Grant allows OC Food Bank to increase capacity at partner organization serving children in need
IRVINE, CA (December 3, 2015) – A grant from Orange County United Way has allowed OC Food Bank, a program of Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAPOC), to donate a new commercial refrigerator to The Friendly Center in Placentia.
The investment means that The Friendly Center can expand its capacity to provide nutritious food to children participating in after school programs and other services.
Max Gardner, CEO of Orange County United Way, said, “We’re proud to collaborate with fantastic partner organizations like OC Food Bank and The Friendly Center in our effort to fill the meal gap in our community. Even in resource rich Orange County, a growing number of children do not have access to healthy food, which is critical to growing strong bodies and minds.”
Nearly 350,000 Orange County residents are food insecure. To help children and adults live healthier lives United Way is fighting hunger, lowering the childhood obesity rate and increasing access to healthcare as part of its FACE 2024 community-wide action plan. By 2024, United Way aims to increase the number of healthy youth by one-third.
“We appreciate the opportunity to reach more local families in need,” said Mark A. Lowry, Director of CAPOC’s OC Food Bank. “Increased capacity at locations such as The Friendly Center in Placentia is a critical component of our mission to end hunger and malnutrition in Orange County.”
The Friendly Center donation is just one of several refrigerators and family hydroponic units that the OC Food Bank plans to purchase for its partners throughout Orange County with United Way grant dollars.
NEWS CONTACTS:
Michael Suydam
21Strat 949.981.5008, mike@21strat.com
Katherine Ransom, Vice President, Marketing and Communications
Orange County United Way 949.263.6176, katheriner@unitedwayoc.org
ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY UNITED WAY:
Since 1924, Orange County United Way has been working to improve lives and strengthen our community by mobilizing the caring power of Orange County and focusing on the building blocks for a good quality of life: Education, Income, Health and Housing. By investing in Orange County children, families and individuals, we help them create pathways to self-sufficient lives. In short, we help people help themselves. Through our 10-year community-wide action plan, “FACE 2024” (an acronym for Fund, Advocate, Collaborate, Educate), we collaborate with local businesses, community organizations, governmental agencies and individuals to make a long-term measurable difference in the lives of local individuals and families. To learn more or to join our movement, visit www.unitedwayoc.org.
ABOUT COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP OF ORANGE COUNTY
Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAPOC) believes that no one should go hungry in one of the richest counties in the United States. Through the Orange County Food Bank, CAPOC works to alleviate hunger by distributing food to nearly 400 service providers to over 400,000 local residents in need. That’s nearly one quarter of the county’s population. By improving the lives of the poor, CAPOC is making Orange County a better place to live by feeding the hungry, promoting good health and improving living conditions in local communities. For more information, visit www.capoc.org.
ABOUT THE FRIENDLY CENTER IN PLACENTIA
Friendly Center is a comprehensive family and community resource center dedicated to improving the lives of children, adults, and seniors by helping them move toward self-sufficiency through immediate aid and a variety of educational and life skill programs. Friendly Center offers more than 20 free programs and services to low-income families through its six locations in Orange County. The programs help families overcome many of the barriers they face. For more information, visit us online at www.friendlycenter.org.
