FRESNO (KMJ) — The “Raise the Roof” campaign organized by Fresno’s Poverello House, to modernize and rejuvenate facilities on site, is now over following a $1 million grant from the State of California.
The money will be used to complete efforts to build a new food storage warehouse, an operations center, and complete community housing improvements.
“I am proud of our hard work here in the valley, to support this project that we’re standing in today,” said Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula.
“It is a pleasure to come and see how we can help our neediest and I am proud of the work that we at the State have been doing to help our community.”
He was there to officially present the giant check.
“I couldn’t have secured these funds without the help of many individuals and organizations that also have helped with our ‘Raise the Roof’ campaign.
“I’d like to thank all the local donors who have contributed to this campaign. Without their financial commitment this project would not have been possible. Being able to show the Governor and my colleagues that there was already a significant local investment made it easier for us to get the $1 million.”
There to receive the state grant on behalf of Poverello House was Executive Director Cruz Avila.
“If folks saw the warehouse beforehand, and now you see the warehouse that we’re in now. It’s not even completed but you can see the amenities that are already taking place with this warehouse.”
Poverello House was founded in 1974 by the late “Papa” Mike McGarvin. He was present for the “Raise the Roof” groundbreaking in March (click here to read more), but passed away in July (click here to read more).
The official ribbon cutting ceremony, to mark the culmination of the “Raise the Roof” campaign and officially unveil the improvements, is scheduled for the end of October.
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
