San Luis Obispo County, CA – June 15, 2026 – Nearly $90,000 was raised for local families experiencing homelessness at El Camino Homeless Organization’s (ECHO) 3rd Annual Vines That ECHO Winemaker Dinner, held June 5th at Copia Vineyards & Winery in Paso Robles.
The record-breaking event, which nearly doubled the amount raised at last year’s dinner, will directly support ECHO’s Building Hope & Home Campaign.
Today, more than 300 individuals and families remain on ECHO’s waitlist for shelter. The new 7,200-square-foot Family Resource Center will help address the urgent need by adding 30 beds for families with children, creating a safe place where parents and children can begin rebuilding their lives together.
Scheduled to open in early fall 2026, the Family Resource Center will offer private family rooms, comprehensive case management, workforce development opportunities, children’s spaces, and other supportive services designed to help families achieve long-term housing stability.
“This project represents hope for families who simply need an opportunity to get back on their feet,” said ECHO CEO Wendy Lewis. “Every dollar raised moves us closer to opening the doors of this building and welcoming families into a space designed specifically to help them heal, grow, and thrive.”
The evening brought together community leaders, local businesses, winemakers, and supporters who share a commitment to strengthening San Luis Obispo County. Guests enjoyed a four-course dinner prepared by Chef Rachel Ponce of Pair With, thoughtfully paired with wines from Copia Vineyards & Winery, Ciento Cellars, and The Royal Nonesuch Farm, along with a specialty beer pairing from Cellar Fermentation.
The live auction and Fund-a-Need portion of the evening generated significant support for specific elements of the Family Resource Center, including family sleeping rooms, workforce development computer stations, furnishings, and other resources that will help transform an empty building into a place families can truly call a fresh start.
One of the most meaningful moments of the evening came when Lynn and Stephen Knutson chose to sponsor and name a room in the new Family Wing in honor of Stephen’s father, David Lee Knutson.
“We named this room after David Lee Knutson because his story deserves to be told,” they shared. “David grew up with very little in Patterson, California. At age 12, a neighboring family let him live in their spare room due to his family’s limited means. Through determination and hard work, he earned a scholarship to UC Berkeley, became the first in his family to attend college, and built a successful life in the seed industry.
For years, David quietly left items outside his Los Angeles office for a man who slept nearby each night. They never exchanged a word, but there was a deep, unspoken friendship between them built on respect and consistency. That was who David was.
He survived pancreatic cancer for 14 years. He was loved by everyone. Every one of our son’s friends called him ‘Grandpa Dave.’ He taught us to give back more to the world than you take.
When we learned about ECHO’s Building Hope & Home campaign and what this building will mean for families, we thought of David immediately. This felt like exactly the right place to honor him.”
ECHO extends its deepest gratitude to every individual who has generously donated to build hope & home for families in need. ECHO thanks Anita and Varinder Sahi of Copia Vineyards, Chef Rachel Ponce and her team, participating wineries, sponsors, auction donors, volunteers, and every guest who attended and supported the event. Their generosity is helping create a future where more families have access to safety, stability, and a pathway back into housing.
For more information about ECHO, the Building Hope & Home Campaign, or ways to get involved, visit www.echoshelter.org.
About El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO)
ECHO’s mission since 2001 is to empower people in SLO County to make positive change by providing food, shelter, and supportive services. ECHO operates two facilities in Atascadero and Paso Robles with a combined capacity of 130 beds, including a 60-bed shelter in Atascadero and 70-bed shelter in Paso Robles, and a daily community dinner program, and shower program for individuals and families throughout San Luis Obispo County. For more information, please visit our website at www.echoshelter.org.
