Community Action Agencies and SupplyBank.org Partner to Deliver Essential Aid to the Central Valley
FRESNO, Calif., May 19, 2022– A major donation of diapers, wipes, cleaning supplies, and personal protective equipment (PPE) will ease the burden of purchasing these materials for one local nonprofit, Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission, helping families and childcare programs meet one of the many challenges of operating during a pandemic with rising inflation.
SupplyBank.org, a nonprofit that distributes vital materials where they are needed in innovative ways, and the Central Valley Opportunity Center (CVOC), the leading vocational and community support organization in the Central Valley, delivered 514,500 children’s 3-ply masks,15,300 N95 masks,325,900diapers, 515,800 wipes, 69,100 disinfectant wipes, and 4,600 self-test kits forCOVID-19 to Fresno EOC over the past month.
Emilia Reyes, CEO of Fresno EOC, said, “We operate 35 programs where we provide essential resources and services to underserved communities and our most vulnerable populations. With these vital donations from SupplyBank.org and CVOC, we can provide more help to Fresno County residents so they have access to much-needed health and safety supplies. We are grateful to these organizations for partnering with us to help our community thrive.”
“The pandemic has forced everyone in the Central Valley to rethink how we serve the community. Poverty has hit harder and deeper than ever before. Families are struggling to access even the most basic items like diapers and wipes,” said Jorge De Nava Jr., Executive Director of CVOC. CVOC’s truck driving school trains displaced workers to become truck drivers. Through the partnership with SupplyBank.org, CVOC can provide hands-on training to students. Both collaborators help local agencies fill gaps in the safety-net programs and provide their community with essential supplies.
“SupplyBank.org works to support pathways out of poverty as we collaborate with our statewide network of partners to address some of the worst symptoms of it. The CVOC partnership does this. Hiring their truck driving school for our shipping needs for our COVID-recovery programs in the Central Valley enables us to ensure the most vulnerable in our community have the materials they need while supporting local job creation,” said Benito Delgado-Olson, Executive Director of SupplyBank.org.
The COVID Response and Poverty Reduction Program administered bySupplyBank.org in partnership with the California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) and matching other contributors made the donation possible.
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About Central Valley Opportunity Center (CVOC)
Central Valley Opportunity Center, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c) (3) employment training and service provider serving the California counties of Merced, Madera, and Stanislaus. CVOC is funded primarily through federal, state and local grants to serve farm worker and low-income populations.
About Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission (EOC)
Established in 1965, Fresno EOC is a non-profit Community Action Agency that provides opportunities, strengthens self-sufficiency, and offers support for all people. We listen to the needs of the communities we serve to create effective programs and services. Fresno EOC is at the forefront, continuing the war on poverty with over 35 programs dedicated to getting people the help they need to achieve their goals.
