14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY may 2-8, 2024 www.montereycountyweekly.com For the past four years, All-In Monterey County has helped distribute food, clothing and more to thousands of residents every month. Its volunteers were deployed throughout Pajaro following flooding in 2023, helping disaster-stricken residents clear out the mud from their homes while providing them with the necessities to stay on their feet. Now, the organization is in need of an assist of its own. With grants running dry, All-In Monterey County can no longer afford its warehouse at 555 Broadway Ave. in Seaside. The organization’s volunteers have reached deep into their personal pockets to continue at the space, says secretary Audrey Cray, but the roughly $10,000 a month in rent and overhead costs is unsustainable. “We’ve done so much with so little,” she says. “But it’s just not sustainable when we have such a small organization.” In 2023, the organization, which incorporated in 2022 as a nonprofit, received grants from the Community Foundation for Monterey County based on its flood relief efforts in Pajaro. But, Cray says, its recent grant applications have been unsuccessful. All-In Monterey County leaders are now looking for an affordable space to store the items that will be distributed through its various events. Storage units are a possibility, but even those are pricey, Cray says. They are also searching for a board member who will focus on fundraising, and are encouraging the public to donate what they can. Roxanne Wilson, the County of Monterey’s homeless services director, says All-In has played a “key role in services necessitated by disasters.” “Having emerged during the Covid19 pandemic, their humane approach to meeting people where they are, built on a foundation of compassion and empathy, has filled service gaps beyond the scope of traditional service provision,” she says. All-In was the first community-based organization to bring Covid vaccinations into encampments and emergency shelters, according to Wilson. It also rented space at both fairgrounds in Monterey and Watsonville to distribute donated goods for 2023 flood victims, and, among other things, delivers groceries to schools for families experiencing homelessness. “I love All-In,” Cray says. “If you’re coming to us, it’s because you need help. You don’t need to jump through hoops or prove to us that you need help. We are such a worthy organization and we want to continue what we’re doing as long as we can.” The Salinas Valley Health board of directors is getting closer to choosing a replacement for former president and CEO Pete Delgado, who stepped down in October 2023 after 10 years. In a closed session meeting on Thursday, April 25, the publicly elected board of the special district was presented with three candidates to choose from, after vetting by a national search firm and the board’s own search committee. The names of the three candidates are not being disclosed. One possible candidate could be Dr. Allen Radner, who was chosen to serve as interim president and CEO shortly after Delgado left. Radner was SVH’s chief medical officer for 10 years and one of the main infectious disease experts working in Monterey County during the first years of Covid-19. He began working as interim on Dec. 1. Delgado announced his resignation to SVH staff on Oct. 9, with no specified effective date, followed by an announcement four days later that he would remain until June 30, 2024, while the board looked for a new leader. (Despite that date, Delgado is no longer on the payroll, and has not been working since Dec. 1, according to a spokesperson. That’s when Radner took over as interim.) The California Controller’s Office shows that in 2022, Delgado was paid approximately $1.4 million in total compensation and benefits. The new president and CEO will lead a system with over 2,300 employees and a payroll of $227.5 million, with $69.4 million in retirement and health contributions, as of 2022. For the 2023-24 fiscal year, the district projected (as of March 31) approximately $543.5 million in operating revenue and $552 million in operating expenses, a deficit of $8.5 million. Nonoperating income, which comes from investments, grants and other sources, is projected as a positive, at nearly $23 million for the fiscal year. The full board will interview all three candidates and make a hiring announcement, possibly in May or June. Priced Out Costly rent is forcing All-In Monterey County to look for more affordable options. By Erik Chalhoub news POLICE STATION Carmel Mayor Dave Potter hosts a community listening session for residents to give input on the city’s police building renovation. Comments are encouraged. 4pm Thursday, May 2. Carmel City Council chambers, Monte Verde Street, Carmel or via Zoom. For questions, email nromero@ci.carmel.ca.us. 6202016. GROWING GREENER The UC Master Gardeners of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties holds a workshop to learn how to grow your own summer bounty by planting in the spring. There will be live interactive demonstrations, including instructions on how to know when to plant from a seed versus from a start. 9-11am Sunday, May 5. Pinto Lake County Park, 757 Green Valley Road, Watsonville. Free; registration required. 759-7351, mbmg.ucanr.edu. GARDEN GAIT Walk through and admire seven home gardens, the C4SM Oak Woodlands and one of the Club Perc Pond Projects at Marina Tree and Garden Club’s Garden Tour. A map of all the gardens will be provided prior to the tour at check-in. 10am-3pm Sunday, May 5. 190 Seaside Circle, Marina. $10/in advance; $15/ day-of. info@marinatreeandgarden. com, bit.ly/4bhuCFd. HOUSING BLOCK The County of Monterey is seeking public comment on the recommendations for Community Development Block Grant funding. A total of $1.3 million is recommended to be allocated among the cities of Del Rey Oaks, Gonzales, Greenfield and Sand City for CDBG projects. Tuesday, May 14 is the deadline to submit comments. Comment by mail to Dawn Yonemitsu, 1441 Schilling Place, 2nd Floor South, Salinas, CA 93901; via email to housingprograms@countyofmonterey.gov; or by calling 755-5387. OPEN FOR BUSINESS The Monterey County Business Council holds workshops for its Building Business Back program. Topics in English and Spanish include discussions on cybersecurity and how to launch a food business from home. The cybersecurity webinar is held in English Noon-1pm Wednesday, May 8 and then in Spanish from noon-1pm on Wednesday, May 22. The food business launch workshop is held 1-2pm in English and then 2-3pm in Spanish Thursday, May 9. Filipino American Community Club, 192 Paddon Place, Marina. Free; registration required. linktr.ee/MontereyCountyBusiness. Higher Search The Salinas Valley Health board is evaluating three candidates for the CEO spot. By Pam Marino All-In Monterey County once envisioned 555 Broadway Ave. in Seaside as a community hub. The small organization is now searching for a new, less expensive spot. e-mail: toolbox@mcweekly.com TOOLBOX “We’ve done so much with so little.” Daniel Dreifuss
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