The largest agricultural employer in the San Joaquin Valley announced today that it’s providing $1 million in grants to support COVID-19 relief in rural communities.
Fruit and nut powerhouse The Wonderful Company says the form of that relief will be decided by community non-profits applying for grants.
“We don’t pretend to have all the answers or know how to have impact to help our communities that have been impacted by relief,” says Andy Anzaldo, Chief Operating Officer of Philanthropy. “But we know the non-profits that are in these communities, they have the answers, they have the programs that can demonstrate impact.”
Some cities, like Fresno, have developed relief grants and programs to support businesses and families, but Anzaldo says that coming from a private organization, this money will hopefully be in the community much more quickly than state and federal funds.
So far, Anzaldo says the Wonderful Company has spent around $11 million in COVID-19 relief by providing meals and other essentials to employees, their families, and students enrolled in the Wonderful College Prep Academy.
Applications for grants are open until the end of the month and preference will be given to non-profits serving Wasco, Delano, Shafter, Firebaugh, Avenal, Sanger, Mendota, or Del Rey.