Fremont Bank Foundation Awards $100,000 Grant to Local Nonprofit

HAYWARD — Spectrum Community Services, a private nonprofit organization that assists low-income and disadvantaged individuals, families and seniors throughout Alameda County, has been awarded a $100,000 grant from Fremont Bank Foundation. 

The grant will support Spectrum’s Seniors Meals Program, which feeds thousands of low-income seniors annually.

“Each day, senior citizens across Alameda County rely on our Seniors Meals Program to meet their basic nutritional needs,” said Michael Sweeney, Spectrum’s executive director. 

Spectrum serves more than 100,000 meals each year. 

“Our local seniors are incredibly fortunate to have the support of Fremont Bank Foundation, whose generous gift and ongoing assistance ensure that Spectrum can continue providing warm meals and other services to those in need," Sweeney said.

Spectrum’s Seniors Meals Program serves high-quality, nutritious meals daily in eight cities and three unincorporated areas throughout east, central and south Alameda County. 

A small, voluntary donation is suggested to help cover part of the meal’s cost, but no senior is turned away for lack of money. 

As a result, many seniors receive a healthy meal they could not otherwise afford.  Additionally, the Seniors Meals Program offers opportunities for peer interaction, helping seniors to stay active and avoid social isolation.

Under terms of the grant, Spectrum will receive $20,000 each year for the next five years (including 2012) from Fremont Bank Foundation for ongoing funding needs.  T

he award marks the second $100,000 grant given to Spectrum by Fremont Bank Foundation, which has given more than $260,000 to Spectrum programs and facility improvements since 2002. 

“We are delighted to continue our partnership with Spectrum Community Services,” said Fremont Bank Foundation President Hattie Hyman Hughes.  “Fremont Bank Foundation partners with organizations that have a proven record of making a difference in Bay Area communities, and Spectrum has worked tirelessly for more than four decades to improve the lives of local residents in need.”

Spectrum relies on a mix of private and public funding for its nutritional and energy assistance programs.  In recent years, federal funding has dropped significantly, making private donations increasingly critical to sustain services for a growing population of low-income senior citizens.  To continue offering the same level of service, Spectrum has cut staff salaries as much as 10 percent.

About Spectrum Community Services
Founded in 1971, Spectrum Community Services is a registered, private nonprofit organization that assists low-income and disadvantaged individuals, families and seniors in their efforts to live independently.  Spectrum is recognized by the State of California and the IRS as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3).

About Fremont Bank Foundation
Fremont Bank is the primary funding source for Fremont Bank Foundation, which was established in 1995 as an independent, private grant-making foundation.  Sharing with the community is at the heart of Fremont Bank Foundation, which provides financial assistance to nonprofit organizations for the implementation of services and programs that enhance the quality of life for all people in the communities served by Fremont Bank.  Fremont Bank Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests or uninvited proposals; its members prefer to seek out and select organizations for potential funding.

Editor's note: This press release was lightly edited.