Holiday Fund nets nearly $20,000 for 4 Pacifica groups

“We invest in building community voice and power; grow the culture and practice of effective philanthropy; and ensure we act as a trusted partner when help is needed,” the Silicon Valley Community Foundation webpage states. The foundation has been around since 2007 to build relationships in the community and connect people with resources.

One of the groups receiving the donations, Pacificans Care, was founded in 1982 and aims to help their community through a variety of programs like emergency housing, elderly and child care programs and Meals on Wheels. The donations it receives will help keep the organization running and fill in any gaps in funding and help out the community.

“Meals on Wheels programs started 30 or 40 years ago, and we've been supporting that program every year. So those funds will go to the seniors’ Meals on Wheels program to help support that. And they have a summer child care program. And we have always supported what we call a summer enrichment program, and so there's a whole series of field trips and activities,” said Ginny Jaquith, president of Pacificans Care.

Pacificans Care also helps out some of the other programs that are a part of the Holiday Fund.

“The Pacifica Youth Services Bureau and the Pacifica Resource Center get funds from other organizations. And those funds are often earmarked for very specific programs, so they can't be utilized for other kinds of things. The funds we give them provide additional funds in those areas that may be needed,” Jaquith explained.

Another group receiving a portion of the donations is the Pacific Beach Coalition. The coalition organizes monthly beach cleanups and partners with local schools to help teach students about ocean life. The coalition has also won several awards for its efforts and hopes to expand to other beaches in the Bay Area.

“We work really hard to just try to make sure there’s no litter and stop pollution and raise awareness and get people to change their behaviors. This donation is a real vote of confidence in our work and it means we are valued by the community and want to support what we're doing and we really appreciate that,” said Lynn Adams, coalition president.

The funds are also sent to the Pacifica Resource Center, which helps residents with groceries, rent and mortgage assistance, school programs, homelessness and tax preparation to name a few. Finally, the Pacifica Youth Services Bureau will also receive a portion that will help them continue to help younger residents of Pacifica with counseling services and support some of their other programs like the Juvenile Justice Diversion and Girls United.