It is in difficult times that our community shows the most resilience and solidarity. CERV proved this by supporting those in the county who help keep our communities fed. Agricultural workers are the backbone of our food system.
The generosity and hard work of the CERV program has allowed 169 team members from Braga Ranch and Al Pak Labor to receive financial assistance in a time of great need. This financial assistance was the result of CERV being awarded a $50,000 grant from the Monterey County Storm Relief Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMCO). CERV collaborated with Laurel Lee-Alexander (CFMCO), Colby Pereira and Laura Penera (Braga Fresh Farms to identify 169 families and distribute $300 checks. The checks were handed out January 27, 2023, less than one week after receiving the grant money.
The recent, unprecedented storms caused many of our field employees to lose income due to unworkable conditions due to severe weather. As some of the hardest working individuals we know, this was not an easy time for many field crews. The financial assistance they received from CERV helped keep these employees and their families fed, and as most commented, they would use these funds for groceries.
