Local funders announce whopper grant to arson-ravaged Food Bank.

The act was unconscionable. The damage, breathtaking.

An arson fire started in the early morning of March 21 at the Food Bank for Monterey County in Salinas left the beloved nonprofit reeling. Four of the Food Bank's fleet of 10 refrigerated trucks were destroyed, as was the loading dock, leaving the organization without means to deliver or receive food. As for the food inside the Food Bank's warehouse? Much of it had to be tossed due to smoke damage.

In all, damage is estimated at more than $1 million. 

An arsonist, yet to be identified, was captured on a nearby security camera setting the fire in a load of pallets, then returning several times to stoke the flames.

But a true bright light is shining in all the darkness, as local funders are announcing grants of more than $425,000 to the Food Bank.

The grants will be announced at a press event at 2pm Tuesday. The funders include the Community Foundation for Monterey County, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, First 5 Monterey County, Harden Foundation, Monterey Peninsula Foundation, Nancy Buck Ransom Foundation, Pebble Beach Company Foundation and United Way Monterey County. 

"Our board committed discretionary funds, and donor advisors were grateful to have a way to contribute," says Dan Baldwin, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. "They know people will go hungry if the Food Bank is unable to replenish the warehouse, rebuilt the infrastructure and replace trucks."

After the fire, foundation representatives visited the Food Bank and met with Melissa Kendrick, Food Bank executive director, to determine critical needs. 

"The best way we can help the Food Bank get back in business is to donate money so they can pay for all the things that must be replaced or repaired," says Mary Adams, president and CEO of United Way Monterey County. "Regardless of the amount you gift—for each $1 in donations, the Food Bank can buy $5 worth of food."

About 15 percent of Monterey County's population, or 61,810 people, are considered "food insecure," meaning they lack the reliable means to obtain food. And, Kendrick says, 20 percent of the population depends on the Food Bank to eat, while half of the clients served by the Food Bank are children.

"The thought that one person will go to bed hungry because of [the fire], especially a child or senior, is killing me," she said in an interview with the Weekly just after the fire.

The Food Bank also has received $10,000 from California Water Service, among numerous other donations. The Food Bank is continuing to accept donations at www.foodbankformontereycounty.org.