Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Szpak.
Daniel, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a Registered Nurse at UC San Diego with a lifetime passion for ice cream. I cofounded Hammond’s Gourmet Ice Cream in North Park in 2014. Having sold my share of the company, but not losing my passion, I created Scoop San Diego – San Diego’s first-ever ice cream festival – to celebrate everyone’s love of ice cream as a catalyst for social change. Inspired to make a difference in our community, my goal is to bring all the best ice cream and gelato shops together in one place every year to raise money for local organizations that provide services for underserved communities in San Diego County.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Working full time as a Nurse and planning a large, first-time event was definitely challenging. I am so appreciative that 20 local ice cream and gelato shops generously donated their time and product to the festival this year, which was amazing! We were also fortunate to have some local shops and restaurants sponsor the event.
And, I couldn’t have done it without my friend and coworker turned events manager, Shawnees Peacock, and Angela Landsberg from North Park Main Street. We surrounded ourselves with a dedicated team of design and marketing professionals from A7D Creative Group and an amazing group of volunteers. I was determined to make Scoop San Diego’s first year successful.
We’d love to hear more about your organization.
Scoop San Diego is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds in support of local organizations that improve the lives of underserved communities in San Diego County. Our main event this year was the region’s first-ever ice cream festival that celebrated the evolving craft ice cream and gelato scene in San Diego. We are very proud that as a result of everyone’s efforts we raised $20,000 for Monarch School in Barrio Logan, a recognized leader in the education of homeless youth living in San Diego County, and approximately 4,000 people attended the inaugural event in North Park.
Planning for Scoop San Diego 2020 is underway, and we hope to continue raising the bar of what a food festival can do for our community.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Scoop San Diego’s vision is to celebrate the joy of ice cream as a catalyst for social connection and human compassion. If we can continue to raise much-needed funding for local organizations that help our most vulnerable – while bringing family and friends together for an annual ice cream festival – then we are successful.
Contact Info:
- Website: scoopsandiego.org
- Email: scoopsandiegofest@gmail.com
- Instagram: @scoopsandiego
- Facebook: @scoopsandiego
Image Credit:
A7D Creative Group credit for the following photos:
1. SSD Girl Photo
2. SSD Boy Photo
3. Explore North Park Cone
4. Cone with plants
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