Thanks to the investment by PFS donors and partners, we continue our work as a pillar of community support, and ensure that our community’s most vulnerable families have the tools they need to weather the short- and long-term impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak.
As soon as our community began to shelter-in-place, PFS pivoted our activities by providing remote services to participants in all three program areas. As staff spoke with individuals and families, PFS realized we needed to do even more for our struggling neighbors, and established the PFS COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund to give gift cards directly to our participants to buy food, medications, diapers, infant formula, or other essential items.
The first gifts to this fund were generously donated by the Hillsborough Auxiliary to Peninsula Family Service (HAPFS). An outpouring of support quickly followed by individuals familiar with our programs and services. An anonymous Foothill Auxiliary Member contributed a challenge grant, which continues to generate gifts today. PFS is extremely grateful to donors who give what they are able—from $20 to $25,000, you are making a difference!
PFS deeply appreciates the commitment of our community partners on the Peninsula who have truly stepped up in this time of crisis. We particularly thank the following partners, not only for their ongoing support, but now for their emergency relief funding to PFS in the past two months: Comerica Bank, Peninsula Health Care District, San Mateo County Strong, Sequoia Healthcare District, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Sobrato Family Foundation, Sunlight Giving Foundation, and Wells Fargo. We will also have a special announcement the week of June 15 – 19 related to emergency relief from an additional corporate partner: Stay tuned on social media!
The COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund has made a great impact, both keeping Peninsula Family Service strong and providing emergency relief directly to those PFS serves.