“Green Carts” Become a Reality

We have some great news!  A number of “green carts” – mobile fruit displays designed for small, neighborhood convenience stores - positioned at two locations in our southwest Fresno focus neighborhood, will be launched on Saturday, June 8, 2013.  This exciting opportunity came as a result of community members responding to residents’ desires to have access to more healthy fruits and vegetables. Many thanks go to Brady Matoian and his team at OK Produce which will be providing the fresh fruits and vegetables to fill the carts.

In collaboration with this exciting effort, during the week of June 3, a mobile fresh food truck from The Community Food Bank will be touring the focused neighborhood demonstrating to community members how to prepare a variety of healthy meals.

Thrivent Helps Make Dreams Come True

Thanks to our long-time partner, Thrivent Builds, Habitat Fresno will soon be building a 1,100 square foot, two bedroom, one bathroom home in the City of Clovis.  This is the seventh house Thrivent has sponsored for our affiliate!   Even though this house is smaller than our typical models, it is perfect for single mother Brandy and her two sons.

Brandy and her boys are currently living in an apartment that is ridden with mold, pests, and sewage problems. In the apartment above hers, the toilet chronically overflows sending waste through the floor and walls which has caused the ceiling in her bathroom to collapse. Her landlord responds to almost none of her requests for repairs and threatens to raise her rent when he does.  A decent, affordable Habitat house in Clovis will be a life line for her family to start anew. 

Although partially disabled from a motorcycle accident in her 20s, Brandy recognizes that it is truly a gift to give back to people and pay it forward. “I learned a long time ago it is not enough to survive. You have to succeed and share what you can with others.”  Brandy and sons, welcome to the Habitat family!

Habitat Fresno Elects New Board President

We want to share with you our appreciation of our out-going, two term Board President, Patrick Prince – thank you, Patrick! – and our excitement to welcome our new President, Bob Abrams.  Thank you, Bob, for your commitment to the work of Habitat Fresno!

Bob brings to this important role a wealth Habitat-friendly experiences ranging from banking to real estate and contracting to law.  It is a great blessing to have a leader with such deep and valuable connections to the work we do.   

Other new Board officer assignments include Sammy Renteria of Cargill Regional, Vice President; Brian G. James of O’Neill Winery, Treasurer; and Linda Hutcheson, Secretary. New to the Board is this year is Addie Carr of Neighborhood Thrift.  Beth Eckloff-Paz has also just started her second term on the Board.