Kaiser Permanente provides support in Monterey County

Salinas, Calif., Feb. 2, 2023 – Through partnerships with community-based organizations across Monterey County, Kaiser Permanente Northern California is investing $450,000 in programs that increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables for low-income residents, provide shelter and recuperative care for people experiencing homelessness, and offer individuals and families other supportive services.

The grants include $50,000 to the Food Bank for Monterey County and another $50,000 to Community Homeless Solutions. Other organizations receiving funding include:

• $25,000 to Community Housing Improvement Systems and Planning Association (CHISPA)
• $25,000 to Community Human Services
• $25,000 to Everyone’s Harvest
• $50,000 to First 5 Monterey County
• $25,000 to Rancho Cielo
• $25,000 to the United Way of Monterey County
• $25,000 to the Center for Community Advocacy
• $50,000 to the Action Council of Monterey County, Inc.
• $100,000 to the Monterey County Family Justice Center

“Part of Kaiser Permanente’s mission is to improve the health of the communities we serve, and these investments will provide access to much-needed services for some of our most vulnerable residents in Monterey County,” said Irene Chavez, senior vice president and area manager for Kaiser Permanente Central Coast. “By supporting our community partners, we are increasing access to stable housing, healthy food, and other supportive services, which are critical to improving the health and wellness of our community.”

The Food Bank for Monterey County will use the Kaiser Permanente funding to support its mobile produce truck, which will visit under-resourced school districts in Monterey County. The truck provides families with fresh fruits and vegetables sourced from local BIPOC and first-generation farmers who helped the food bank increase produce supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic when donations declined by 58%.

The Food Bank currently serves 1 in 3 children and 1 in 4 adults in the county. Most don’t have access to fresh fruits and vegetables due to a lack of transportation, geography limitations, and financial challenges.

“We know how important it is to bring healthy, nutritious food directly to families in need,” said Melissa Kendrick, executive director of the Food Bank for Monterey County. “There are still many adults and children in our community who are dealing with food insecurity, and we know this partnership with Kaiser Permanente will help fill a huge need.”

Kaiser Permanente is also partnering with Community Homeless Solutions, which provides housing, shelter, and support services to adults and families experiencing homelessness. The $50,000 Kaiser Permanente grant will support the Central Coast Respite Center. The center serves homeless adults discharged from local hospitals who still require ongoing medical care.

The Kaiser Permanente funding will cover a case manager housing navigator who will provide essential supportive services and help place participants into stable, permanent housing. The case manager will also work with participants to identify their needs related to health, income, and social services and will develop an individualized housing and service plan.

“We are so grateful for this support from Kaiser Permanente, which will help so many in our community who are struggling to find safe, affordable housing,” said Greg Baker, executive director of Community Housing Solutions. “We know the lack of stable housing can make it difficult for people to recover physically and mentally, and we hope this support will enable individuals in our community to lead heathier, longer lives.”