San Diego, CA – May 26, 2026 — The Lucky Duck Foundation (LDF), Feeding San Diego, and The Salvation Army today announced a landmark milestone: their collaborative employment program has rescued more than 1,000,000 pounds of perfectly viable food that would otherwise have ended up in a landfill while simultaneously providing job training and employment to individuals working to overcome homelessness. But the milestone is more than a number. It is proof that a replicable and collaborative model can create a powerful ripple effect — generating meaningful jobs, rescuing food for those experiencing or on the brink of homelessness, and helping rebuild lives.
The unique, three-pronged partnership is a self-reinforcing cycle. With funding from LDF, The Salvation Army hires residents of its homeless shelter and trains them as food rescue route drivers, who then operate routes provided by Feeding San Diego — collecting surplus food from grocery stores and businesses that would otherwise go to waste. That food is then distributed at Salvation Army’s food pantry to benefit those suffering from homelessness or on the brink.
Nearly every Salvation Army resident who has participated in the program has secured full-time employment and permanent housing — a success rate that underscores the model’s effectiveness and its potential to be a blueprint for communities far beyond San Diego.
“This program shows what’s possible when organizations leverage their strengths to collaborate. We are proud to fuel this partnership and achieve this milestone with two outstanding partners in The Salvation Army & Feeding San Diego. We hope others across the region, and country for that matter, will replicate this model,” said Drew Moser, CEO of the Lucky Duck Foundation.
Reaching one million pounds of food rescued through this partnership is an incredible example of what is possible when nonprofit organizations, community partners, and food donors come together around a shared mission,” said Bob Kamensky, CEO of Feeding San Diego. “By combining Feeding San Diego’s food rescue model with the Lucky Duck Foundation’s investment in workforce development and The Salvation Army’s direct support services, this collaboration is not only helping nutritious food reach people who are facing food insecurity, it is also creating meaningful employment opportunities and changing lives. Partnerships like this demonstrate the power of working together to strengthen our community and we could not be more proud to work alongside one another.” Bob Kamensky, CEO, Feeding San Diego.
Since launching, the Lucky Duck Foundation has been the sole funder, having invested $500,000 into the program. The 1,000,000 pounds of food is valued at an estimated $1.9 million.
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What makes this collaboration uniquely powerful is its simplicity. The framework requires three willing partners: a funder committed to employment outcomes, a shelter with residents ready to work, and a food rescue organization with established routes — and it generates returns for all of them.
The partners behind this milestone believe San Diego’s success is not an anomaly, it is a roadmap. Cities across the country are grappling with homelessness, food insecurity, and workforce gaps simultaneously. This model addresses all three with a single, coordinated investment. The Lucky Duck Foundation, Feeding San Diego, and The Salvation Army are openly sharing what they have learned and encouraging foundations, shelter operators, and food rescue organizations in other communities to explore how this framework can be adapted locally.
The mission of the Lucky Duck Foundation (LDF) is to prevent and alleviate the suffering of homelessness throughout San Diego County. LDF and its co-founders, Pat & Stephanie Kilkenny, have funded and activated bridge shelters, employment and job training programs, winter coats that transform into sleeping bags, life-saving food and water distribution, trash clean-up, and more. The name Lucky Duck Foundation honors the Kilkenny family’s Irish heritage and their love for the University of Oregon Ducks. The premise is simple: if you have had some good luck and fortune in your life, share your luck with those less fortunate. To encourage this, Pat & Stephanie personally match all donations up to $2 million per year.
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Feeding San Diego is the region’s leading hunger-relief organization, connecting people facing hunger to food resources through innovative solutions and strategic partnerships. Learn more at feedingsandiego.org.
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. In San Diego, The Salvation Army operates emergency shelters, rehabilitation programs, and critical social services. Learn more at sandiego.salvationarmy.org.
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