Organization’s donation to fund 65,000 meals for residents in need

The Central Valley of California is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the U.S., yet many of its residents experience food insecurities. Nearly a fifth of Fresno County residents live below the poverty level¹ and with the rising cost of housing, groceries and utilities, many are often stretched beyond their financial limits.

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Lifelong Learning steps up as a nonprofit serving other nonprofits with donations to the Central California Food Bank and Poverello House to help feed families this holiday season

Lifelong Learning Administration Corporation, a nonprofit that provides administrative and operational support to schools, has answered the calls for help from local organizations that provide meals, groceries and other wraparound services. Central California Food Bank and Poverello House will be gifted donations totaling $30,000 to further their missions to support community members in need.

“Our partner schools like Learn4Life have campuses often located in communities with significant socioeconomic challenges and nonprofits like these have been a lifesaver for many of the students our work supports,” explained Pete Faragia, CEO of Lifelong Learning and longtime Fresno resident. “I often think about the plight of students being expected to learn when they’re unsure of when or where their next meal will come from. I appreciate the essential work of Central California Food Bank and Poverello House at this time of year and beyond.”

Central California Food Bank works with a network of more than 270 member partners — including schools, churches, community centers and other organizations. Their work across Fresno, Tulare, Kings, Madera and Kern Counties provides nutritious food to children, families and seniors through food pantries, school meal programs, food distributions and grocery-box pick-ups.

“This generous donation will allow us to provide up to 60,000 meals,” said Natalie Caples, co-CEO of the Central California Food Bank. “This has been an especially challenging year for our neighbors who struggle to meet basic needs of their families, so we are grateful for the generosity of our community and organizations like Lifelong Learning to aid in our mission.”

Since the early 1970s, Poverello House has provided essential, compassionate support such as food, shelter, hygiene and pathways to rehabilitation and permanent housing. Social services provided include housing referrals, clothing, showers and laundry, substance-abuse rehabilitation and case management.

“We provide three hot meals a day, 365 days a year, and the demand for our help has only grown this holiday season,” explained Poverello House CEO Zackary Darrah. “The donation from Lifelong Learning will provide 5,000 meals to the families and individuals we are trying to warm during the coldest month of the year.”

Both organizations rely on the generosity of companies and individuals to sustain essential services for residents of the Central Valley, underscoring the ongoing need for support in the communities they serve. To make a donation, please visit Central California Food Bank or Poverello House.

About Lifelong Learning

Lifelong Learning provides services and support to schools that educate students through a personalized learning model. As a nonprofit, Lifelong Learning is dedicated to empowering other nonprofits and educational organizations that work to enrich lives and communities. For more information, please visit www.llac.org.

About Central California Food Bank

Central California Food Bank (CCFB) is the region’s largest nonprofit organization focused solely on ending hunger. CCFB has experienced tremendous growth since its beginning in 1992 and now serves as the center of a vast network of more than 270 member partners, including schools, churches, community kitchens, and more, to provide nutritious food to our neighbors in need throughout Fresno, Madera, Tulare, Kings and Kern Counties.

Through our comprehensive hunger-relief programs and services, we distribute nearly 60 million pounds of food to families in need each year, serving more than 320,000 people each month, including more than 100,000 children across our service area. This is indicative of the 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 3 children that face food insecurity in Central California. For more information about what Central California Food Bank is doing to fight hunger, visit www.ccfoodbank.org.

About Poverello House

Poverello House is a Fresno-based nonprofit dedicated to serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness, hunger and hardship. Founded in 1973 by “Papa Mike” McGarvin, Poverello House began as a grassroots effort to offer meals, compassion and dignity to those in need. More than five decades later, it has grown into a vital community hub providing daily hot meals, shelter, safe respite, clothing, hygiene services, rehabilitation programs, and comprehensive support that helps guests take steps toward stability and self-sufficiency.

Each year, Poverello House serves hundreds of thousands of meals and connects thousands of individuals to essential wraparound services—guided by its mission to enrich the lives and spirits of all who walk through its doors. Learn more at poverellohouse.org.

¹ Fresno County Department of Public Health, 2025

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I often think about the plight of students being expected to learn when they’re unsure of when or where their next meal will come from.