Fallbrook Food Pantry, Bonsall Rotary allocated Neighborhood Reinvestment Program funding

The Fallbrook Food Pantry and the Bonsall Rotary Club were allocated Neighborhood Reinvestment Program grants Feb. 25.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to allocate $50,000 to the Fallbrook Food Pantry for the acquisition of a new building facility and $10,000 to the Bonsall Rotary Club for the chapter's Wine, Brews and Blues Festival fundraiser.

The Neighborhood Reinvestment Program is intended to provide grants to nonprofit organizations for the furtherance of public purposes at the regional and community levels. In addition to nonprofit organizations, county supervisors can also fund schools and fire departments, and supervisors can also use money from their budgets to supplement other county funding for specific county projects such as parks, roads and libraries.

Each county supervisor recommends the allocation of their Neighborhood Reinvestment Program funds, although those allocations must be approved by a majority of the board. The grants to the Fallbrook organizations were from the 5th District budget of Supervisor Jim Desmond.

The Fallbrook Food Pantry was established in 1981 and its mission is to aid community members in need of food. The Fallbrook Food Pantry also provides emotional support to Fallbrook, Bonsall, De Luz, Rainbow and Pala residents and refers individuals in need of clothing, shelter or medical care to the appropriate agency.

More than 600 households are helped through the senior, children and neighborhood distribution programs. The Neighborhood Reinvestment Program grant will help the Fallbrook Food Pantry purchase a new facility within the existing Brandon Street building which will provide supplemental meals.

“The support we provided to Fallbrook Food Pantry will allow them to continue and enhance their operation,” Desmond said.

The Bonsall Rotary Club supports local organizations as well as worldwide Rotary efforts such as Rotary International’s campaign to eradicate polio. The Wine, Brews and Blues Festival has been the Rotary chapter’s major fundraiser for the past 23 years, and the proceeds from that event are earmarked toward community activities.

This year’s Wine, Brews and Blues Festival will take place June 6, and the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program funding will help with the purchase of shade sails, linens and tables, plates, drinking glasses, paper ice buckets, forks and napkins.

“The Bonsall Rotary Club is a fantastic organization that makes a huge difference in the community,” Desmond said. “I’m proud of everything they support and look forward to their continued success.”