SACRAMENTO, CA – October 18, 2021 – Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) and its affiliated entity, Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA), have partnered with the California Fire Foundation (CFF) to provide $50,000 in wildfire relief funding to rural county communities impacted by catastrophic wildfires. CFF will disburse the funds directly to fire victims in rural counties for the purchase of necessities through their Supplying Aid to Victims of Emergency (SAVE) program following qualifying fire events.
Catastrophic wildfires impact numerous residents in California each year, displacing many and causing others to suffer loss of property or income. CFF’s SAVE program brings immediate, short-term relief to those impacted through the distribution of gift cards directly to victims of fire or other natural disaster by frontline firefighters. These gift cards aid individuals in purchasing basic necessities such as food, temporary housing, or clothing. With this contribution, CFF will distribute 200 gift cards to eligible residents in RCRC and GSFA rural member counties for the purchase of necessities during and immediately after qualifying wildfire events.
“Catastrophic wildfires have greatly impacted rural counties throughout the state of California this year and upended the lives of thousands of residents forced to evacuate or permanently relocate,” said Mono County Supervisor and RCRC Board Chair Stacy Corless. “With this contribution RCRC and GSFA aim to provide some assistance to rural residents and support the important work of the California Fire Foundation.”
“This fire season is impacting large numbers of people in rural areas across the state,” said Rick Martinez, Executive Director of the California Fire Foundation. “Partnering with such great Community-Based Organizations on the ground such as RCRC, allows us to identify communities affected quickly, resulting in getting more aid out to those in desperate need.”
CFF is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization that provides emotional and financial assistance to victims of fire, firefighters, and the families of fallen firefighters. CFF launched the SAVE program in 2014 and has impacted more than 55,000 victims in California to date. Additional information regarding the SAVE program is available at www.cafirefoundation.org.
ABOUT RURAL COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES OF CALIFORNIA (RCRC) AND GOLDEN STATE FINANCE AUTHORITY (GSFA)
The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) is a thirty-seven member county service organization that champions policies on behalf of California’s rural counties. RCRC is dedicated to representing the collective unique interests of its membership, providing legislative and regulatory representation at the State and Federal levels, and providing responsible services for its members to enhance and protect the quality of life in rural California counties. To learn more about RCRC, visit rcrcnet.org and follow @RuralCounties on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA) is a California joint powers authority and a duly constituted public entity and agency. GSFA was established in 1993 by RCRC and has distinguished itself as a leader in housing finance in California for more than 28 years, helping more than 83,400 individuals and families purchase a home. GSFA has provided over $634.4 million in down payment assistance and helped finance 34,300 energy efficiency improvement projects.
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