The Encinitas Rotary Club handed $133,000 in checks to 17 local nonprofit organizations on Aug. 5. The distribution capped the Encinitas Wine & Food Festival's 23rd year and pushed its cumulative fundraising to nearly $2 million.
Brian Driscoll, president of the Encinitas Rotary Club, presented the checks during the club's weekly meeting at the Encinitas Elks Lodge in Cardiff. The June festival at Encinitas Ranch Golf Course drew about 1,100 guests, according to Patch.
"What I like about the festival is that it gives a small nonprofit the same platform as a large one," Driscoll said.
Each organization's share was based on how much it raised through the event, not an equal split of the pot. Beneficiaries ranged from the Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA and Rancho Coastal Humane Society to smaller groups like Labrats and Retread Housing.
The full list of 2026 recipients: American Association of University Women, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Casa de Amistad, Del Sol Lions, Doors of Change, Dream Center Baja, Encinitas Chamber of Commerce, Encinitas Education Foundation, Encinitas Rotary Foundation, Labrats, MAEGA, Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA, Pacific Southwest CDC, Rancho Coastal Humane Society, Retread Housing, Solana Beach ECO Rotary Club and Solutions for Change.
A grant from the San Diego County Board of Supervisors helped offset staging costs, the club said.
The fundraising result also contributed to a separate honor. The Encinitas Rotary Club was named Best Medium-Sized Club in Rotary District 5340, which covers nearly 60 clubs across San Diego and Imperial counties, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Longtime member Sherry Yardley was honored as District 5340 Rotarian of the Year, selected from among 3,000 Rotarians.
The club meets Wednesdays at noon at the Encinitas Elks Lodge, 1393 Windsor Rd., Cardiff. Residents interested in joining or learning about volunteer opportunities can attend a meeting.
Upcoming community events
- Tuesday, Sept. 1: SDCCU blood drive at the Encinitas branch, addressing a local supply shortage.
- Ongoing through early October: Public review period for Encinitas' citywide zoning code overhaul.
