I was introduced to Got Your Back a few years ago through another organization. Since then, twice a year, I help organize a food drive to support this cause. Working in the school system, I have seen first hand the needs some children go through with food insecurity. Thank you for what you are trying to accomplish with GYB!
As a child growing up, my mom was a single mother with four children. We had no extended family to depend on. My mom had left an abusive marriage to protect us children and she was working minimum wage and doing her best to provide for us. A church donated a box of food to us every two weeks and it was a GODSEND. Most of us don't understand the level of hunger some people in our community deal with. We take a full cupboard and fridge for granted. Many times I only had margarine to fry a tortilla in and that was my dinner. Or maybe a ten cent bag of ramen and a can of corn. When the box of food would come, it had beans, peanut butter, jelly, bread, dried milk, canned soups, boxed meals. It was like a feast that first day.
My mom was able to build her skills and climb the ladder in her career where she was eventually able to support us without this help. It was such an accomplishment for her. But I will never forget the hard times we went through and how important a box of food was to us. It was a life saver for our family during the hardest time in our lives.
As an adult with my own family, I am so grateful to be able to contribute to Got Your Back San Diego. It is one of the best organizations that has such a huge impact on families going though the similar hardships mine went through.
I became the guardian of a 6-year-old girl, the daughter of my ex-husband's brother. After a couple of weeks in my care, we discovered that she was hoarding food in her backpack. When the cafeteria staff noticed that she stopped attending breakfast, I learned that she wasn't getting enough nourishment at home due to being consistently late for school she would miss breakfast. Concerned about her well-being, I collaborated with the cafeteria staff to ensure them she was now in my care and receiving proper meals.
It became apparent that she was often ill with stomach aches from eating food from her backpack days later, leading us to realize the importance of ensuring children have access to proper nutrition. Programs like these are crucial in preventing children from resorting to hoarding unpackaged food, which can spoil and make them sick. Providing packaged foods can be a lifeline for children in need.
These programs offer essential resources such as protein, fruits, vegetables, and carbohydrates that are vital for children's development and immune system health. By ensuring children have access to nutritious meals, we can help them thrive and reduce their susceptibility to illnesses. These initiatives are especially important for children facing food insecurity and limited resources."
I first met Sue and her husband on Facebook, and ever since then, I have been actively involved in supporting their charity efforts to provide food for children in need. Coming from a large family raised by a single, resourceful mother who struggled to make ends meet, I deeply understand the significance of initiatives like these. In today's world, especially with the challenges brought by Covid and shifting dynamics, it is more critical than ever to ensure that no child goes hungry. Our children are the future, and it is essential that we prioritize their well-being by guaranteeing they have access to the food they need.
I was recently introduced to Got Your Back San Diego at a church event and felt inspired to learn more about the organization. I had the privilege of connecting with Susan, whose goodness and dedication to helping local children and families experiencing food insecurity truly inspired me. It's alarming that 1 in 4 people in San Diego County face nutrition insecurity. The San Diego Hunger Coalition estimates that as of March 2024, 25% of San Diegans are unable to provide three nutritious meals per day for themselves and their families.
Recognizing this need, I realized that we can help serve our neighbors by supporting Got Your Back San Diego. Our service club, The Helpers, is excited to assist this organization at our next annual Hunger Banquet. No child should go hungry!
I recently met Bill and Sue McCleod at a fundraising event that we were hosting for their organization. They are a wonderful couple, and have such a heart for feeding the children in their community. If you're looking for an organization to get involved with, Got Your Back San Diego is a great place to support.
Got Your Back San Diego is one of the wonderful non-profit organizations that is supported by my church. Bill and Sue truly have a servant’s heart. They feel the need to feed kids who may otherwise not have access to meals especially in these difficult times. Thank the Lord for this organization. Lee
When I was teaching at Vally Middle School (VMS), our school raised support for "Got Your Back." The students got behind this benevolent opportunity to help hungry kids with a passion that encouraged the entire campus. Not only did students and teachers bring donations to provide a bridge of hope for the hurting youth in San Diego, but VMS campus clubs also got behind the effort. The result was a spirit of light and love pervading the campus as the students learned the life lesson of gratitude. Thank God for organizations like this that make a difference in our students, schools, and community.
I am a Volunteer with GYBSD, because it is such a worthwhile non profit charity that helps hundreds of food insecure children that may have only minimal to No food on the weekends. These children rely on weekday school lunches for their nutritional needs.
Helping these children in our greater community has a very special place in my heart as there were many times in my childhood, that I was one of these children.
So I do know firsthand what it's like to be hungry, and so worried as to when food would come next.
I did rely on my school lunches Mon - Fri and always asked for any seconds I could get, because I knew that there might not be much at all later on.
My Heartfelt Thanks to GYBSD for helping so many children in need. And for letting me be a part of your Wonderful Organization!
“Got your back” is feeding children!! Children here in our own community!! Who would’ve imagined our own kids starving or going without food! I bet most of us didn’t know the amount of kids going hungry! I found out and was very much surprised!! I found out through our friends and a fundraiser given for their cause!! A very needed and important cause!! Right here!! It breaks my heart to know kids are going hungry and how to reach all the hungry kids here? GYB does everything possible to get food to kids!! Through backpacks at school! They do fundraisers all the time to purchase food and supplies! And to get more schools involved … I believe in what GYB is doing to help feed kids!! We all should be doing more! Since children are our most precious and highest commodity and our most vulnerable Jesus said “as you’ve done it to the least of these , you’ve done it unto me” Matthew 25:40
I have seen this ministry firsthand. Also, as a single mother back when times were a little harder for me, they blessed me and my children with some food. Wonderful people and wonderful ministry.
I’ve seen firsthand how this small organization achieves big results in the lives of young students and their families. Very deserving of recognition and support.
This is a great outreach for North County schools. Students who have needs get them met through GYB.
I’ve volunteered and it was a blessing to do do.
This is such a worth while cause! I would recommend everyone get involved. They are changing lives and making a difference...
I never realized there were so many children in the San Diego area, that were going hungry until I investigated Got Your Back. This is one of the beat non-profits around. We have supported them for at least 5 years and possibly more. The staff is so focused on their goal and give give give of their time and resources. I love this charity and hope you will catch the vision too.
Wonderful program feeding hungry kids right here in San Diego. Proud to be monthly donors and "sometimes" volunteers. Happy to support their worthy endeavors!
Claudia & Aubrey Kuepper
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Wonderful group helping kids right here in North County, San Diego. This is a great program to engage kids who want to help other kids. Our family enjoys helping with food drives, stocking shelves, delivering food to the warehouse, etc. So appreciate the work this group does, and being able to teach our daughter how to help others.
As founder of GYB i have to say as much as I love filling the weekend gap of meals for our many local food- insecure kids, I REALLY love watching the community be involved at every level and especially children! They totally get little seeds of charity growing in their hearts. This is a 5th grade class in Carlsbad that made this sign which looks like a check. The money was earned by the bird houses they built and sold and they decided to help us feed kids. How can you not love that? What we do is way beyond pack backpacks of food for kids. And who knows what any of these kids will grow up and become! GYBSD is our privilege and blessing! We couldn’t do this another day without the care and support and generosity of our volunteers and donors! ❤️
Got Your Back provides school-aged children who are food unstable with enough meals to last through the weekend. Their passion for serving in North County is appreciated and they are always discrete and use good judgment when enrolling a family in their program and providing them with what they need. I encourage everyone to support Got Your Back.
We’ve Got Your Back has helped local school kids achieve their daily needs. We have witnessed this program work with local food banks and others to provide support to children and families. As our world changes, both time and resources are essential in making a lasting impact in communities. We supported kids at orphanage for 14 years and know how important it is for children to know they are loved and taken care of. This builds trust and confidence, they need to know someone has their back!
North Coast Church in Vista has partnered with Got Your Back for many years now. We send our volunteers out to stuff backpacks full of food on Tuesday nights so they can be ready for the kids to take home on Fridays. Our groups absolutely love participating in this project! Got Your Back works hard to feed so many kids in North County and there are always more children in need. If anyone has the finances to contribute to the purchase of a pallet of food or conduct a large food drive, both of these would help them tremendously. Sue and Bill who run the organization have such a big heart for feeding the underserved children in our area.
Got Your Back San Diego is doing such great work to help feed the hungry kids of North County! Each week they send home a backpack of food to hungry children to assist the family in feeding them when they are not at School.
At the helm of this organization is a wonderful, compassionate, kind, caring and generous couple who give selflessly of their time and energy. They truly care about the welfare and well being of all the kids they serve.
They include the community in so many ways. And all of us volunteers feel loved and appreciated. GYBSD and Bill and Sue McLeod are a true blessing to all the kids and families they serve, the community as a whole and all of us privileged to serve along side them.
I highly encourage anyone looking to be a part of something truly special, to find your place in this organization. Whether it be holding a food drive, giving a donation, packing up the backpacks, unloading and or sorting all the food for the week. You can even organize your troop or group to come in for a couple of hours to volunteer. There is something for everyone.
Their heart for kids to know their value as boys and girls that matter is core to their mission of making sure no one goes hungry. Their generosity and service to our community are one of the best!
We would highly recommend GYB San Diego charity. Their amazing team has given back to San Diego in such an amazing way, caring for children all across the county who would normally be overlooked. We have been involved with GYB for the past several years and have seen them touch so many lives firsthand.
I have been a volunteer at Got Your Back San Diego for 6 1/2 years. I was looking for a volunteer opportunity as a way to give back a little to the community. I met founders Bill and Sue McLeod and knew I found the right place. I love helping out here because of the positive environment, variety of jobs, a need that is being addressed, and working with other great volunteers. I enjoy my time helping out each week in the warehouse and also occasionally working as a delivery driver. All the other volunteers are outstanding people. Fun spot to do something nice for people (kids) who need it. - Mike
Got Your Back San Diego is the non profit we support and believe in!! My husband Brian Fletcher and I Lisa Fletcher strongly support all that GYBSD does for hungry kids in North County San Diego! Also our in laws Kim and Marilyn Fletcher of Del Mar Ca love donating to GYBSD... They’re unique idea of providing food for hungry kids in school through the use of backpacks supplied with enough food for there whole family on weekends is such a great concept!! And it works!! So many people are unaware of the number of kids that go to school hungry and are homeless☹️And the only meals they receive throughout the week are the meals they get at school. On the weekends they probably do not eat at all... so they’re grades and learning abilities suffer tremendously because all they can think about is there next meal so sad..so Got Your Back to the rescue!! More schools need this program!! School kids on this program will tell you how thankful they are for the food that GYBSD provides for them and there families!! Hunger in kids should not be in our country!! But we are truly thankful for the commitment of Bill and Sue McLeod in there efforts through GYBSD to end hunger of kids in North County San Diego! May this continue to grow in other counties as well!!
This non profit makes a world of difference in our community. Children who would normally go hungry on the weekends get food. They are serving the imitate community of food deprived children, a problem most people do not even realize exists. We need more non profits like this one in every community!
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No kid shall go hungry! That’s our mantra and this drives our sweet founder to always find a way providing to our north county kids.
Got Your Back San Diego has a great system for providing children in San Diego food totake home so they have meals over the weekend. This gives them a good start on Monday morning when otherwise they would be tired and unfocused for school after not having enough to eat over the weekend. Our organization focuses on pediatric medical care. We participated in collecting shelf food and milk to help restock the warehouse supplies at American Relief Organization - Got Your Back San Diego. Our staff employees and top management also participated in packing backpacks to be distributed to school children throughout the county. Our organization decided that Got You Back was also deserving of a check donation to help with their cause.
This organization is such a great way to reach and care for kids that might otherwise fall though the cracks.
The founder, Sue McLeod recognized that children were coming to school hungry and decided to do something about it. Kids are able to get a free lunch at school during the week. But week ends often mean they come to school with hungry bellies on Monday. The Got Your Back organization sends these children home with their own back pack filled with healthy non-perishable foods for the week end. Is!n't that a great idea!
This organization does amazing work at the local level to help feed children and stabilize the lives of entire families in the So CA area. They are an inspiration to everyone that knows them and the work they do. I have known the founders for over 25 years and have seen the fruit of their lives.
I helped stuff backpacks for got your back. You don't realize how many kids are going hungry until you put simple basic food in a bag knowing it will make its way to a child's belly. The organizers put inspirational notes or pictures to brighten up the kids days. This is an incredible organization.
Got Tour Back San Diego is an amazing non-profit that sends backpacks full of food home with school children at risk of going hungry over weekends and holidays. I have volunteered helping to fill the backpacks with food and was very impressed with everyone associated with this non-profit.
Got Your Back has helped feed and care for kids in my school district. My son and I have packed backpacks with them. They’re such great people doing great things. Hearts of gold!!
Got Your Back is a wonderful organization dedicated to serving our most nutrition-vulnerable local kids. They do so much in a shoestring... fantastic group of folks!!
As the founder of Got Your Back San Diego, the biggest blessing I receive is the blessing of helping others who are less fortunate. This is especially true with children. Right at the top of the list too is working with other like-minded people who help by sharing their time and treasure. Without them, this organization simply would not exist. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
Bill McLeod
Compassion personified. Having worked as a Human Service professional as well as Realtor, I see needs everywhere and look for the best resources to partner with. Got Your Back San Diego does an incredible job with passion, love, and commitment to these children!
I have worked with Got Your Back San Diego for many years now. The work they do in the community is invaluable. I know first hand what a difference it makes to the children, their families and everyone in the schools. Hearing the thank you from these kids melts my heart.
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I have been blessed to be a part of this organization for many years. The work never ends and the smiles on the kids faces never stop. Good job everyone on the team!
Got your back does exactly what they say. They feed children who otherwise would likely go without meals over the weekend.
They have been a blessing to so many families in need. My family has received help in time of need and we really appreciate their caring hearts that go above and beyond to make sure kids are fed!
This foundation not only represents LOVE AND COMPASSION for our community and their families but they have such a Godly heart to help children that do Not have a voice.
They help schools be better assistance to those more needy families and feeding thier children on the weekends.
I have personally and professionally known the founders of this wonderful foundation. I have seen the passion first hand. Their pure service as servants to others.
MY children recieved christmas gifts from this foundation, which to some doesn't mean much but to those families that just had a rough year being able to have that extra of anything was such a blessing. My family has received food to make it through those rough months. That help from Got Your Back San Diego was such a relief to know we are not alone and with even how proudful I am and hardworking for my family. I can look to a foundation like this Got Your Back SD and be proud to be apart of it.
I have seen what they do in the community for outreach. We see them in our church sevices and schools . To see how honest and great the community CAN'T deny what this foundation is doing!
Amazing work for feeding the hungry is just the start of all the wonderful they bring in those back packs. They show support and understanding!
I have personally seen it and experienced the positive impact this foundatio has to the community in San Diego!
San Diego Got Your Back helps feed kids give them the best opportunity to really excel and even help those families in need too.
Changing lives for the better is what I see and know Got Your Back San Diego is doing!
I visited the Got You're Back facility and saw first hand how the beautiful people behind this project put love and thought into each backpack they provide. They go the extra mile, often at their own expense. This is an organization that gives everything donated to them back into the hands of the children and families they provide for. I would give to them in a heartbeat!
Jesus said forbid not the children to come unto me.jJesus also said he who is the greatest among you will be servant of all. To become great we must stoop down. Looking in the eyes of the hungry is what Jesus does.G.U.B. is nobly following the very heart of God in feeding the least of these.
We have been supporters of "Got Your Back" since they first became a Non-Profit Organization. We are so impressed by the love, care and support that they give to the local children that attend the schools in North County San Diego. Bill and Sue McLeod and all of the volunteers in whatever capacity devote their time and talents working non-stop to insure that the children receive the nutrition that their little minds and bodies need to thrive. Not only on the weekend when the children take their back packs home. Another cool part ~ they learn about nutrition in a fun way through the educational handout that the children to do each week. That is something that will affect them the rest of their lives while building up their self esteem! It is awesome to see the "Thank You" cards and art work the kids create. That is gratitude from the hearts of these little lives. That truly makes a difference! My husband and I are so blessed that the Lord has given us the opportunity to give! Sincerely ~ Jeff & Tina
This is truly a loving, caring organization with amazing people helping other human beings with intent of nothing in return! They give from the heart! My daughter fell on hard times with 5 kids. She was given diapers for the baby and food for the kids, and a big hug with hope for better days! God bless them all!
Got Your Back SD is changing lives and feeding kids, not just food for the body but generousity and care that says "you matter". Grades go up. Lethargic turns to energy. They feel hopeful and safe on Friday's knowing they're taking food home. Awareness is our greatest tool!
As a teacher at Jefferson elementary I am able to see firsthand the difference they make for students!
You can see that this charity is embraced by the community. its not a large charity but it makes a difference to the children who get food each week. That counts bigtime in my opinion.
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This is an amazing thing these people do. It's so much more than just feeding people, it's about uniting people in communities and helping the less fortunate. It is definitely inspiring to people like me. Thank you for all you do!
" thank you GYB for the food. The food is making me taller." One little boy told his teacher and sent a thank you card. Because he isn't skipping meals every weekend he's growing. That's amazing! Good job serving your community of children in Carlsbad Vista and Oceanside Elementary Schools.
I didn't realize it at the time, but my son had a friend who ended up living with us for a couple years and I remember him bringing home a backpack full of food. He desperately needed it because his parent was homeless, living between houses to hotels. Thank you GYB for always providing these meals for him!
This organization has a heart for hungry children in our community. They are tireless in their efforts to feed as many kids as possible and they have been successful in doing so. Please help Bill and Sue McLeod and the many wonderful volunteers to make this coming year even more successful by donating to the cause that all of us should be concerned with. They are the most honest God-Serving people I know.
Go to www.gotyourbacksd.org and click on HOW CAN I HELP to donate.
Thank you
Bringing food to hungry children is a pure joy.
I love that it is non-political.
You can be a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Atheist, Christian, Jew, Muslim, Bi-Sexual, etc.
Just feed the children!!
The number of kids who rely on a school lunch as their primary source of nutrition is staggering and Got Your Back does an amazing job of helping out kids and families in our community with much needed after-school and weekend meals. Many thanks to these amazing people who tirelessly fund-raise and coordinate getting food to these families who often don't qualify for the full support of "the system" but really just need a little extra hand.
What a godsend this is for so many kids in North County San Diego who would go hungry all weekend. These people really care about the kids. It's all for the kids.
Great people helping to get food to people who need help. No one should go hungry in this land of plenty. Help support if able.
This organization completely rocks and is helping kids to have food over the weekends, where they otherwise would not. I highly support them, we so need more people knowing about this because there are tons more hungry kids right here in our backyards.
ARO / Got Your Back San Diego has a passion for kids who don't know where their next meal will come from. For most children living in American cities from the west coast to the east, sharing a bag of microwave popcorn with your family of 4 for dinner might seem like "it can't happen here", but it does. And a lot more often than you think. Did you know that right now, as you read this, there are over 20,000 children attending San Diego County schools who have been identified as homeless and food insecure? And that number is growing every year. When hunger threatens the future of a child, it threatens the future of our nation as well. Looking into the face of hunger can be difficult, but your compassion and kindness can determine whether a local homeless child will eat this weekend… or not. It takes so little to make a significant impact in the life of a child who has so few options. To learn more about ways you can help please visit www.gybsd.org. Together we can help change a life.
Got Your Back San Diego is truly a blessing for 250+ kids in over 11 North County schools we serve currently. We take into consideration that there are SO MANY MORE HUNGRY KIDS that we cannot provide food for. It's important that we are not just adding kids to the program, but that we are able to COMMIT to those who depend on the food we provide each week. Our community has proven over and over again that when the need arises it's the community that helps us to accomplish our goals!
We hope beyond hope to increase our support and volunteer base for our 2015/2016 school year with additional funding.
There are no words to express when we read letters from the teachers who keep us informed that the children receiving food for the weekends are improving in all areas. The food we are able to provide plays a huge role in a child's development, emotionally and physically.
Review from Guidestar
ARO-Got Your Back SD is an awsome organization the feeds hungry kids each weekend. These kids are referred by local public schools as being hungry and/or homeless, but attend the public elementary schools. The teachers tell that the children's grades, health, social skills and more improve greatly when they start getting the backpacks full of food for the weekends. I have seen how selfless the volunteers are, and how smoothly the operation is to feed the kids. I know they just need more funds to feed even more kids each week.