Grant to Stock South County Food Bank for 2015

South County Outreach has received a $10,000 grant from the S. Mark Taper Foundation to fund the purchase of healthy food for its food pantry. The grant will enable the agency to augment food donations by buying fresh meats, produce, dairy products and additional protein-rich and nutritious food.

The grant will help keep the food pantry stocked throughout 2015 with the items most requested by local families and individuals in need. The fresh vegetables, fruit, milk, cheese and meat will augment the nonperishable items received from food drives and other donations, allowing South County Outreach clients to prepare healthier meals.

“The ability to provide fresh, healthy food to our clients is extremely important and this grant will make a huge difference in the lives of local people,” said South County Outreach Executive Director Lära Fisher. “We are so grateful to the S. Mark Taper Foundation for partnering with us to make 2015 a much brighter year for people in need.”

In 2014 South County Outreach distributed some one million pounds of food through the food pantry, helping to feed local residents who are struggling to get back on their feet. Qualifying agency clients can visit the food pantry once a month to receive enough food for a week.

The S. Mark Taper Foundation is a private family foundation dedicated to enhancing the quality of people’s lives by supporting nonprofit organizations and their work in our communities. It was founded in 1989.

ABOUT SOUTH COUNTY OUTREACH

For the past 25 years, South County Outreach has been providing hunger and homelessness prevention services to low-income individuals and families in crisis. South County Outreach helps the under-employed and the unemployed reach self-sufficiency by providing the following services: food pantry, rapid rehousing, utility and rental assistance, homelessness prevention counseling, computer training and clothing from our Upscale Resale thrift store.

AREAS SERVED

Based in Irvine, South County Outreach serves the communities of Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.

Submitted by South County Outeach