Project Access “Spreads Joy” to Low-Income Families in California

Project Access is collecting donations through the Spread the Joy Holiday Program in order to provide gifts, hot meals, and a sense of community to thousands of low-income California resident’s this holiday season.

The unemployment rate in California is a staggering 12.9%. For low-income residents of Project Access’ 37 Family and Senior Resource Centers this is a daunting statistic to overcome. At a minimum wage job, families in California would need to work 100+ hours a week to afford a one bedroom apartment. This hardship leaves little extra income for essentials like school supplies and groceries, let alone gifts at the holidays. Additionally, the majority of the hungry in our nation are low-income children and elderly – 65% collectively. Because Project Access residents earn less than half the median income, the gift of a hot meal is priceless. Because of these, and the countless other challenges the working poor face, Project Access is providing the families, children and seniors they serve with a Community Holiday Celebration. The gathering not only provides each participant with a gift, likely the only one they will receive, but also a hot meal and sense of community. The goal is to raise $17,000 in order to meet the overwhelming need in the Family and Senior Resource Centers they operate. The effort is done through soliciting monetary donations and partnering with organizations to collect the most needed items.

This year Project Access has partnered with organizations such as, Telogis and National Human Resource Association, Orange County affiliates to secure necessities for residents, including grocery gift cards, and laundry detergent – due to the hardship the holidays present to the “working poor” these items are wonderful gifts. They have also teamed up with Wells Fargo to be included in their employee holiday giving opportunities. By forging these partnerships, Project Access is able to leverage the donations individuals make to stretch them further and serve more low-income families.

LINK TO PRESS RELEASE DOCUMENT.