To help with the unexpected new demands and challenges created by the coronavirus, EngAGE has been awarded a $60,000 grant from Bank of America to continue its services during this difficult time. Tim Carpenter, CEO/Founder of EngAGE responded to the news: “We are so grateful for the continued and long-time support of Bank of America for our work.”
In accordance with public health advice, EngAGE made the difficult decision to pause our regular in-person programming and postpone large events until further notice. To respond to this situation, we are now providing essential food programs with necessary delivery modifications, shifting all other programming (including some large events) to virtual platforms whenever possible, and making sure that programming is easily accessible.
Our Engage in Wellness program provides onsite delivery of several hundred tons of free food each month to 1,000 low-income seniors living in 36 affordable apartment communities in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties in Southern California. The Wellness Program trucks pick up the food, take it to central locations, and parcel it into carriable packages that can be handled easily by our senior residents and used to sustain them each month.
“The virus has created tremendous demand on our food supply, especially for our most vulnerable households such as seniors. But economic recovery depends on food stability, so together with resourceful nonprofits like EngAGE, the private sector is working to help address these new challenges,” said Raul A. Anaya, Bank of America market president for Greater Los Angeles.
Building community is at the core of everything we do at EngAGE. This is even more important as people navigate these difficult circumstances, and cope with fear and anxiety. The generous grant from Bank of America helps ensure that we will be able to continue to serve the particularly vulnerable population that is relying on us.
