Foundation & Six Corporations Join To Fill Food, Shelter, Job, & Health Needs

OAKLAND, OCTOBER 19, 2009 --The East Bay Community Foundation and six socially responsible corporations announced today an effort to provide emergency economic relief in Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano counties.

Participating in the effort along with the Foundation are Bank of America Charitable Foundation,  Kaiser Permanente, Chevron Corporation, OneCalifornia Bank, PG&E,  and Give Something Back.

“This recession and its resulting unemployment and home foreclosures have led to an unprecedented increase in social-service needs,” said Nicole Taylor, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation.  “We are now seeing families affected who have never before relied on the assistance of government agencies or nonprofit organizations.”

The East Bay Community Foundation and the six corporations jointly called on other members of the business community and individuals to get involved as donors and volunteers. 

During the past 12 months, the Foundation and these participants have donated a total of $6.7 million to non-profit organizations providing food, shelter, employment-related services, health services and other support to individuals and families affected by the recession.  The Foundation and the corporations are expected to provide an additional $5.2 million in aid during the coming months and in 2010. 

 “This unique participation of business leaders understands the growing need in all of our East Bay communities and they are generously stepping up to help,” said Taylor.  “This effort is another example of ‘the power of many,’” she said.  “In this instance, the business sector is working together with the philanthropic sector to bring attention to the same problem and to encourage other corporations and the general public to get involved. 

“We’re also pleased that we will be able to immediately provide some grants through our “East Bay Emergency Relief Fund” at the East Bay Community Foundation, which has been seeded by a $250,000 donation from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation,” she said.  “We’re seeking additional participants to collaborate in this Fund, which also accepts contributions of any size from the business community and the general public.”

Bank of America Charitable Foundation presented the East Bay Community Foundation with a check for $250,000 at the press conference held at the Oakland headquarters of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, one of the non-profit organizations receiving a grant through this emergency relief effort.  

Taylor emphasized that the East Bay Community Foundation and all the participants are encouraging other businesses to engage in the effort as well, either through a direct financial contribution, through encouraging their employees to volunteer at emergency relief organizations, or making in-kind donations.

“And we also hope individual members of the public will help, too,” she said. “Anyone can donate to the fund with a quick and secure transaction using their credit card.  “Just go to www.ebcf.kintera.org.   On the drop-down menu labeled “Component Fund,” click the arrow on the right-hand side and choose ‘East Bay Emergency Relief Fund.’  Fill out the rest of the information and then click the ‘Submit’ button.” 

In describing increased needs resulting from the recession, Taylor noted that referrals for food assistance have climbed dramatically, that shelters are seeing more individuals who have run out of unemployment insurance benefits, and that calls to local “211” emergency hotlines are increasing.  

“All of these pressures leave social service agencies with a vastly increased need for the kind of financial support our relief effort provides,” said Taylor.