Sonoma Valley nonprofits awarded relief funding grants

The Wonderful Company has awarded $500,000 in grants to 19 organizations in Sonoma and San Luis Obispo counties as part of the JUSTIN and Landmark Community Grants programs.

The Sonoma Valley grant recipients included:

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley

• La Luz Center

• Redwood Empire Food Bank

• Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Association

• Valley of the Moon Children's Home Foundation

POM Wonderful founder Stewart and Lynda Resnick established a $1 million COVID-19 relief fund in August 2020 to support local programs, services, and resources in California’s Central Valley. In October, the relief fund was expanded by over $500,000 to assist those specifically in the San Luis Obispo and Sonoma counties who have been affected by COVID-19 and the California wildfires. Nonprofit organizations and schools that demonstrate community impact were eligible to apply for funding.

“2020 has been a tough year for all of us,” said recipient Jennifer Weiss, CEO at Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin, in a press release announcing the grants. “Together we’re weathering a global pandemic, distance learning while schools stay closed, multiple fires and evacuations, and deep racial and political divisions. This is certainly a season of hardship for Sonoma County families.”

This year, Wonderful significantly expanded the scope and funding of its existing programs as a part of a proactive and concerted company-wide fight against COVID-19.