Community Bridges to Receive Funding for Edible Garden Project

Santa Cruz County, CA — Community Bridges is pleased to announce it will lead the launch of an “Edible Gardens Project” after receiving a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture for the program. Families living in San Benito, Monterey, and Santa Cruz counties will have an opportunity to participate over the life of the program.

The two most frequently cited reasons that families have a hard time putting healthy meals on the table are access to fresh produce and affordability.

For many of Santa Cruz County’s lowest-income residents, there’s a tragic irony to living in America’s “salad bowl” while still struggling to provide nutritious meals for their own children.

“Our region has a rich agricultural tradition. Using funds provided by this grant, we can give young people the education, skills, and tools they need to grow their own fruits and vegetables,” said Raymon Cancino, Chief Executive Officer, Community Bridges. “But most importantly the educational program will connect our community’s young people with the farming traditions passed down through Pajaro Valley’s history.”

The grant provides nearly $100,000 for the North Monterey County School District to increase the procurement of locally sourced foods and more than $48,000 towards the Edible Garden Project, which will be led in partnership between Community Bridges’ Child and Adult Care Food Program, 100 Day Care Home Providers, and Lab Life, a garden-based educational organization.

“I am pleased to announce that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has made vital investments to increase access to healthy, nutritious food for students and communities on the Central Coast,” said Congressman Panetta.  “The Farm to School Grants for the North Monterey County Unified School District and Community Bridges will help strengthen the ties between our local agriculture industry and youth in our communities.  These grants represent a win-win scenario, as they will expose our children to agriculture and nutrition education through hands-on learning while providing a reliable revenue for local farmers.”

 ABOUT COMMUNITY BRIDGES 

Community Bridges envisions a thriving community where every person has the opportunity to unleash their full potential. Together, our family of programs delivers essential services, provides equitable access to resources, and advocates for health and dignity across every stage of life. To learn more, please visit www.communitybridges.org.

The Community Bridges family of programs includes the Child & Adult Care Food Program, Child Development Division, Women, Infants and Children (WIC), La Manzana Community Resources, Live Oak Community Resources, Mountain Community Resources, Nueva Vista Community Resources, Elderday Adult Day Health Care, Lift Line and Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County.

Thanks to your voices, Gov. Gavin Newsom has requested a Major Disaster Declaration to provide federal support for residents impacted by storms and floods. Thanks to the more than 800 concerned community members that signed our request, and the more than 200 personal comments sharing your hearts with the community Pajaro as well those who had suffered personal losses.You can continue to use your voice to urge the President to grant the governor's request to release desperately needed support to the people of Pajaro as well as across the state. Use the following updated link to show your support for federal action with President Biden, Governor Newsom and local representatives: communitybridges.salsalabs.org/pajarorecoveryaction#StrongerTogether #pajarostrong #PeoplePower ... See MoreSee Less
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A community united can never be divided.We want to acknowledge the dozens of nonprofit and community leaders who signed a letter asking that Gov. Gavin Newsom provide emergency aid to Pajaro Valley residents who have lost so much.Earlier today, the governor officially requested President Joe Biden make FEMA individual assistance available for various California counties impacted by the recent spring storms, including Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. This is excellent news, but more needs to be done.We urge the president to grant this request and for the governor to make state assistance available for Pajaro Valley residents who will not qualify for federal aid because of documentation status.You can continue to advocate for an equitable recovery for the Pajaro Valley here: bit.ly/42DWU9s ... See MoreSee Less
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El camino hacia la recuperación ha comenzado para muchas familias afectadas por las inundaciones en el Valle de Pájaro. Para algunos, esto llevará semanas. Para otros, esto llevará años.Community Bridges y sus socios comunitarios, incluida la Junta de Acción Comunitaria del Condado de Santa Cruz, Caridades Católicas, Monarch Services y Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance, están aquí para ayudar.Los grupos comunitarios ya han distribuido más de $600,000 en asistencia directa a las familias de Pajaro Valley, y ahora tenemos un plan de tres olas para continuar apoyando su recuperación.Agradecemos a la Fundación Comunitaria del Condado de Santa Cruz y a la Fundación Comunitaria del Condado de Monterey por patrocinar este esfuerzo y por su continuo apoyo al Valle de Pájaro durante este momento difícil.Lea sobre el plan de recuperación de tres olas en este artículo de opinión colaborativo en el Santa Cruz Sentinel: www.santacruzsentinel.com/2023/03/27/guest-commentary-pajaro-floods-community-groups-step-up /¿Necesita servicios de gestión de casos de desastres a largo plazo? Comuníquese con Recursos Comunitarios de La Manzana o Catholic Charities para obtener ayuda.La ManzanaVisita: 521 Main St., Suite Y, WatsonvilleLlame: 831-724-2997Catholic CharitiesLlame: 831-316-9122 ... See MoreSee Less
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The road to recovery has begun for many flood-impacted families in the Pajaro Valley. For some, this will take weeks. For others, this will take years. Community Bridges and its community partners, including the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, Inc., Catholic Charities Monterey, Monarch Services - Servicios Monarca, and Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance, are here to help. Community groups have already distributed more than $750,000 in direct assistance to Pajaro Valley families, and now we have a three-wave plan to continue supporting their recovery.We thank Community Foundation Santa Cruz County and Community Foundation for Monterey County for sponsoring this endeavor and for their ongoing support of the Pajaro Valley during this difficult time. Read about the three-wave recovery plan in this collaborative opinion piece in the Santa Cruz Sentinel: www.santacruzsentinel.com/2023/03/27/guest-commentary-pajaro-floods-community-groups-step-up/In need of long-term disaster case management services? Reach out to La Manzana Community Resources or Catholic Charities for help.La ManzanaVisit: 521 Main St., Suite Y, Watsonville Call: 831-724-2997Catholic CharitiesCall: 831-316-9122 ... See MoreSee Less
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HAPPENING NOW: The Monterey County Board of Supervisors is discussing a temporary eviction moratorium for people impacted by the recent spring storms. The Board will resume its meeting at 10:30am. The Board's agenda and the link to watch along can be found here: monterey.legistar.com/Page.aspx?M=WCommunity Bridges is in full support of the temporary eviction moratorium. It is critical that our local leaders take steps to prevent displacement and relocation in the aftermath of the devastating floods in the Pajaro Valley. ... See MoreSee Less
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