Los Angeles (March 12, 2018) – The Wonderful Company and its owners, Lynda and Stewart Resnick, have awarded over $375,000 to the 2018 recipients of their flagship grants program, Wonderful Community Grants. These grants reflect the Resnicks’ commitment to giving back in the communities where their employees live and work.

Through location-based investment in the towns of Avenal, Wasco, Sanger and Del Rey, these grants seek to maximize the impact of community organizations by investing in the areas of health and wellness, supporting families, and community beautification. The 2018 Wonderful Community Grants will go to 19 nonprofits for projects and programs that address critical needs in their local communities.  

“As a leading employer in the Central Valley, we are committed to giving back in the places where our employees live and work,” said Emily Kane Miller, Vice President of Philanthropy for The Wonderful Company. “These deserving organizations will provide much-needed programming and services to help improve the lives of area residents.”

Wonderful Community Grants began in 2016 in Avenal and Wasco, and expanded in 2017 to include the Sanger/Del Rey area. Each of the three communities receives up to $150,000, with grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. Applications will be accepted for the next round of grants beginning in August 2018 at  www.wonderfulcommunitygrants.com and awarded by the first quarter of 2019.

The organizations and projects receiving a 2018 grant include:

Avenal

• Champions Recovery Alternative Programs, Inc. ($35,000) – Provide families with case management and family support classes at the new Champions Wellness Center.
• AgSafe ($27,659) – Provide free CPR/First Aid and CPR instructor courses.
• City of Avenal ($16,500) – Fund free computer literacy and small business marketing and development classes at the Avenal Technology Center.
• Young Men’s Initiative ($12,000) – Provide leadership and professional development opportunities for fatherless young men.
• Responsible Athletes Program ($13,000) ­– Provide free cheer programming for middle school aged girls.
• Girl Scouts of Central California South ($8,200) – Offer Girl Scout programming to low income girls through the Girl Scout Connect program.
• First Baptist Church of Avenal ($5,000) – Bring free meals, clothing and personal hygiene products on a referral basis to families in need.

Sanger/Del Rey

• Del Rey Community Services District ($50,000) – Install a shade structure and benches at the community park.
• Community Food Bank ($31,780) – Increase fresh produce distribution through Neighborhood Markets at three sites in Sanger and Del Rey.
• City of Sanger ($20,070) – Provide affordable swim lessons and launch a junior lifeguard program.
• Healthy Smiles Mobile Dental Foundation ($13,520) – Bring a mobile dental clinic to elementary schools in Sanger and Del Rey.
• Community Resident Services, Inc. ($5,000) – Provide healthy snacks and nutrition lessons for the Unity Estates afterschool program.
• Blossom Trail Players ($5,000) – Create a Junior Company to increase performing arts access and outlets for youth.
• Boys and Girls Club ($24,130) – Provide Healthy Habits and Triple Play after school programming at both their Sanger and Del Rey sites.

Wasco

• Wasco Recreation and Parks District ($30,039) – Improve South Gate Park through turf grass and solar lights installation.
• Community Action Partnership of Kern ($30,000) – Increase access to fresh produce through Farmers Market style produce distributions.
• Bakersfield Art Foundation, Inc. ($20,400) – Provide year-long art programming at the Wasco Library through their signature program Museum on the Move.
• Kern County Library, Wasco Branch ($18,100) – Expand library hours to add the first Saturday of the month and increase programming.
• City of Wasco ($12,000) – Promote the Summer Farmers Market and increase access to fresh produce to low income families.
• Girl Scouts of Central California South ($7,972) – Offer Girl Scout programming to low income girls through the Girl Scout Connect program.

About Wonderful Community Grants

The Wonderful Company and its owners, Lynda and Stewart Resnick, have a rich heritage of investing in the communities their employees call home, especially in California’s Central Valley. Through Wonderful Community Grants, The Wonderful Company is investing up to $450,000 annually in the communities of Avenal, Wasco, and Sanger/Del Rey. Area nonprofits, local governments, and faith based organizations can apply for grants in the categories of health and wellness, supporting families and community beautification for amounts between $5,000 and $50,000. Funds are available for program development/expansion, innovation, technology and equipment. More information about Wonderful Community Grants can be found at www.wonderfulcommunitygrants.com.

About The Wonderful Company

The Wonderful Company is a privately held $4 billion global company dedicated to harvesting health and happiness around the world. Its iconic brands include FIJI® Water, POM Wonderful®, Wonderful® Pistachios & Wonderful® Almonds, Wonderful® Halos®, Teleflora®, JUSTIN® Wines and Landmark® Wines.

The Wonderful Company’s connection to consumers has health at its heart and giving back in its DNA. To learn more about The Wonderful Company, its products and core values, visit www.wonderful.com, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.