San Diego Wave’s Kennedy Wesley on defense against hunger

Kennedy Wesley at an event. (Photo courtesy Kennedy Wesley / GoFundMe) Kennedy Wesley remembers the first time she handed out food to families in need. It was at a summer food distribution event, while small children made soccer-themed pins and finger puppets and parents shared their stories and gratitude. This sparked the beginning of volunteer work with the soccer player. Now, the San Diego Wave FC defender is collaborating with Feeding San Diego to fundraise throughout September for Hunger Action Month.  By starting a GoFundMe, Wesley hopes to ease struggles with food insecurity in San Diego.  “Being an athlete, being able to be properly fueled for the day, to be able to do the training and games that we do is super important.” Wesley said. “But it’s also really important for people that aren’t in athletics, people that are just fueling themselves for their daily lives.” “She felt inspired that day, just talking to some of the families that said it was a really big help to receive food during these summer months,” said Carissa Casares, communication director for Feeding San Diego. Hailing from Stanford University, Wesley was a defensive mainstay and the all-time leader in matches played as a cardinal. As a captain, she led the Cardinals to both NCAA and Pac-12 championships in 2019 and another Pac-12 championship in 2022. In her rookie season with the Wave, Wesley was named Rookie of the Month in Sept. 2024.  Wesley’s involvement with the nonprofit is a relationship just beginning to blossom. Established in 2007, Feeding San Diego is the leading hunger-relief organization in San Diego, according to their website. Each year, the organization reports providing more than 29 million meals. Additionally, they have partnerships with more than 300 local charities.  “To see what Feeding San Diego is doing with food rescuing and supplying food for so many different people of different walks of life, when it might not come as easy. I think that is just so awesome in and of itself,” Wesley said. “If with my platform I’m able to help in a positive way, I’m more than happy to do so.”  Casares said the organization is extremely grateful for Wesley’s involvement.  “She’s just shown incredible thoughtfulness and consideration when approaching our organization, and I think there’s such a natural tie in with athletes especially and food insecurity,” Careers said.  According to the GoFundMe, every $1 raised provides two meals for someone in need. The posting has a set goal of $500 raised by the end of September. In just one first week, they are more than half way there.  “Having support from public figures here in San Diego, whether it’s an athlete or a musician or just anyone that has a platform is incredibly important for nonprofits,” Casares said. “We really still need help getting the word out about what it is that we do and the programs that our nonprofit operates all year long.”