PVSP donates $11,000 to help families in need
By Lt. Michael Harris
When the request to help support local charities were made, the Pleasant Valley State Prison Community Resource office proposed a food fundraiser with the incarcerated population.
With the full support of the Executive Staff and acting Warden Ron Godwin, the goal was to help those in need.
Facilitating the institution-wide event, Community Resource Manager Jeanette Bragg reached out to the city of Coalinga to identify two local charities.
The first is Herb’s Soup Kitchen, which operates out of Chapel Grace Church to provide meals to those who are food insecure. As part of the larger church community in Coalinga, each denomination alternates cooking and serving those in need through the soup kitchen.
Thanks to those at Pleasant Valley, they donated $5,508 to Herb’s Soup Kitchen. Pastor Jarrod Warren and the volunteers at Chapel Grace were grateful to receive.
The second charity supports the annual Coalinga Christmas Gift Program, spearheaded by Coalinga City Manager Marissa Trejo. The program provides gifts for children in need within the community. The children range in age from newborn to 17.
Each registered child receives a new jacket, pair of shoes, socks and a toy.
“It’s a labor of love and community but one that requires the help from many volunteers within City Hall, the larger Coalinga community, as well as donations from its citizens. With the generous donation of $5,508.00 from the PVSP inmates, the Annual Christmas Gift Program will be able to expand its program and insure that every child in need will have a gift for the holiday,” said Trejo.
Learn more about Chapel Grace.
To help with Coalinga’s gift program, make checks payable to the City of Coalinga, Attn: City Manager Marissa Trejo, 155 W. Durian Ave., Coalinga, CA, 93210. Note: 2020 Christmas Gift Program in the memo line.
SATF donates $1,100 for families in need
By Lt. Brent Urban
The Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison’s incarcerated population and staff took the initiative to help families in need during the holidays.
Together, they raised $1,108.91 to donate to Corcoran Emergency Aid’s Operation Gobble. The funds were raised through a food sale.
Operation Gobble provides Thanksgiving meals to families in need.