10 Things About Frank Ortega & San Diego Food Bank

“I have more years behind me than in front of me and appreciate every day I get to see the sun
rise.”

The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank is proud to serve as the regional food safety-net for all persons in San Diego County facing food insecurity. On average, the Food Bank is feeding 400,000 people each month from across San Diego County. Frank Ortega was working at a local nonprofit that partnered with the Food Bank and found himself drawn to the Food Bank’s mission. A few months later, the opportunity to join the team presented itself and today, Frank serves as the Senior Director of Operations for the San Diego Food Bank.

#1 I was born in Tijuana, Mexico but spent most of my early years in Oceanside running around the beaches and neighborhoods of the Deep Valley, then relocated to Escondido.

#2 I am married to the love of my life Maria Guadalupe Ortega. Our family also consists of our daughter Celine and our three sons, Nicholas, Adrian and Frankie.

#3 My favorite travel destination is split between Puerto Vallarta and Oahu.

#4 I would like to visit the remaining Hawaiian Islands along with the 7 Wonders of the World. I visited Chichén Itzá last year and it was amazing.

#5 I am planning to attend the 2026 World Cup games.

#6 The Food Bank is on track to distribute more than 50 million pounds of food this fiscal year, with at least 50% of that amount consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables.

#7 I grew up in similar situations as the people we serve. My father used to take us to packing facilities around San Luis Rey River for cases of produce and would then make me, and my brother Tito walk door to door and hand them out to neighborhood families.

#8 Life has been a little tough, but I give all the credit to my old-school parents who instilled hard work, responsibility, perseverance, and to have a positive outlook on life.

#9 Gilbert Mastri was a great coach, mentor, father figure, and someone who I will always admire. If it was not for him, I would never have had the career experience that led me to the San Diego Food Bank. Love you, Gil!

#10 Proceeds from the 12th annual San Diego Food Bank Gala will benefit the Food Bank’s vital hunger-relief programs, including the Food 4 Kids Backpack Program, which provides weekend food-filled backpacks to children living in poverty who are at risk of hunger over the weekend when free school meals are unavailable.

San Diego Food Bank Gala
Saturday, April 27, 2024
San Diego Food Bank
www.sandiegofoodbank.org/gala