Most days, chef Travis Swikard can be found feeding hungry customers at his two San Diego restaurants, Callie and Fleurette.
But the San Diego native, and his wife, Mia Swikard, are just as deeply committed to feeding San Diegans who can’t afford to dine out.
On Feb. 26, they hosted at Callie their third-annual Pairings with a Purpose fundraising dinner for Feeding San Diego. Through ticket sales and live and silent auctions and other donor initiatives that evening, they raised just over $500,000 for the hunger-focused nonprofit.
Each dollar donated to Feeding San Diego provides two meals for the clients it serves, so during that one evening, the Swikards and their 145 guests raised enough for 1 million meals.
“We are beyond grateful that Callie continues to host this fundraiser and for our donors who showed up so significantly to support this year, getting us to over one million meals in one evening,” said Ali Colbran, senior director of development at Feeding San Diego, in a statement.
The money raised at the dinner will be used for Feeding San Diego’s School Pantry Program, which provides food to needy San Diego schoolchildren and their families outside regular school hours.
Through the Pairings dinners at Callie over the past three years and other menu collaborations, the Swikards have raised enough money to fully open and sustain a new school pantry for one year at Burbank Elementary School in Logan Heights, which is 1-1/2 miles away from Callie. At that school, 95 percent of the students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. The new pantry will serve 100 households a month.
“I believe in the power of giving, and through hosting the Pairings with a Purpose Dinner Party each year, I can show my team the importance of supporting programs that positively impact our community,” Travis Swikard said, in a statement. “I am moved that our efforts mean we are able to sponsor Burbank Elementary to ensure students and their families receive the food they need. We look forward to continuing to foster our partnership with Feeding San Diego to bring awareness to this important mission.”
Following a pandemic-driven reset of the program, Feeding San Diego has been focused on rebuilding and expanding its School Pantry Program since 2022. It is a proven, long-standing hunger-relief program that provides nutritious food to students and their families on school campuses at no cost. For schools to qualify, at least 50% of students must qualify for free or reduced-price meals. In recent years, the program has expanded to 75 K-12 campuses across the county, but more than 50 schools remain on a wait list.
To learn more about Callie’s partnership with Feeding San Diego, visit calliesd.com/giving-back.