San Diego FC Wraps Up 2026 Back to School Campaign, Presented by Hawthorne CAT, Donating Over 3,000 Supply Packs Across the San Diego Region.
The Club's Month-Long Community Initiative Supported Local Schools, Families, and Educators Through Donations, Player Appearances, and a Landmark Community Block Party
San Diego FC today announced the conclusion of its 2026 Back to School Campaign, a month-long community initiative that ran from July 27 through September 3. Presented by Hawthorne CAT, the campaign delivered more than 3,000 school supply packs to students, families, and educators across the San Diego region — reinforcing the club's commitment to being woven into the fabric of its community.
“Being a community club means showing up in ways that matter, said Joel Katz, VP of Community Impact. Together with Hawthorne CAT and our community partners, we helped thousands of students and families start the school year strong - and showed them that their hometown club is in their corner.”
Donation Efforts Reach 18 Recipients Across the Region
Through donations to club community partners - including Sycuan, Chicano Federation, and the San Diego Parks Foundation - as well as direct distributions to local schools and families, SDFC provided more than 3,000 school supply packs across 18 locations throughout the region.
The month-long campaign brought support directly into communities across San Diego helping thousands of students begin the school year prepared. The campaign reflects SDFC’s broader commitment to showing up across the region in ways that respond to what communities need most.
"At Hawthorne CAT we help our customers build better communities, and we love to invest back into the communities in which we work and live," said GM of Marketing and Digital, Christos Giannaris.
First Team Players and Staff Show Up for San Diego
SDFC players, staff and Hawthorne CAT staff volunteered throughout the campaign — packing and delivering donation bags, participating in school visits, and serving as honorary guests at local campuses. Player appearances at schools throughout the region gave students an up-close look at their hometown club and the people behind it.
Community Block Party at Willie Henderson Park
On August 1, SDFC brought the energy of Snapdragon Stadium to Southeast San Diego with a Community Block Party at Willie Henderson Park. Presented by Adriana's Insurance, the event featured a street soccer tournament, community food and beverage vendors, resource booths, live music, face painters, free haircuts, and family-friendly inflatables — drawing more than 1,000 community members from across the neighborhood.
Attendees also gathered to watch San Diego FC take on Minnesota United FC, bringing the matchday atmosphere directly into the heart of the community.
