NBC4 Southern California, in partnership with The NBCUniversal Foundation, awarded $200,000 in grants to three local nonprofit organizations through its 21st Century Solutions program. In its third year, the competitive grant program encourages nonprofit organizations to move people and communities forward in new and innovative ways.
The NBC4 awardees are: Family Service Association, which received $100,000, and Food Forward and the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, were awarded $50,000 each.
Family Service Association received $100,000 for its “MOBILE FRESH” program, which operates a health food grocery store on-wheels. The grant will expand its reach to 1,300 people a month in food desert communities of rural Riverside and San Bernardino counties. “Creating access to affordable and nutritious produce and basic staple foods improves the health and wellbeing of thousands of Inland Empire residents,” said Dom Betro, CEO, Family Service Association.
Food Forward was awarded $50,000 for its “Farmers Market Recovery Program,” which collects unsold produce from farmers markets and donates the food to hunger-relief charities. The grant will increase its reach to 600,000 people. "This incredible award is an exciting validation of the work Food Forward and our devoted volunteers have been doing to harvest food, fight hunger and build community across Southern California,” said Forward Forward Founder and CEO Rick Nahmias.
The Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF) received $50,000 for its "Asset Building" program, helping low-income families learn about the basics of finances and creating a pathway into financial stability. MAOF CEO Martin Castro said, “This grant will allow us to deliver our Asset Building services to 2,300 low to moderate income Latino families who will learn basic financial literacy. The grant will go a long way in empowering our Latino community to become self-sufficient and achieve the American Dream.”
Thirty grants, totaling $1.2 million are being awarded in 10 of the markets served by the NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Francisco Bay Area, Washington, D.C., South Florida, San Diego and Connecticut. One winning organization and two runners-up are awarded in each market.
To learn more about 21st Century Solutions, click here.
