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Culturally diverse organizations team up to help feed the community.
by Laine Hendricks –
The Salvation Army Fresno Corps and Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno, along with local radio station Mega Oldies 97.9, joined forces to reinforce the message that “Need knows no Creed” in California’s Central Valley and to help feed the farming community in the City of San Joaquin.
The City of San Joaquin is one of many agricultural communities in Central California impacted by the dual-punch of a national recession combined with a devastating local water shortage that has led to agricultural lay-offs. These lay-offs have left agricultural work-dependent individuals and families homeless and hungry. The city of San Joaquin picked The Salvation Army among other organizations to spearhead their volunteer efforts to keep people fed in their community.
The Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno is a new partnership for The Salvation Army, initiated by a local Army supporter. Shortly after learning of the goal to help the city of San Joaquin, the Islamic Center offered their mosque and recruited volunteers to host the community food drive. The event took place on January 18—which is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the National Day of Volunteering. Thanks to the “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” promotion, students from San Joaquin Memorial [Catholic] High School also volunteered, adding an additional faith-based component to the “Need Knows No Creed” event.
“This partnership was a win-win for the Fresno Corps,” said Captain Dwaine Breazeale, Fresno County Coordinator. “It not only rounded-out the Salvation Army’s Cultural Awareness Week, but helped us gain another important ally in the fight against hunger in Fresno County.”
Despite stormy weather that day, the community donated seven barrels of food and spirits remained cheerful thanks to on-site entertainment provided by Mega Oldies 97.9 radio personalities.