San Diego nonprofit among groups feeding TSA officers as government shutdown drags on
by Gabriela Aoun Angueira, Thalia Beaty and James Pollard | AP
Across the country, collections are popping up to help Transportation Security Administration officers who have been without full pay for more than a month due to the partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security.
The charity World Central Kitchen, more accustomed to feeding those in war zones and disaster areas, started providing meals to Washington, D.C.-area airports after many TSA officers missed their first full paycheck. Feeding San Diego began distributing 400 boxes with pasta, beans and peanut butter as well as fresh produce like strawberries and potatoes to affected agents near the airport after a request from TSA and the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority.
Nonprofits are stepping in to help and coordinating closely with airports and local TSA offices because ethics rules around giving gifts to federal employees make it difficult for those affected by the shutdown to receive help directly.
by San Diego Seniors Community Foundation
San Diego Seniors Community Foundation (SDSCF) is holding the first-ever State of Seniors address. Much like a State of the Union, the State of Seniors report provides a candid assessment of where San Diego stands today on the critical issues facing its older adults (housing, healthcare, care access, and longevity), and the picture it paints is sobering. The address will be on Monday, March 24.
The State of Seniors address will deliver a candid, data-driven assessment of where San Diego stands today on the critical issues facing its more than 730,000 older adult population, a number projected to exceed one million by 2040. The report brings to light the hard truths about aging in San Diego and the urgent decisions that must be made to drive meaningful, lasting impact.
The State of Seniors in San Diego is at a precarious crossroads. Good work is being done in the community and there is still time to bolster our systems. But the demographic realities of dramatic increases in the number of older adults, coupled with rising economic insecurity, mean the clock is ticking.
“Decisions made now — across policy, philanthropy, housing, healthcare, and transportation — will shape how this region ages for the next half-century,” said Paul Downey, Chief Advocacy Officer, San Diego Seniors Community Foundation. “Only through strategic collaboration among aging services, nonprofits, philanthropies, and government can San Diego build a future where seniors are valued, supported, and empowered.”
Key Findings:
Urgency: More than 730,000 San Diego County residents are age 60 or older today, projected to exceed one million by 2040, yet two in five seniors lack the $30,000 annually needed to cover basic needs. Coordinated action across government, philanthropy, and the aging services network is urgently needed before the window to build adequate infrastructure closes.
Economic Insecurity: 56% of San Diego seniors are housing cost-burdened, more than 2,400 became homeless for the first time in 2025, and 184,000 face food insecurity. Targeted investment in affordable housing, rental assistance, and expanded food access programs is essential to stabilizing the growing number of older adults in crisis.
Elder Fraud: San Diego seniors lost nearly $140 million to financial fraud in 2025 which is low since most victims are too embarrassed to report their incident. Expanded community education, stronger coordination with law enforcement and financial institutions, and public awareness campaigns are critical to turning the tide.
Ageism: Ageism costs older adults jobs, healthcare, and dignity. 48% of older adults report lower earning potential due to age discrimination and only 5% of healthcare providers trained in geriatric care. Combating ageism requires inclusive workplace policies, increased geriatric training, and a cultural shift that recognizes older adults as vital contributors.
Healthcare: With nursing home costs reaching $205,422 annually and a projected shortage of 3.2 million direct care workers in California by 2030, the current healthcare model is unsustainable. A shift toward preventive, community-based care, including telehealth and mobile health services, is essential to keeping seniors healthier and out of costly institutional care.
Longevity: About a third of San Diego seniors are socially isolated. This is a condition that raises dementia risk by 50% and early mortality by up to 26%. San Diego must move beyond simply extending life and invest in programs that help older adults thrive with purpose, connection, and opportunity.
Longevity Fund and the Longevity Club
As part of today’s address, SDSCF is proud to announce the launch of its $2 million Longevity Fund philanthropic campaign, a bold initiative designed to establish a groundbreaking Longevity Club in East County and provide substantial grants to existing senior centers, empowering them to elevate their longevity-focused programming and services.
The Longevity Club is not your traditional senior center. It is a revolutionary reimagining of what it means to age well in a dynamic, welcoming environment dedicated to supporting the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of older adults. Picture state-of-the-art fitness centers and tailored classes, a hub of lifelong learning offering programs in arts, technology, travel, and finances, and dedicated case managers to help members navigate Social Security, Medicare, housing support, and more. Most importantly, it is a true gathering place where older adults belong, connect with peers, build new friendships, and pursue their passions.
The campaign has already gained significant momentum. The Grossmont Healthcare District provided a generous $250,000 grant to jumpstart the effort, with additional support from the Sahm Family Foundation and the West Health. With these generous donations, SDSCF has already secured more than $530,000 in seed funding and is now launching a capital campaign with goal of $2 million.
The Longevity Fund reflects SDSCF’s commitment to changing the conversation around aging to ensure that every older adult in San Diego can pursue a life filled with purpose, connection, and fulfillment. https://sdscf.org/longevity/
Event Details
Monday, March 24, 2026
11:00 a.m. – Program begins
Grossmont Healthcare District Library
9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa, CA 91942
Editor’s Note – Pre-event interviews, a copy of State of the Seniors report, broll and photos are available upon request.
The Shipyard launches ‘huge’ Safari Park Elephant Valley ad campaign
By Rick Griffin| Times of San Diego
The Shipyard, a Columbus, Ohio-based advertising agency with offices in San Diego and Sacramento, has launched a global advertising campaign to promote the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s new Elephant Valley exhibit. Theme for the integrated campaign is “This is Huge.”
The Shipyard said its campaign will roll out in phases. Teaser ads on social media and outdoor billboards began in early February prior to the March 5 opening of Elephant Valley. The agency declined to disclose an amount for campaign media advertising expenditures.
Over the next year, ads are scheduled to appear on billboards, bus and Trolley wraps, traditional broadcast TV (cable and satellite) and streaming TV, audio (radio, podcasts), social media, influencers and digital displays on websites and at the San Diego International Airport, officials told Times of San Diego.