FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — “Bottom line is this. More people coming and less resources to serve them,” Poverello House CEO Zack Darrah said.<\/p>\n
2025 has been a difficult year for local organizations, including the Central California Food Bank and Poverello House.<\/p>\n
Both received less money and, at the same time, had more people asking for help than ever before.<\/p>\n
“One kind of temperature check for us is certainly our thanksgiving meal, which this year we see a more than 20% increase in people coming,” Darrah said.<\/p>\n
For the first time, the Lifelong Learning Administration Corporation donated a $15,000 check to each.<\/p>\n
The LLAC bridges the gap for students in need. Co-founder Skip Hansen says their mission to serve those in need aligns with both organizations.<\/p>\n
“Many of our kids are struggling with homelessness and hunger. We are seeing it at an epidemic level these last few years and as a nonprofit and knowing that we can’t do it all, we are looking for other nonprofits that are helping solve those problems,” Hansen said.<\/p>\n
At the Poverello House, this check will serve about 3,000 meals and while for the Central California Food Bank, it will provide about 60,000 meals.<\/p>\n
It’s the kind of support that is always welcomed with open arms.<\/p>\n
“This allows us to make additional investments in programing in our organization,” Central California Food Bank Co-CEO Natalie Caples said.<\/p>\n
Darrah and Caples expect 2026 to be even more challenging and hope local partners will continue showing up.<\/p>\n
“We know we are going to see more people coming through these doors and we need the communities support,” Darrah said.<\/p>\n
If you would like to help, the Central California Food Bank<\/a> and Poverello House<\/a> welcome volunteers and donations year-round.<\/p>\n For news updates, follow Elisa Navarro on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2025 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n