Gleaners benefit from Chevron donation
| Thursday, Nov 19 2009 04:41 PM
Last Updated Thursday, Nov 19 2009 04:41 PM
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Everything from a chili cook-off to a picnic raffle to a watermelon eating contest helped raise more than $26,000 for the Golden Empire Gleaners.
"When you come see what the organization is about, you get taken with it," said Diane Duran, who has volunteered with Chevron for 17 years and was chairwoman of her fundraising team.
She was just one of many Chevron employees who raised the funds to give the Gleaners on Thursday.
The total check presented to the Golden Empire Gleaners was $26,517.10. Of that amount, $11,517.10 was raised through Chevron San Joaquin Valley employees during their annual "Oil Can Do It" food drive.
The other $15,000 was contributed by Chevron to go to the Gleaners' senior sack program, which provides food for low-income seniors in Kern County.
Adam Alvidrez, a Chevron representative, said it's Chevron's policy to invest in the local community and make it a better place.
Alvidrez said San Joaquin Valley Chevron chose the Gleaners because the organizations serves a critical human need, providing food to nearly 500,000 people in Kern County every year.
Duran said Chevron's Humankind program matched employee donations over $25. Humankind launched in 2008 to help Chevron employees partner with non-profit organizations.
Pam Fiorini, executive director of the Golden Empire Gleaners, said the money will go to their general operations, providing groceries to 20,000 people a month in Kern County.
