MEALS ON WHEELS OF THE MONTEREY PENINSULA Year Founded: 1972 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 36 paid, 607 volunteers Budget: $5,729,244 (831) 375-4454 mowmp.org BIG IDEA: Daily deliveries to homebound seniors by Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula are not just convenient sources of nutrition. This nonprofit empowers people to age at home with dignity and a source of social connection. Beyond home delivery, this organization also provides community meals for older adults, individuals with disabilities and veterans—resulting in more than 600,000 meals served each year. Donations help Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula continue to fulfill its Big Idea and meet demand: This organization serves everyone in need when they need it, instead of adding them to a waitlist. “Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula has fed us healthy food delivered by the kindest volunteers and built a well-designed ramp on our house so we can continue to walk outside. We are so grateful for the many kindnesses and services. We feel loved.” -Richard and Joyce M. MONTEREY BAY MASTER GARDENERS Year Founded: 1995 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 0 paid, 143 volunteers Budget: $69,766 (831) 759-7350 mbmg.ucanr.edu BIG IDEA: Anyone can garden—even if you don’t have a yard or a garden! This is part of Monterey Bay Master Gardeners’ innovative Portable Edible Gardening class. This no-yard-required Big Idea provides participants with a fabric grow bag filled with nutrient-rich soil, healthy starter vegetable and herb plants, and master gardener know-how. In fact, all plants given away were grown by master gardeners in the organization’s Salinas greenhouse, ensuring the plants are locally resilient. Offered in both English and Spanish, the Portable Edible Gardening class expanded from four to nine workshops in 2025. “Thank you so much for inviting me to the Portable Edible Gardening class. I just loved it. I’m growing my herbs in one bag and tomatoes in the other. It’s so cool. My grandkids love them too. It’s the perfect way to introduce gardening to everyone— not intimidating at all. Makes it so easy to get outside and grow your own fresh food.” -Lucy Stewart NATIVIDAD MEDICAL FOUNDATION Year Founded: 1988 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 11 paid, 60 volunteers Budget: $1,543,999 (831) 755-4187 natividadfoundation.org BIG IDEA: Natividad Medical Center is Monterey County’s only trauma center, treating 1,500 patients annually. The Natividad Medical Foundation works alongside the hospital, offering help with care that goes beyond that lifesaving treatment. That includes assisting patients with medical supplies, short motel stays for recovery and transportation to and from appointments. For patients who arrive in the trauma center for treatment of injuries due to violence, like gunshot wounds or stabbings, the CHOICE program helps them not just survive physically but to find a healthy path forward and minimize the risk of reinjury. “I want to thank the CHOICE program, which has helped me in many ways. CHOICE was there when I had gone through a major low point in my life. I came to the trauma center after being stabbed. Intervention specialists provided support not only to me but also to my family. I graduated top student and received a scholarship to continue my education. CHOICE continues to provide support to me along my journey.” -Izzy P., 19 THE PARENTING CONNECTION OF MONTEREY COUNTY Year Founded: 2014 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 13 paid, 5 volunteers Budget: $870,284 (831) 647-3333 parentingconnectionmc.org BIG IDEA: When mothers need help, they turn to 136 Monterey County GIVES! 2025 mcgives.com HEALTH, WELLNESS & FOOD DONATE ONLINE MCGIVES.COM “We feel loved.” -Richard and Joyce M., Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula NAMI MONTEREY COUNTY Year Founded: 1984 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 4 paid, 60 volunteers Budget: $440,000 (831) 422-6264 namimonterey.org BIG IDEA: NAMI Monterey County offers comprehensive access to mental health support for people of all ages. A local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI’s Big Idea faces growing need. Mental illness affects 1 in 5 people, but those patients are not the only ones in need of support. NAMI programs help people understand diagnoses, navigate services and find hope, for themselves or a loved one. This nonprofit aims to meet increasing demand for skilled facilitators and programs, including family-to-family and peer-to-peer support groups, all geared toward transforming isolation into connection. “One way that I find relief from my grief and my son’s drama is by attending groups with others. The NAMI groups have helped me understand my own so much more. I have utilized so many of the resources out there and it truly helps me to have patience and understanding when my son is in crisis.” -Zoe Littledove SPOTLIGHT
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