Lions Club of Union City Donates $5,000 to Help Local Families

The Lions Club of Union City, serving Union City since 1963, recognizes the dire situation of the community, including record unemployment and the resulting financial crisis facing many residents due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, Union City Lions has made a $5,000 donation to Centro de Servicios to help Centro continue its important work of providing nutrition and basic human needs for residents of Union City and neighboring communities.

Established in 1974, Centro de Servicios is the oldest not-for-profit, social service agency in Alameda County’s Tri-City Area. Centro is a key provider of social services to low-income residents of Union City and neighboring cities. The Union City Lions Club and Centro have a long history of working together as the Union City Lions helped build the original Centro food pantry building and is a long-time supporter.

“Our community is facing extraordinary challenges in this pandemic and we need to support agencies that help people in need. Centro is a vital safety net for those most impacted by the current economic crisis,” stated Lion Greg Stewart, Interim (and former) Lion Club President.

Commented Jaime Jaramillo, Executive Director, Centro de Servicios, “Centro is thankful and honored to receive this assistance as we support the community through the COVID-19 crisis. We have seen an over twofold increase in need for food assistance since this crisis began. We greatly appreciate the help of Union City Lions.”

Union City Lions Club encourages other organizations, businesses and individuals that have the means to find organizations, such as Centro, to support. “Union City Lions will continue to support the community and we encourage other organization to join us. We also welcome new community members to join our service club to aid our community. Please visit our website for more information.”

Lions Club International is also working to support those in need. “Great challenges test us, but they also bring us together. Lions are finding new ways to safely serve. Our Lions Clubs International Foundation has granted over one million dollars to help communities facing extreme rates of COVID-19, and additional grant requests are being received daily. Our communities depend on service clubs, and we will be there, supporting and strengthening them together.” – Dr. Jung-Yul Choi, Lions Clubs International President, 2019- 2020.