The Irvine Spectrum Rotary recently gave a gift to a local food pantry that brought their years' giving to five thousand dollars! "The club has not only generously given of their dollars" said Ed Ewart, Executive Director of South County Outreach, "the members have been on site all year round handing out turkeys at the holidays, donating back-packs for low-income children and even mopping the pantry floors and painting donation barrels."
$1,500 of the grant was funded by the Rotary District 5320 matching grant foundation chaired by Grant Eagle. This district grant was applied for by Steve Zivolich, the community services donation chair of the Irvine Spectrum Rotary Club Board of Directors. The remainder of the $5,000 donation was made up of donations and fund raising efforts of the Irvine Spectrum Rotary Club membership. In addition to the financial donation, several Rotary members volunteer their time at the South County Outreach food bank including Peggy Slater who also serves on the South County Outreach Board of Directors.
"This is the kind of community partnership that makes a difference in the lives of people" said Ewart. Through the Rotarians generosity, and that of other donors South County Outreach was able to provide 63,714 services to individuals in need last year. Emergency services include groceries and financial assistance but more importantly the agency attempts to provide tools that help people help themselves. Those tools include a Computer Learning Center. where people receive free job skill training and the opportunity to develop a Self Sufficiency Action Plan that helps people take charge of their financial future.
"I want to express our deepest appreciation to the volunteers and donors of the Irvine Spectrum Rotary and Rotary International for their incredible generosity and for giving a "hand up" to people in need with their "hands on" service", said Ed Ewart.
