IV Food Bank receives $5K donation

The California Fire Foundation has gifted $ 5,000 to the Imperial Valley Food Bank, a press release issued Friday stated.

CFF is a non- profit organization in Sacramento that provides emotional and financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters, firefighters and the communities they protect.

The release said the donation to IVFB is part of CFF’s ongoing commitment to provide funding and support for community- based organizations that are on the front lines, helping those facing the greatest risk from COVID- 19.

“As California firefighters are on the front lines of wildfires and other natural disasters, so too are the many organizations supporting families and communities through the COVID- 19 pandemic,” CFF Executive Director Rick Martinez said. “Our foundation has already supported communities heavily impacted by disaster and we are proud to continue that commitment and aid the Imperial Valley Food Bank in their ongoing efforts to help their communities.”

The IV Food Bank regularly provides life- saving food to extremely low- income families in the community, where one in three people they serve are children, the news release said, adding that throughout the pandemic, IVFB has provided food assistance every month to around 29,000 people.

The staff of just 15 has seen a substantial increase in the number of persons reaching out for assistance compared to this time last year.

“So many are suffering in our community due to this unprecedented crisis, and we have seen the need for our services increase by over 50 percent,” IVFB Executive Director Sara Griffen said. “We know our clients, and sadly they are some of the most vulnerable in our county. We are grateful for the generous donation from the California Fire Foundation that enables us to continue to help those in dire need due to the COVID- 19 crisis.”