Anyone living in this region long enough has been a witness to our vulnerability to storms, fires, floods, earthquakes, and even tsunamis. It’s not a question of if, but when the next disaster will strike the Central Coast, and that’s why Second Harvest has teamed up with PG&E to build emergency preparedness and resilience throughout the community.
Willy Elliott-McCrea, Second Harvest chief executive officer wrote, “When the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake devastated our county, PG&E and Second Harvest came together to assist those in need and we have been working together ever since. Our media campaign this fall reached thousands of residents with messages to prepare a family emergency plan, maintain an emergency kit, and keep phone numbers for emergency resources handy.
“These funds, along with the donations and cans gathered by PG&E employees will provide more than 40,000 healthy meals and other emergency supplies such as bottled water. Second Harvest wants to take this opportunity to recognize PG&E’s community leadership from employees packing food in our warehouse, to collecting cans and contributions at facilities and as a generous sponsor of our Holiday Food Drive. By teaming up to take action now, we improve our community’s resiliency to better handle any disaster nature may bring.”
On Thursday, November 7, 2013 at 9:30, local media, representatives from Pacific Gas and Electric, and Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County, as well as Mayor Lowell Hurst of Watsonville attended the presentation of the $10,000 check.
Elliott-McCrea said “This grant will be used all year round for both personal and community emergencies. It is especially needed during the winter when storms and cold bring human misery. Our partnership with PG&E started 24 years ago when Second Harvest got our first check from them to help our community just four days after the 1989 earthquake.”
Rob Morse, PG&E manager of Energy Solutions & Service said, “This money will also be used to help fund an education campaign reaching out to those using Second Harvest’s services encouraging them to be prepared for emergencies.”
Watsonville Mayor Lowell Hurst added, “PG&E’s grant will help to make sure that the most needy will be able to keep their heat and lights on because for some, everyday is an emergency.”
Lindsey Miller, PG&E Community Relations stated, “This holiday season our company is contributing $6.3 million to service organizations and nonprofits in the communities we serve.”
Founded in 1972, Second Harvest Food Bank was the first food bank in California and the second in the nation. Its mission is to end hunger and malnutrition by educating and involving the community. The need for food aid in Santa Cruz County is up 38% since 2008. Second Harvest’s network of 200 local agencies and programs feeds 55,000 people in Santa Cruz County every month: half are kids. For every $1 dollar donated, it can provide four meals. Second Harvest is also honored to receive a four-star rating from Charity Navigator in recognition of our effective stewardship.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation’s cleanest energy to 15 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/about/newsroom/ and www.pgecurrents.com.
Every action and every dollar makes a difference in the lives of our neighbors in need. Together, PG&E and Second Harvest are working to build stronger communities.
For more information visit: www.thefoodbank.org