The Gene Haas Foundation has always cared deeply for children and families, and over the years has given millions of dollars in grants to deserving non-profits that serve the less fortunate. That’s why the Gene Haas foundation was so thrilled with the work Food Share was doing in Ventura County.
Food Share, Its Network, and Its Work
Food Share is the USDA commodity distribution agency for food and funding. It’s no wonder they distribute millions of pounds of food annually.
Food share holds a number of fundraisers throughout the year and collects food from throughout the local area. They then sort and store the food in their large warehouse until it is needed. From its warehouse, Food Share then works in conjunction with the California Association of Food Banks in Kern County to distribute the food out to its network of 155 partner organizations.
The food and personal items are given to those in need though various partners including soup kitchens, student lunch and after school programs, and food banks. They also provide families with special food baskets throughout the year including Christmas food baskets to ensure that everyone can enjoy a traditional family meal.
How the Gene Haas Foundation has Supported Food Share
Food Share has the system in place to access the people in need, but like so many deserving non-profits, one of their biggest issues is budget. Because Food Share is a large non-profit organization and it is used by the American Government to help feed the poor, the organization does have an operating budget. Unfortunately, their tight operating budget depends on several factors regardless of the number of individuals relying on the service. This is where the support of organizations such as the Gene Haas Foundation comes in.
From 2001 to 2008, Mr. Haas and the Gene Haas Foundation supplied Food Share with 11 separate grants totally $63,100. This money will help Food Share pay the wages of its 1,000 member staff, operating expenses, shipping and distribution expenses as well as the purchase of meats and hard to come by items.
The Gene Haas Foundation supports a number of other organizations and charities. In fact, G. Haas’ Foundation has given approximately $8.5 million to more than 800 local, national, and international causes since it began supporting organizations in 2001.
Gene Haas, the founder of Automation, Inc and the Gene Haas Foundation, started the organization in 1999 with the sole purpose of giving back to the community by providing grants to non-profits who help empower those within the community.
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