Save the date
More details to follow
Date
Friday, October 16, 2026
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Time
11:15 a.m.
Registration opens
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Tamale luncheon, networking & music
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Moderated panel discussion, raffle & auction
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Location
1865 National Avenue, San Diego CA 92113
Free onsite parking
Tickets
Individual ticket: $25 • Table for eight: $180
Ticket includes:
Networking opportunities • Free parking • Entertainment
Guest speakers • Tamale luncheon (includes rice, beans & drink)
Contact us
Call (619) 798-3611 or email our team for more information or to become a SOTB sponsor.
History of SOTB
Since 1986, Family Health Centers of San Diego’s Spirit of the Barrio luncheons have spread awareness about our mission to provide high-quality health care to underserved communities across San Diego, while also presenting a variety of themes to our guests as they dine on our legendary tamales.
The event promises to inform, educate and entertain its hundreds of audience members and does so through a diverse list of guest speakers and subjects. We’ve hosted prominent community leaders and local stars as speakers and entertainers since the luncheon began. From former Mayor Jerry Sanders to Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Jason Mraz, the list of previous Spirit of the Barrio guest speakers is both notable and expansive.
The list includes leaders from our local professional sport teams, such as the former San Diego Chargers head coaches and players, a former San Diego Padres CEO, the Padres radio announcer and the San Diego State University Aztec Athletics Department. We’ve even hosted the associate director of the U.S. Olympic Training Center!
Entertainers, authors and community leaders have also graced our stage. From motivational speakers and playwrights to comedians and actors, we’ve had all kinds of entertainment for our audience, which is made up of friends, peers, sponsors and community leaders.
One of our most-attended Spirit of the Barrio luncheons featured a panel discussion on homelessness and affordable housing in San Diego. Panelists included Toni Atkins, former Speaker of the California State Assembly, as well as Rick Gentry of the San Diego Housing Commission, Bob McElroy of Alpha Project and Deacon Jim Vargas of Father Joe’s Villages. The conversation around this issue was emceed by 10News’ Kimberly Hunt. It was a successful event!
The Spirit of the Barrio luncheon is a celebrated part of Family Health Centers of San Diego’s history and is held at 1728 Newton Avenue, in the Barrio Logan neighborhood. The luncheons are open to the public and also always feature regionally unique raffle and silent auction prizes.
We hope to see you at an upcoming Spirit of the Barrio!
