Santa Cruz Warriors Announce Community Partnership With Second Harvest Food Bank On Food Insecurity Initiative For the 2025-26 Season

SANTA CRUZ, CA – The Santa Cruz Warriors are partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County to support their annual Holiday Food and Fund Drive (HFFD), the team announced today. Led by Santa Cruz Warriors Team President and HFFD co-captain Chris Murphy, this annual community partnership reinforces Santa Cruz's deep commitment to addressing food insecurity as the Warriors collaborate with Kaiser Permanente, The Athletes’ Corner, and Whiting’s Foods to ensure that meals are donated through every game-day touchpoint. From in-arena concessions to the points being scored on the court, the Sea Dubs will work with Second Harvest Food Bank to raise awareness, generate funds, and bring the community one step closer to a hunger-free Santa Cruz County.

Swishes for Dishes will serve as the headlining program in the organization's community partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank to support their annual Holiday Food and Fund Drive, which will run from Thursday, November 6, through Thursday, January 15, 2026. Ten meals will be donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County for each point the Santa Cruz Warriors score throughout the entire 2025-26 NBA G League season across both home and away games. Originally launched in 2020, the Santa Cruz Warriors, Kaiser Permanente, and The Athletes’ Corner have donated 283,615 meals to Second Harvest Food Bank over the past five seasons.

“Times are tough right now for so many members of our community, and it disheartens me to think about how many are suffering from food insecurity right here in Santa Cruz County. Second Harvest Food Bank continues to do more, serving 70,000 local residents a month! We at the Warriors are excited to team up with Kaiser Permanente for the sixth season of the Swishes for Dishes program to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank,” said Chris Murphy, Santa Cruz Warriors Team President and Second Harvest Food Bank Holiday Food and Fund Drive co-captain. “After donating over 60,000 meals last year through the program, we hope this year’s efforts continue to grow as the community's need continues to grow.”

Additionally, the Sea Dubs are partnering with Whiting’s Foods, the in-arena concessions vendor at Kaiser Permanente Arena, to offer fans the opportunity to add a donation of 15 meals, or $5, to all food and beverage purchases at Warriors home games this season.

“We are grateful for our partners at Whiting’s Foods for joining the efforts again this season, allowing Santa Cruz Warriors fans the opportunity to support fellow community members via a donation of meals to Second Harvest Food Bank,” Murphy said, “we know how much our loyal Sea Dubs fans support us, and we look forward to watching them support local community members in need through our collective efforts to reduce food insecurity.”

"Kaiser Permanente recognizes that access to nutritious food is essential to health and well-being,” said Eric Henry, FACHE, senior vice president and area manager for Kaiser Permanente in Santa Cruz and the Greater San Jose area. “We are proud to partner with organizations in our community that are providing local residents with the food, services, and support they need to lead healthy and active lives.”

To donate directly to the Santa Cruz Warriors fundraising efforts on behalf of Second Harvest Food Bank’s Holiday Food and Fund Drive, CLICK HERE. 

The Santa Cruz Warriors open the season against the Rip City Remix at home on Friday, November 7 at 7 p.m. PT. All fans in attendance will receive an Opening Night T-shirt, courtesy of Kaiser Permanente. Limited tickets for Opening Night are still available by visiting santacruzbasketball.com, emailing scwtickets@warriors.com, or calling (831) 713-4400. Stay up to date with the latest Santa Cruz Warriors news, scores, and exclusive content by downloading the official Santa Cruz Warriors app for iOS and Android.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve nearly 12.6 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.

About Second Harvest Food Bank

Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ending food insecurity in the Santa Cruz community through food distribution and nutrition education. Originally founded in 1972, Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County was the first food bank in California and is the second oldest in the nation. Second Harvest partners with local organizations to reach families, seniors, and individuals in need, providing meals to 65,000 local residents every month. Through community involvement and advocacy, Second Harvest works to address food insecurity and foster a healthier, hunger-free Santa Cruz County. 

About The Athletes’ Corner

The Athletes' Corner is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works with professional athletes and teams to strengthen families who are struggling mentally, spiritually, and physically through the vehicle of sports. Through The Athletes’ Corner vs. Hunger initiative, The Athletes’ Corner and Feeding America are providing meals to millions of people struggling with food insecurity through a unique approach linked to the in-game performance of athletes and the teams they partner with. The Athletes' Corner also creates uplifting media content that is focused on faith and family to be a light for those who need more uplifting mentally and spiritually. Visit theathletescorner.org or their Instagram to learn more.