Friendly Mart Tackles Food Insecurity with Corporate Support: Goya Cares Makes a Generous Donation
A Fresh Approach to Food Distribution with Dignity and Choice
In October, Friendly Center introduced a game-changing initiative to fight food insecurity with the launch of Friendly Mart, a self-choice mini-mart designed to empower families by giving them the freedom to choose the items they need. Unlike traditional food banks, which often require long wait times and offer limited options, Friendly Mart allows families to shop by appointment, ensuring they receive the food that best fits their needs and cultural preferences.
A Growing Need: The Impact of Friendly Mart in Its First Month
The response from the community has been incredible. In just one month of operation, Friendly Mart provided food to 2,427 people from 642 families, including nearly 1,000 children. That’s a 123% increase in the number of people served compared to September, where we reached 1,088 individuals across 252 families. This surge in demand is a clear indicator of the growing need for flexible, dignified food assistance solutions.
Welcoming Goya Cares: A New Corporate Supporter Making an Immediate Impact
Amid this rising demand, we’re thrilled to announce a generous donation from Goya Cares, which stepped in with a substantial and timely donation this November. Goya’s support has enabled us to stock our shelves with a wider range of culturally relevant foods, resonating with the predominantly Latino families we serve. As the holiday season approaches, these familiar food items bring comfort and joy to families facing difficult times.
The iconic phrase, “If it’s Goya, it has to be good,” takes on new meaning here. Goya’s generosity extends beyond the products themselves—it’s a commitment to uplifting families and ensuring they have access to foods that bring a sense of home during the holidays.
The Power of Corporate and Community Partnerships
The success of Friendly Mart would not be possible without the collaboration of our long-standing partners alongside new supporters like Goya. Here’s how our key partnerships are helping us meet the needs of our community:
- Second Harvest Food Bank: For over 40 years, Second Harvest has been a cornerstone of our food distribution efforts, ensuring a steady supply of nutritious staples.
- States Logistics: Providing essential logistics support, States Logistics ensures that food is transported and stored efficiently, allowing us to keep up with rising demand at Friendly Mart.
- Local Churches, Organizations, and Individual Donors: The unwavering support from local churches, community organizations, and countless individual donors enables us to meet immediate needs. Their contributions through food drives, financial donations, and volunteer efforts are vital to keeping our shelves stocked.
Why Corporate Support Matters Now More Than Ever
With demand for food assistance surging by over 120%, corporate and community partnerships are more crucial than ever. Support from Goya, Second Harvest, States Logistics, and others ensures that we can:
- Maintain Consistent Operations: Keep our shelves stocked to meet the growing needs of families, especially during the holidays.
- Offer Culturally Relevant Foods: Providing families with foods that fit their cultural preferences enhances their dignity and well-being.
- Empower Families with Choice: Giving families the ability to choose their own items reinforces our commitment to providing assistance with respect and dignity.
How Your Organization Can Get Involved
We’re calling on more corporations, churches, community groups, and individuals to join us in this mission. Here’s how you can make a difference:
- Product Donations: Contributions of culturally relevant foods and household essentials help us serve more families.
- Financial Support: Your monetary donations cover operational costs and allow us to purchase high-demand items.
- Employee Engagement: Encourage your team to volunteer at Friendly Mart, fostering community engagement and social responsibility.
Support Families This Holiday Season
As we enter the holiday season, the need for food, stability, and hope continues to grow. By partnering with Friendly Center, your organization can help us bring comfort and relief to families facing uncertainty. Together, we can make a lasting impact.
To learn more about how your company can support Friendly Mart, please contact us:
Phone: 714-771-5300 ext134
Email: steve@friendlycenter.org
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Supporters
The success of Friendly Mart is a testament to the power of collaboration. We extend our deepest gratitude to Goya, Second Harvest Food Bank, States Logistics, local churches, community organizations, and all the individuals who have stepped up to support us. Your generosity is transforming lives, and we’re excited to welcome new partners to join us in this mission.
About Friendly Center
For over 100 years, Friendly Center has been committed to breaking the cycle of generational poverty in Orange County. Through programs focused on food security, education, and family support, we are dedicated to providing stability, opportunity, and hope to children and families in need.