Modesto, Calif. — The Save Mart Companies’ C.A.R.E.S. Foundation is pleased to announce that eighteen organizations throughout California and Northern Nevada received over $140,000 Q2 grants, all in communities our stores serve.

Gallo Center for the Arts – $25,000
The Gallo Center for the Arts is a state-of-the-art performing arts complex in downtown Modesto that focuses on arts, entertainment, multicultural programming and social activities for the Central Valley. The center has received similar grants in the past and this year’s fund will go toward aiding the Pathways to Creativity program. The Pathways to Creativity program offers educational curriculum that promotes creative learning through cultural diversity and intellectual excellence.

Modesto Neighborhood, Inc.- La Loma Neighborhood – $15,000
Modesto Neighborhoods, Inc. is dedicated to connecting neighbors and neighborhoods together to help builds community & shared stories in Modesto neighborhoods. Modesto Neighborhoods, Inc. is a first time recipient and the $15,000 C.A.R.E.S. Foundation grant will go towards La Loma Neighborhood’s East La Loma Park Project. The East La Loma Park Project aims to build a play structure at East La Loma Park where children and the community can enjoy.

Society of disABILITIES – $5,000
For the past 70 years, the Society for disABILITIES has enhanced the quality of life for people with disabilities in the Central Valley. The Society provides recreational programs that include adapted snow skiing, water skiing, bike camp, a Day on the Farm, bowling, soccer, and a prom. The C.A.R.E.S. Foundation has awarded the Society similar grants in the past and this year’s funds will go towards the Winter Ski Unlimited program. Winter Ski Unlimited offers people with disabilities the opportunity to experience the sport of snow skiing.

Central Valley 49ers Youth Football & Cheer – $2,500
The Central Valley 49ers Youth Football & Cheer provides youth a structured, safe and fun after school program with hands-on activities and mentoring. Children learn the proper techniques of football and cheer as well as how to function and work as a team. The C.A.R.E.S. Foundation has awarded similar grants in the past and this year’s fund will go towards scholarships to help low-income youth participate in the program.

Oak Valley Youth Garden – $2,500
Located in the middle of the Central Valley, Oak Valley Youth Garden (OVYG) is a free program aimed at teaching children to love gardening, the outdoors, and serving their community. OVYG is the only free garden education program for youth in the region and all produce grown is donated to local food pantries. The C.A.R.E.S. Foundation awarded OVYG a $2,500 grant for the development of their new Studio Joy Garden, a one-acre youth and community garden.

Assistance League of Stockton, Inc. – $2,000
Assistance League of Stockton, Inc is an all-volunteer organization that is dedicated to transforming lives and strengthening our community through philanthropic programs. This year’s $2,000 C.A.R.E.S. Foundation grant will go towards the Operation School Bell program. Operation School Bell offers brand new clothing to underprivileged Stockton Unified elementary school children.

Lodi Boys & Girls Club – $5,000
The Lodi Boys & Girls Club is a place designed solely for youth programs and activities. The Club is open every day, after school, when kids have free time and need positive, productive outlets. This $5,000 C.A.R.E.S. Foundation grant will go towards their Triple Play program. Triple Play is a comprehensive health and wellness program that strives to improve the overall health of Club members between the ages of 6 and 18 by increasing daily physical activity, teaching them about good nutrition and helping develop healthy relationships.

Sacramento Loaves & Fishes, Inc. – $5,000
Sacramento Loaves & Fishes is a non-profit organization providing service in a spirit of love, hospitality and generosity to all those who come for assistance. Loaves & Fishes is dedicated to set out the needs of Sacramento’s homeless population. This $5,000 C.A.R.E.S. Foundation grant will be used for their Dining Room services that helps provide nutritious, hearty lunchtime meals 364 days a year for hundreds of homeless men, women, and children.

Women’s Empowerment – $30,000
Women’s Empowerment is dedicated to ending homelessness one woman, one family, at a time. Women’s Empowerment educates and empowers homeless women through programs that help build the necessary skills and confidence to get employment, maintain a healthy lifestyle and help regain a home for themselves and their children. Women’s Empowerment has received similar grants from the C.A.R.E.S. Foundation and this year funds will go towards service and program funds.

Porterville Strings – $5,000
Porterville Strings strives to provide a diverse, well-rounded program that cultivates the ability for students to lead successful lives through a sincere passion for music. The C.A.R.E.S. Foundation has awarded similar grants to the Porterville Strings for the Summer Music Camp in the past and will continue its support for the fine arts. This year’s $5,000 grant will go towards Porterville Summer Strings program to offset the program costs.

Partners in English Language Learning – $1,000
Partners in English Language Learning (PiELL) helps English language learners become thriving members of their communities by offering one-on-one language tutoring and help build bridges that foster cross-cultural respect, understanding and friendship. PiELL has received similar C.A.R.E.S. Foundation grants over the past several years. This year’s $1,000 grant will continue to support PiELL’s outreach efforts to prospective students and tutors to obtain quality and up-to-date training materials for their library.

Hospitality House – $5,000
Hospitality House is a community shelter serving homeless Nevada County residents. The year-round shelter is a safe haven; those seeking shelter at Hospitality House are offered three meals, along with laundry and shower facilities. Hospitality House is committed to ending homelessness by providing intensive case management services to all its guests. Hospitality House is a new C.A.R.E.S. Foundation grant recipient and this $5,000 will go towards their Emergency Shelter and wrap-around services.

Care Fresno – $5,000
Care Fresno strives to give back to the community through services that improve the physical, mental, emotional and cognitive development for Fresno youth. Last year, Care Fresno received a similar C.A.R.E.S. Foundation grant and this year’s $5,000 will go towards their Our Community Cares About Youth program that is designed to keep youth off the streets and provide them with a safe place to hon their abilities, gain self-esteem and build community trust for future success.

Break the Barriers – $10,000
Break The Barriers is dedicated to accelerating awareness, understanding, acceptance and education for all people with various abilities through integrated sports, health and fitness, performing arts and aquatics programs. The organization values each person equally, recognizing that we all have abilities and disabilities. By collaborating their efforts, Break the Barriers works to ensure that every child and adult achieves success. Break the Barriers has received similar C.A.R.E.S. Foundation grants in the past and this year’s funds will go towards their Breaking Barriers for Veterans programs that aims to assist with the rehabilitation of veterans to ensure overall better quality of life.

Fresno State’s Veterans Education Program – $10,000
Fresno State’s Veterans Education Program provides an educational re-entry opportunity for men and women who have served or are currently serving our country. Fresno State Veteran’s program is the only, one of a kind program in the California State University system. Fresno State Veteran’s Education Program is a first time C.A.R.E.S. Foundation grant recipient and the funds will go towards fully funding two student scholarships.

Turn on to America – $1,000
Turn On To America (T.O.T.A.) was founded by a small group of Oakland business professionals dedicated to improving the local community and aim to help anyone who wishes to improve their life. T.O.T.A. has provided, through a variety of programs, food, clothing, toys and shelter for families and individuals. The C.A.R.E.S. Foundation has awarded similar grants to T.O.T.A. in the past and this year’s funds will go towards the Mr. Anthony Program. The Mr. Anthony Program delivers over one million pounds of nutritious food per year to low-income families and individuals in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

Foodbank of Santa Barbara County – $5,000
Foodbank of Santa Barbara County’s mission is to end hunger and transform the health of Santa Barbara County through good nutrition. Through services and programs, Foodbank of Santa Barbara County provides nutritious meals throughout the county to those most in need. The foodbank has received similar C.A.R.E.S. Foundation grants in the past and this year’s $2,000 will go towards funding the Picnic in the Park program. Picnic in the Park program provides free, healthy meals to children in low-income, high-need communities throughout Santa Barbara County.

KNPB – $7,500
KNPB-TV’s Martha Speaks Reading Buddies is a reading program that focuses on early childhood reading comprehension, writing skills and instill confidence and leadership skills in northern Nevada students. Children learn new vocabulary words as they participate in a variety of writing, reading and other activities in conjunction with the show. KNPB has received similar C.A.R.E.S. Foundation grants in the past for Martha Speaks and this year’s funds will continue to support this innovative and cost-effective program.

The Save Mart Companies C.A.R.E.S. Foundation donated over $300,000 in 2018 to over four dozen local organizations throughout California and Northern Nevada. C.A.R.E.S. stands for Community, Arts, Recreation, Education and Sports and focuses on improving lives under these categories. For more information, please visit www.SaveMart.com, under the Community tab.