The Foundation was established by Harold and Kay Kutler in 1983 based on the work of a Benedictine monk, Brother Benno Garrity, from the Prince of Peace Abbey in Oceanside, California. Brother Benno died in 1992 after dedicating his life to feeding the poor and homeless. People still talk about the bread Brother Benno baked and took to those in need. The Foundation began with a small soup kitchen at 307 Minnesota Street in Oceanside, and has grown into a ministry addressing many types of social problems in San Diego County, including hunger, homelessness, and alcohol and drug addiction. The majority of "guests" used to be homeless men, however, the majority of "guests" served are now working poor families.

Most of the funding and donations of food, clothing, and hygiene items comes to the Brother Benno Foundation from private companies and individuals. While many non-profit charitable organizations spend as much as 50% of donations on high priced executives and fund-raisers, the Brother Benno Foundation does not. The board of directors is made up of volunteers who devote their time not only in making the hard decisions, but in direct service at the Center. The executive director receives only one dollar per year. The management and staff consist of Lay Ministers and Program Members who donate their time, receiving only a small stipend each month which is paid from the proceeds of the Brother Benno Thrift Store. The Brother Benno Auxiliary, made up of volunteers, has several fund-raising activities including an annual fashion show and cookie booths at local fairs. Since the administration and labor are donated, monetary donations are used to provide goods and services for the poor and disadvantaged, as the donors intended. The Foundation shares its donations of food, clothing, blankets, and furniture with a number of other non-profit organizations in the area.