaranteed to Spread Happiness

Every day can be Random Acts of Kindness Day if you choose to make it so. If you’re short on inspiration, peruse our list of 14 community acts of kindness and make a choice to be the light.

3 Ways to Serve San Diego’s Homeless Community

The new year is a great time to set intentions for the year. For those who look to receive through giving, we’ve collected a list of 3 simple ideas for you to help make a positive impact in lifting the dignity of San Diego’s homeless community. …

Packed with Care

Written By Erin Meanley Glenny – Published by SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE. Inside Lucky Duck Foundation’s efforts to distribute backpacks for the homeless. When Pat and Stephanie Kilkenny launched Lucky Duck Foundation in 2005, their goal was to serve everyone in need, from people with disabilities to shelter animals. …

Deborah Norwood Ruane joins Board of Directors

SAN DIEGO, CA (November 1, 2018)— The Lucky Duck Foundation (LDF) announced today the addition of Deborah Norwood Ruane to its Board of Directors. A seasoned real estate professional for over 30 years, Norwood Ruane’s focus and expertise has centered around affordable housing financing and development. …

10th Annual Swing & Soiree grossed nearly $800,000

We are excited to report that the Lucky Duck Foundation’s 10th Annual Swing & Soiree grossed nearly $800,000! Combine that with the more than $400,000 raised between last year’s and this year’s event and you have a record-breaking $1.2 million raised by the Lucky Duck Foundation in one year! …

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