Fairfield Community Service Foundation 2023 Report

ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2023

BUILDING A STRONGER COMMUNITY TOGETHER! The Fairfield Community Services Foundation improves the lives of Fairfield’s underserved youth, families, and seniors by providing the support and services that give hope. www.ffcsfoundation.org

About the Fairfield Community Service Foundation

Supporting “At Promise” Fairfield Youth & Families

BACKPACK/ FOOD GIVEAWAY Just prior to the start of the school year, the Foundation held a backpack (with school supplies) and food giveaway event. The event was a drivethru and walk-up at Bethel Community Church, located in the lowest income census tract in Fairfield.

A total of 1,341 children and adults attended the event, with 819 backpacks, 425 bags of food and 350 bags of fresh produce distributed. Another 154 backpacks were provided to the Fairfield Police Department and 100 to the FSUSD Family Resource Center for distribution. Touro University provided 16 Tdap vaccinations and 18 COVID-19 vaccinations. Over 70 eye exams were completed by the Fairfield Lion’s Club.

11th Annual Christmas Toy/Winter Coats/Food Giveaway

Our 11th annual toy/coats-for-kids and food drive and giveaway was held on December 16th at Bethel Community Church, as well as special events on Crowley Lane and Dana Drive. Our goal is to ensure low-income children in the community receive at least one new toy for Christmas and they have a warm coat to keep them healthy during the cold winter months and provide food for their families.

Bins were placed in local businesses and non-profits to collect toy and coat donations. Toy and coat donations were collected at a booth outside of Macy’s. Over 1,890 children received coats/toys and 500 families received bags of food/personal hygiene products. In total, approximately 2,400 people were served. A special thank you to the Fairfield Police and Fire Departments, as well as Casa De Oracion of Fairfield, as this event would not be a success without their support!

Inspiration Sports

“At Promise” middle grade students ride a limo-bus to a professional sporting event. The goal is to expand the student’s horizon beyond Fairfield and to create a lasting inspiration. In 2023, the students attended a River Cats baseball game, a Sac Republic soccer game (where they were on the field to greet players) and a Sacramento Kings game.

At the King’s game, thanks to Medic Ambulance, the students watched the game from a suite. Vlade Divac visited the suite and signed autographs. The students receive Inspiration Sports and team t-shirts, along with dinner. Approximately 45 students are served by this program each year.

CLUB CHAOS FCSF continued funding scholarships for children and adults who need assistance paying for summer camp.

Club Chaos is an indoor/outdoor summer camp for children and adults with special needs. Activities include swimming and water play, arts and crafts, and music and movement.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS FCSF provided $14,500 in scholarships to 8 high school seniors in need of financial support for college through the Assist-A-Grad program.

Shelter Solano Patio Paver Project

FCSF installed two paver patios. Chris with Concentric Concrete provided volunteer supervision, First Northern Bank brought approximately 25 hard-working volunteers and the Brickyard in Vacaville donated most of the materials. Two flower planters with drip irrigation were also installed.

Addressing Food Insecurities

ST. MARK’S MANNA FOOD PANTRY FCSF continued it support of the Manna Food Pantry, in partnership with Paradise Valley Estates. Using grant funding, FCSF purchased proteins. FCSF has been funding food purchases at St. Mark’s since the start of the pandemic.

FCSF has also purchased new commercial freezers and refrigerators for St. Marks.

SENIOR

MEALS

FCSF prepared and provided a traditional Santa Maria barbecue for 120 seniors and a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for approximately 85 seniors at the Adult Recreation Center (ARC).

The Fairfield Fire Departments and their Fire Explorers supported the event. Proceeds from the dinners benefit ARC programs.

11th Annual Christmas Toy/Winter Coats/Food Giveaway

Our 11th annual toy/coats-for-kids and food drive and giveaway was held on December 16th at Bethel Community Church, as well as special events on Crowley Lane and Dana Drive. Our goal is to ensure low-income children in the community receive at least one new toy for Christmas and they have a warm coat to keep them healthy during the cold winter months and provide food for their families.

Bins were placed in local businesses and non-profits to collect toy and coat donations. Toy and coat donations were collected at a booth outside of Macy’s. Over 1,890 children received coats/toys and 500 families received bags of food/personal hygiene products. In total, approximately 2,400 people were served. A special thank you to the Fairfield Police and Fire Departments, as well as Casa De Oracion of Fairfield, as this event would not be a success without their support!

Thanksgiving Helping Hand

Members from the Fairfield Police Department and Grange Middle School delivered 20 Thanksgiving meals to “Grizzly” families. Led by Officer (newly promoted SGT) Bender and Grange Community Outreach Liaisons, this was the third year, and a wonderful tradition supporting Grange families during the holidays. FCSF provided $1,500, which allowed for double the number of families served, while also adding winter P.E. clothing. Grange serves some of the most resilient, hardworking and lower income families throughout Fairfield.

Special Events

Vine-to-Table Dinner Under the “Fairfield” sign on Texas Street, FCSF held its 2nd annual Vine-to-Table dinner. The event features local restaurants prepared food, paired with wines from Suisun Valley. The appetizer course, prepared by the Executive Chef’s from Shelter Solano, as well as the course from Two-60, used local produce from Sustainable Solano and grown by local farmers.

Chocoloate and Vine FCSF celebrated its 1st annual Chocolate and Vine event, with funds benefiting Inspiration Sports. Held in early February at The Barn at Green Valley, the event featured 12 wineries and an assortment of chocolates.

Appetizers were prepared by Fairfield High School culinary program (with food & produce provided by Paradise Valley Estates) and flower arrangements prepared by the Rodriguez High School FFA students.

Solano Winds provided flute music.

Major Donors 2023 The Foundation is grateful for the businesses, organizations, and individuals who have contributed $1000 or more to support the youth and seniors in the Fairfield.

California Municipal Finance Authority City of Fairfield Employee Associations Cordelia Rotary Club Fairfield-Suisun Rotary Club First Northern Bank Grocery Outlet Fairfield Jan and Sean Quinn Kaiser Permanente Kevin and Lisa Burke Macy’s Manfred and Hunt, LLP Medic Ambulance Mooyah Burgers Pacific Gas & Electric Paradise Valley Estates Potrero Hills Landfill Republic Services Russo Family Vineyards Richards, Watson and Gershon Rylee Fund Terra Realty Advisors Visit Fairfield Westamerica Bank

Fairfield Community Services Foundation PO Box 147 Fairfield, CA 94533 https://www.ffcsfoundation.org/ Click the icons to follow us on social media!