Kaiser awards $75K to Second Harvest
WATSONVILLE — Kaiser Permanente has awarded $1.3 million in grants to community groups across Northern California, including $75,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County, to bring healthy food to the homeless and others in need during the upcoming holidays.
Second Harvest will use its $75,000 grant to deploy extra staff working to reduce the fear and stigma around signing up the homeless and needy for federal food assistance.
“Kaiser Permanente is happy to provide these grants in time for the holiday season,” said Yvette Radford, vice president of external and community affairs for Kaiser Permanente Northern California.
Fifteen community groups received grants ranging from $75,000 to $98,000. The grants are focused on enhancing the quality of outreach to people who are eligible for CalFresh, California’s Supplemental Nutrition Program, or food stamps.
An estimated 2.5 million Californians who are eligible for CalFresh aren’t enrolled. Radford said that when developing the guidelines for the grants, her staff reached out to several community organizations to find out why.
“What we heard most often is that the application process is a barrier, as is the stigma associated with needing public assistance in the first place,” Radford said. “Increasingly, immigrant communities fear that applying for the benefit could affect their immigration status.”
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Boardwalk inks deal with Coca-Cola
SANTA CRUZ — The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk announced a new multi-year agreement with Coca-Cola.
Effective Jan. 2, Coca-Cola will become the amusement park’s official beverage sponsor, providing all fountain and bottled beverages throughout the park. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has previously worked with PepsiCo. since 1987.
“Coca-Cola is a leader in the amusement and attractions industry,” said Marq Lipton, vice president of sales and marketing for the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. “We’re excited to partner with an organization as experienced, knowledgable and innovative as Coca-Cola. We are certain that our guests will appreciate and enjoy Coca-Cola’s diverse beverage offerings.”
The agreement with Coca-Cola includes all non-alcoholic beverages, new park promotions to be announced, and other marketing opportunities. Coca-Cola sparkling and still beverages will be available at restaurants, dining services, mobile carts and vending areas throughout the park.
“Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is an iconic amusement and entertainment venue committed to delivering the best brands to visitors,” said Damian Marano, vice president of area sales for Coca-Cola North America. “We look forward to leveraging our joint sustainability activities and brands to inspire and refresh Boardwalk customers through unique, value-added programs.”
Coca-Cola will assume sponsorship of the Boardwalk’s summer discounts on Wednesday and Thursday nights. Redemption details for “Coca-Cola Nights” will be announced in the spring.
