October 28, 2017  - Napa, CA - Napa Valley Community Foundation (NVCF) approved distributions from its Disaster Relief Fund totaling $3 million to help local workers facing serious financial hardships because of the economic slow-down brought about by the devastating fires of recent weeks in Napa Valley.  Cash aid is now available for low-to-moderate income Napa County workers who need financial assistance, as a result of the fires, to help pay for: rent or security deposits; utility and phone bills; auto loans; childcare; or healthcare expenditures.  At this time, the Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA) program is taking applications until November 9.  Through October 31, those who wish to apply for the EFA program should visit the Local Assistance Center (LAC) at 2751 Napa Valley Corporate Drive, Building A, in Napa.  Thereafter, residents facing financial hardship because of the fires should call to make an appointment at one of the following community-based nonprofit organizations, each of which is already working with prospective EFA clients that were referred through the LAC in recent days: Cope Family Center (707-252-1123) ; McPherson Neighborhood Family Resource Center (a program of On the Move, 707-251-9432 ); and Up Valley Family Centers, with offices in Calistoga and St. Helena ( 707-965-5010 x 403).

"The fires in our community have created two categories of victims," said NVCF President Terence Mulligan.  "Those who lost their homes, of which there are roughly 500; and those who've been impacted by the dramatic, short-term decline of our agriculture and hospitality economy, of which there are several thousand.  We intend to do our best to help both, taking into account the other resources that people may have at their disposal, beyond the charitable dollars we manage -- like insurance payments, federal government grants and loans, and Disaster Unemployment Assistance."

The Emergency Financial Assistance program is available for people who live or work in Napa County, whose household earnings are at or below 120% of Area Median Income.  To be considered for an EFA grant, applicants must provide evidence that a Disaster Unemployment Assistance/EDD screening has occurred, to ensure philanthropic resources are not duplicating government benefits for which some may be eligible.  All EFA payments will be made directly to approved vendors like landlords and utility companies, and not paid out directly to those seeking financial assistance.

For more information about program eligibility and the documents required to submit an application, please visit the LAC or call one of the Family Resource Centers listed below. 

 

The Napa Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund is managed by NVCF and was established with a $10 million lead gift from Napa Valley Vintners following the 2014 South Napa Earthquake.  After all phases of quake-related relief programs concluded last year, the Disaster Relief Fund had a balance of approximately $2.5 million, which is the starting point for current relief efforts for the Napa Fire Complex.

 

 

Where to learn more about the Emergency Financial Assistance Program:

Local Assistance Center (LAC)

2751 Napa Valley Corporate Drive

Building A

Napa, CA  94558

707-299-2190

 

Cope Family Center

707 Randolph St

Napa, CA 94559

707-252-1123

 

McPherson Family Resource Center

2670 Yajome Street

Napa, Ca 94558

707-251-9432

 

UpValley Family Centers

1440 Spring Street
St. Helena, CA 94574
707-965-5010 x 403

 

 

Area Median Income table for Napa County on page 9 of this document.

More information on the Napa Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund, and to donate, click here.