September 1, 2023
Local News for a Global Village | www.VoiceSB.com
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Foodbank of SB County Sends Support to Maui
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MMEDIATELY RESPONDING IN THE FACE OF CRISIS, the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County has sent 17,000 pounds of rice to Maui in the aftermath of the catastrophic fire that recently decimated the historic town of Lahaina. The shipment, which was sent from Santa Maria on August 29th, is part of a response coordinated through Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks,
food pantries, and meal programs. Feeding America has spearheaded food shipments across its network of 200 food banks, with 26 containers of supplies from food banks and food pantries shipped out the last week alone. All items will support the many victims who have been displaced by the Maui fire. “Providing mutual aid to Feeding America partner food banks is a crucial part of the work we do towards
our Foodbank being fully prepared for responding to all disasters,” said Paul Wilkins, the Foodbank’s Chief Operating Officer. “As it is during times of disasters that impact our county, these supplies will arrive in time to assist the displaced neighbors of Lahaina’s community to support them as they move forward towards recovery and towards rebuilding the homes they have lost.” To learn more or donate to the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, visit www.foodbanksbc.org
Community Invited to Apply for Cultural Arts Grant Application workshops to be held this month
One805 Receives $250,000 in Support from Direct Relief and Yardi Systems
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LOSE TO $250,000 IN GRANT FUNDING is now available for local organizations through the City of Santa Barbara’s annual Cultural Arts Grants, which is accepting applications now through Friday, September 22nd. An application workshop will be held from 12 to 1pm on Friday, September 8th at the David Gebhard Public Meeting Room, 630 Garden Street. A virtual workshop will take place at 4pm on Thursday, September 14th.
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EEKS AWAY FROM ITS FUNDRAISING CONCERT, local nonprofit One805 is celebrating two separate donations that will support its ongoing mission to provide mental health services to local first responders: a $150,000 gift from Direct Relief, and a $100,000 donation from Yardi Systems.
The grants are divided among three program areas: Community Arts, Organizational Development, and Community Events and Festivals. These areas have the goals of providing arts access and services for underserved communities, supporting diverse nonprofits, and promoting events that enhance economic and community vitality. Specific details about each grant’s parameters and maximum funding requests, which range from $6,000 to $18,000, are available online.
Launched after the Thomas Fire and 2018 Montecito debris flow, One805 is committed to ensuring first responders have access to key mental health resources year-round, not only in the midst of local natural disasters. “Direct Relief has responded to thousands of emergencies around the globe in our 75 years of existence and is deeply committed to doing everything we can to support first responders in the town that we live in,” said Thomas Tighe, President and CEO of Direct Relief. “It is our privilege to work with One805 to strengthen assistance to our hometown heroes.”
Applicants must have nonprofit 501c3 status or a nonprofit fiscal sponsor and attend a mandatory informational workshop. Applications will be reviewed by the City’s Arts Advisory Committee and Community Events & Festivals Committee, with funding recommendations submitted for City Council approval. Grant administration is overseen by the County Office of Arts and Culture. To apply or learn more about the application process visit https://www.sbac.ca.gov/city-grants
Cottage Health Presented $65 Million Donation from Mary and Richard Compton
In 2023, One805 has distributed approximately $240,000 in grants to first responders in Santa Barbara County, supporting resources such as mass casualty first aid kits, Rosetta Stone language training, ocean recovery dive masks, and $144,000 toward Santa Barbara County Fire’s counseling program.
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“For over 40 years, Yardi has been committed to supporting the communities in which it operates,” said Yardi’s Senior Vice President and General Counsel Arnie Brier. “With this donation, we are investing in the health and mental well-being of our First Responders to help keep departments fit and fully staffed in our local area.”
“The Comptons’ generosity and commitment to the health of our community is extraordinary,” said Ron Werft, President and CEO of Cottage Health. “This transformational gift and crucial investment in our future allows us to identify and contribute to emerging medical technologies and research for the benefit of our patients and community.”
The One805LIVE! fundraising concert, headlined by Maroon 5, will take place on Friday, September 22nd, with all proceeds donated to One805. To learn more visit www.one805.org
N A HISTORIC DISPLAY OF SUPPORT from devoted community members, philanthropists Mary and Richard Compton have given a total of $65 million to the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation. Having pledged a $15 million gift, the couple’s additional $50 million gift is the largest single gift in the hospital’s history.
The gift will create and name the Compton Center for Medical Excellence and Innovation at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. The center will unite leading clinicians, educators, and research investigators working on clinical and operational advancements in healthcare. Both Cottage experts and community collaborators will receive help in accelerating new projects addressing our community’s health.
Mary and Richard Compton are longstanding supporters of Cottage Health. Previously, they have made the lead gift to the hospital’s Reaching Higher Together Campaign inspired other donors, and the hospital’s newest patient pavilion was named after them. The Mary and Richard Compton Endowment Fund for Medical Excellence and Innovation will support ongoing innovation, attracting leading medical talent and helping the entire Santa Barbara community. “When people ask how we chose Cottage for this gift,” explained Mary Compton, “The spark came from our friends – some are doctors and nurses – who work or have worked at Cottage. They are some of the brightest and best people you’ll ever meet. And we thought if Cottage recognizes the importance of having such quality people, it must be a forward-looking institution.” www.cottagehealth.org