Hey everyone! Happy farm box day! Amongst all the chaos and box packing.. we’ve managed to fit in MORE box packing to give back to our community in this time of need. We have partnered up with the 93013 fund to make this happen - and we are sure glad we did. These folks have been such a joy to work with and have such a heart for our community. I got to chat with Peter who is one of the headers of this organization to ask him a few questions. We’re so stoked to be able to give back, give a read below to find out the team behind this fund. Have a great week farm box family!
1. What is the 93013 fund? How did you get started?
93013 Fund is a Covid-19 specific local fundraising tool to support response efforts in Carpinteria. The Rotary Club of Carpinteria Sunset Charitable Foundation launched the fund with seed money from CARP Growers, the local cannabis farmers group. Hans Brand is President of the Rotary Foundation and Treasurer of CARP Growers.
2. Who are the recipients of the boxes you have been packing? And how are they getting to them?
93013 Fund works with and Advisory Committee of local business and nonprofit leaders to identify the specific needs of our community. Carpinteria Children's Project has organized lists of families to receive the boxes through its programs and nonprofit partners. We distribute at schools, People's Self Help Housing apartment complexes and Carpinteria Children's Project.
3. What sparked the idea for this rad movement? How is it being funded?
When the pandemic stay-at-home orders started, several groups saw the pending economic crisis and started planning how to best respond. 93013 Fund came out of that need to ensure there were local resources to support efforts in Carpinteria, which as a small town sometimes is overlooked in regional response efforts. Seed money was provided by CARP Growers, and over the past three weeks about 100 local individuals have contributed about $40,000.
4. Wow that is incredible!!! What else does 93013 fund do?
93013 Fund will distribute $10k in school supplies this week through Carpinteria Unified School District for students who don't have enough materials at home to support their education through school closures. Pencils, markers, paper, scissors ... 500 substantial bundles to deliver to kids who need it. We are also purchasing vouchers for hot meals from local restaurants to distribute.
5. How can people get involved if they want to?
The best way to get involved is to donate at 93013fund.org. The fund looks to Carpinteria Children's Project and other local organizations to identify needs and create programs that assist in food insecurity and other urgent needs in response to the pandemic. Individuals in need or anyone who sees a community need should call the Carpinteria Cares line: (805) 203-6648 which will reach Carpinteria Children's Project and help to connected resources with those who need it most.
Thank you so much for chatting with us Peter - keep charging!
