As the COVID-19 pandemic stretched into April, Alpine Kiwanis members started making plans to assist local restaurants while helping residents left without enough food on the table.
Kiwanian Rose Signore credits fellow club member Joe Brunold with putting forth the initial idea of gathering financial donations with the intention of directing the funds toward families in need of food.
“In addition to donations from businesses in the community, individual Kiwanis members also made personal donations to the fund. Off the top of my head, I know Alpine Taco Shop is one that donated to us as well as Right to Bear, Clayco Electric and Postal Annex,” Signore said.
Within one month, they amassed approximately $4,000 in donations used to purchase gift cards at local restaurants and Barons Market, fulfilling Brunold’s vision of helping families and Alpine businesses at the same time.
Signore said that the club purchased gift cards good for meals at Donato’s, La Carreta, Alpine Taco Shop, Marechiaro’s, Mediterraneo’s, Casino Inn, the Alpine VFW post and Descanso Junction Cafe.
The club also purchased 14 gift cards worth $150 each for Barons Market in Alpine, with management of the market adding more grocery money to each of the cards as well.
Barons Market Senior Vice President Rachel Shemirani said the business was happy to donate to the community.
“We believe everyone is entitled to good, fresh food and we just wanted to give to local families,” Shemirani said.
Kiwanis Director and Alpine Community Center Director Louise Phipps said the project evolved from its original concept and explained Brunold had originally asked her if there were any senior citizens who might need help at the community center.
“As we talked, it seemed like we should take this in the direction of local children, not just because our motto is ‘Serving the Children of the World’ but also because Barons Market was going to be involved and they are so supportive of local students and families,” Phipps said.
Phipps says she coordinated with Alpine Union School District to identify families that could benefit from the groceries.
“With my professional experience going through the school district, I connected with the social worker at the district and they identified fourteen families that were truly in need. They were very thoroughly vetted and some of their situations were— well, it was just one thing after the other: children with special needs, single parents with no income, truly needy families,” Phipps said.
To safeguard the recipients identities, the gift cards were picked up at the community center by a school district representative, then privately delivered to families off site, thereby keeping everything confidential.
Phipps said part of the joy comes from fulfilling what Brunold envisioned: helping families while helping businesses to support the Alpine community.
“It’s a compliment to Joe who doesn’t want any credit for the idea, just to know we’re helping.”
