Press Releases
Gonzales Community Presbyterian Church “Una Mesa” Food Pantry Chosen as California Association of Nonprofits 2020 Nonprofit of the Year
Nonprofit was Selected by Senator Anna Caballero
The Gonzales Community Presbyterian Church "Una Mesa" Food Pantry is proud to announce it has been selected as a California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits) 2020 Nonprofit of the Year by State Senator Anna Caballero.
Community Presbyterian Church "Una Mesa" Food Pantry is one of over a hundred nonprofits that is being honored (virtually) by state senators and assembly members for their tremendous contributions to the communities they serve.
The Food Pantry (Una Mesa) started as a ministry project by Gonzales resident, Mayme Kulper almost 30 year ago. Throughout the years the program has evolved, and in 2014 the pantry obtained nonprofit status and became an official distribution site for the Food Bank for Monterey County.
Before Covid-19 the pantry was serving 65-100 families and 35 seniors three times per month. In March 2020, the pantry quickly saw the need transition from monthly to weekly distribution. In May the pantry's numbers reflected an increased community need of 417% and in June a 350% increase over the previous year.
"Our food pantry volunteers have done an amazing job reaching deeper into the community network to be able to feed all who are in need. We are deeply humbled to be recognized as a Nonprofit of the Year by Senator Caballero," states Sarah Sarmento, Food Pantry Program Coordinator.
The Gonzales Community Presbyterian Church Food Pantry's main objective is to provide outreach to the community through the collection and distribution of food to individuals in urgent need. Pantry staff and volunteer teams engage in intense coordination with the City of Gonzales, the food bank, the city's public works support team, and Taylor Farms to provides assistance in ways that extend hospitality, and respect persons, their circumstances, and needs.
"The pandemic and shelter-in-place orders of the last few months have put nonprofits – usually hidden in plain sight – in the spotlight," explains Jan Masaoka, CEO of the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits). "California Nonprofit of the Year is an opportunity for our elected officials to celebrate the good work they see nonprofits doing in their districts, and for everyone to appreciate the collective impact of nonprofits in our communities."
The Nonprofit of the Year Award is given annually. The traditional celebration luncheon held in Sacramento to honor the nonprofits was canceled this year due to the Shelter-in-Place order.
About City of Gonzales
The city of Gonzales, California is located in Monterey County. The quaint and culturally diverse community of approximately 9,000 people is in the heart of the Salinas Valley’s agricultural and wine region. Gonzales is an established regional leader in agricultural-technology and innovation, environmental awareness and sustainable practices. Gonzales is home to companies such as HealthySoil, which manufactures products to improve agricultural crop production; Converted Organics, a natural fertilizer company; Taylor Farms, a fresh vegetable production facility, Mann Packing/Del Monte Fresh, a leading supplier of fresh cut vegetables; Ramsay Highlander, an innovator, designer and manufacturer of technologically-advanced harvesting equipment; Papé Equipment Handling, Braga Fresh, Green Valley Farm Supply, Tessemae’s, American Bioscience, Caraccioli Cellars, and Constellation Brands, an international producer and marketer of beer, wine and spirits.