San Diego Hunger Coalition

Food insecurity remains a pervasive challenge even in communities that are assumed to be thriving. In San Diego County, more than one in four residents face nutrition insecurity. San Diego Hunger Coalition

At Cherry Willow Apparel, apparel can be more than fashion; it can be a symbol of purpose and a tool for social change. That is why we are proud to partner with the San Diego Hunger Coalition (SDHC) to bring you a collaboration tee that raises awareness and drives meaningful action. Visit our collab link here. 

In this post, you’ll learn about SDHC’s mission and impact, how our interview with their President & CEO during my “Pedal for Progress” ride reinforced the urgency of the issue, how our apparel collaboration supports the cause, and how you can get involved.

Who is the San Diego Hunger Coalition?

The San Diego Hunger Coalition (SDHC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1974 with the mission to collaborate with community partners to create equitable access to food assistance in San Diego County through research, education, and advocacy. San Diego Hunger Coalition

Key facts about SDHC:

• SDHC convenes and supports 500+ community partners to build a regional hunger-relief network. Alliance to End Hunger
  
  
• SDHC’s work covers policy advocacy (ensuring programs like CalFresh/SNAP and school meals reach eligible individuals), capacity-building (such as “Hunger Free Navigator” trainings), and data research to map hunger in the county. San Diego Hunger Coalition
  
  
• Their vision is a “Hunger Free San Diego” in which everyone has access to three nutritious and culturally-appropriate meals every day. Alliance to End Hunger
  
  
• Their geographic scope covers all of San Diego County, including urban, suburban, and rural communities. Alliance to End Hunger
  
  

What stands out about SDHC is that, rather than simply delivering meals, they focus on strengthening the food assistance system, making it more accessible, effective, and sustainable. Their work is deeply aligned with building resilience, equity, and dignity.

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Why This Partnership Matters — Connecting Apparel, Advocacy & Action

When I interviewed SDHC’s President & CEO, Alondra Alvarado, during the Pedal for Progress ride, I was struck by how often hunger and housing instability are intertwined. Many people experiencing hunger are also one paycheck, one illness, one eviction away from homelessness.
Wearing the collab tee isn’t just about style; it’s about taking a stand. It says: I believe in equitable access to food. I believe in community-based solutions. I believe my voice matters, and I can help raise awareness of this problem and bridge the gap in the system.

Through this collaboration:

• Proceeds from the collab tee support SDHC’s network of partners and capacity-building work.
  
  
• The visibility of our apparel helps raise awareness among our community that food insecurity is not someone else’s problem; it’s our collective problem.
  
  
• The ride, the apparel, the story create a ripple effect: you buy, you wear, you share, you ask the question: “Who in our community might need a meal today?”
  
  

Because SDHC leverages research-informed strategies and partnerships across sectors, every dollar directed here has a multiplying effect (e.g., training organizations to help individuals apply for CalFresh benefits or expanding school meal reach) rather than just a single meal. This makes it a high-leverage partnership for Cherry Willow’s mission to end homelessness and build community-based resilience.

My Ride-Moment with SDHC

My entire ride in California was beautiful, filled with fantastic scenery, mountains, oceans, farmland, vineyards & deserts. San Diego was a gorgeous part of the ride, and it was very bike-friendly. I met Alondra at the Garden of the Sea, which was a magnificent setting for an impactful interview. You can check out the documentary and the interview here. You can support our work and SDHC by wearing the collab tee, sharing this blog post, and watching and sharing the documentary. 

The Collab Tee: How to Support & What It Means

Our collaboration item is available here: Cherry Willow Apparel × San Diego Hunger Coalition – Collab Tee.

Here’s what your purchase delivers:

• 80% of the proceeds from the sale support SDHC’s training and outreach programs (e.g., CalFresh 101 trainings and Hunger Free Navigator).
  
  
• You become part of the conversation and community of changemakers; wearing the tee invites questions and dialogue.
  
  
• You help scale a more innovative hunger relief system, not just direct relief, which aligns with Cherry Willow’s broader mission of systemic change.
  
  

Buy now. Wear with purpose. Share the story. Whether you’re based in San Diego or on the other side of the country, your purchase helps reinforce the message that hunger relief and housing stability are connected.

How You Can Get Involved Beyond Purchasing

• Share this blog post and the collab link on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook; help spread the message and raise awareness of SDHC’s work.
  
  
• Volunteer or donate directly at SDHC. Visit their website to explore volunteer trainings and advocacy opportunities. San Diego Hunger Coalition
  
  
• Ask questions of your community: “Do all families in our neighborhood have access to three meals a day?” The awareness helps shift culture.
  
  
• Use your network to bring new partners into SDHC’s food-access network: if you know a school, clinic, or faith group, share about SDHC’s “Hunger Free Navigator” training and how they can join. San Diego Hunger Coalition
  
  

FAQ

Q: What exactly does SDHC do to end hunger in San Diego?
A: They collaborate with hundreds of community organizations, provide trainings to help staff connect residents to nutrition assistance (like CalFresh), use data to guide policy and outreach, and advocate for systems that ensure equitable access to meals. San Diego Hunger Coalition

Q: How does food insecurity relate to homelessness and housing stability?
A: Food insecurity often signals more profound financial vulnerability. A household that cannot reliably access three meals per day is likely facing stressors (low income, job instability, medical expenses) that also threaten housing stability. Addressing hunger is an upstream move in the fight against homelessness.

Q: How much of the tee sale goes to SDHC, and when will the funds be transferred?
A: 80% of proceeds support SDHC’s work. The funds are transferred on a schedule SDHC created as defined in our agreement.

Q: Why is an apparel brand partnering with a hunger-relief coalition?
A: Because social impact demands broad coalitions. Cherry Willow’s mission is to end homelessness and build community-based housing centers. Hunger relief is part of that ecosystem. By partnering with SDHC, we connect two important threads: food security today, housing stability tomorrow.

Q: What size/style options are available for the collab tee?
A: The tee is available in all sizes, and it is incredibly comfortable.

Conclusion

When you buy the collab tee, you’re not simply purchasing apparel; you’re making a statement. You’re aligning with the San Diego Hunger Coalition’s vision of three nutritious meals for every resident in San Diego County. You’re showcasing that a brand can ride, raise, and resource. You’re helping funds flow into training, research, outreach, and policy change.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. Together with SDHC, we are shifting systems, telling stories, connecting people, and moving toward a future where hunger is no longer a barrier to hope or home.

Ways to Help Today:

• Visit and purchase the collab tee here: Collab Link
  
  
• Share this blog post and link to the documentary with your networks.
  
  
• Explore volunteer/training options with SDHC at sdhunger.org
  
  
• Wear the tee. Ask about the story behind it. Start a conversation.

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