Fresno EOC Takes Action to Help Struggling Families

Recently, Fresno EOC sprang into action, and developed a one-time direct cash assistance program (in the form of gift cards), to help meet emergency needs for families in 12 cities and 49 zip codes throughout Fresno, Madera, and Kings Counties. With a $293,500 investment from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) funding and an extremely tight deadline for distribution efforts, Fresno EOC distributed grocery gift cards valued at $250 to 1,174 households. And it all came together within a 30-day period.

This has to be a blessing at the right time. You don’t know how needed this is. I am so thankful. Thank you so much. – Geraldine Sims, Foster Grandparent Program Volunteer

Those who received the gift cards say they have had a significant impact. Fresno EOC Energy Services Client, Maria Talavera explained, “With the help of the $250 grocery card supplied by Fresno EOC, I didn’t have to decide between paying the bills or buying groceries this month.”

Foster Grandparent Program Volunteer Geraldine Sims said, “This has to be a blessing at the right time. You don’t know how needed this is. I am so thankful. Thank you so much.”

Another recipient, a parent of a student at Fresno EOC SOUL Charter High School said, “Getting the food card in August was extremely helpful to me. Normally, I would go to the free food pantries due to not being able to afford to always buy food especially since I don’t qualify for cash aid or food stamps. I live in a household with 2 families, 9 of them being under 17, with me being the main provider. It gets rough by myself, and anything helps.”

To be eligible for service benefit, Fresno EOC clients had to be at or below 200% of the federal poverty line as determined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB), based on the most recent federal Census data by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Clients also had to declare they were COVID-19 impacted.