San Diego Opened New Wellness Pantry for Foster Youth
A new facility in Kearny Mesa provides food, hygiene, and pet supplies for young adults ages 18 to 26.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Healthy Food
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Walden Family Services has launched a 300-square-foot wellness pantry to support local transition-age foster youth in San Diego. The initiative provides essential resources to individuals between the ages of 18 and 26.
Why it matters
The pantry addresses gaps in access to nutrition, hygiene, and pet care for young adults as they transition out of the foster care system. It was established to meet these specific needs through collaboration with local community partners.
The new facility spans 300 square feet and is specifically designed to support the needs of foster youth aged 18 to 26. The pantry operates as a supplemental resource within the broader social services framework for local transition-age adults.
The players
Walden Family Services
A social services organization that manages foster care and support programs for youth in San Diego.
Jacobs and Cushman Food Bank
A regional hunger-relief organization that coordinates food distribution for local service partners.
Hayley Bergam
A member of the board of directors for Walden Family Services who supports the organization's initiatives.
The details
The pantry functions through a partnership where the Jacobs and Cushman Food Bank supplies food items, while Walden Family Services secures funding for hygiene and pet supplies. The space was developed through direct coordination between the organization's CEO and a former foster youth client to ensure it addressed the specific barriers this population faces during their transition to independence.
Timeline
The Walden Wellness Pantry held its grand opening on September 28, 2026.
Health Landscape
This initiative aligns with the evolving focus on providing holistic support to bridge gaps in stability for youth aging out of foster care. It represents a shift toward addressing social determinants of health through community-based physical infrastructure.
Foster youth aged 18 to 26 in the San Diego area can access these essential supplies at 8525 Gibbs Drive in Kearny Mesa. If you or someone you know is in need of these resources, it is worth discussing available local support networks with a social services coordinator or physician.
The takeaway
Accessing consistent nutrition and hygiene supplies is a critical component of stability for youth transitioning to independent living. Monitoring local pantry distribution schedules can help ensure foster youth maintain a reliable supply of daily essentials.
Further reading
For more on local initiatives improving nutrition access, visit the Healthy Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KSWB 5/69.
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