California: Grant a Giant Boost for AIDS Center

The Diablo Valley AIDS Center -- a Concord, Calif.-based nonprofit that provides groceries to 400 low-income people with HIV/AIDS and their families -- got a big boost when it received a $10,000 grant from the San Francisco Giants Community Fund and the Until There's a Cure Foundation.

At Pac Bell Park on June 1, thousands of people wearing red formed the shape of an AIDS ribbon, and thousands of red balloons were released, marking the 10th annual "Until There's a Cure Day."

The Until There's a Cure Foundation gives grants to programs that help prevent AIDS and to efforts to help maintain the health of HIV/AIDS patients and their families. The Diablo Valley AIDS Center will use its grant to purchase groceries, said Bob Hamilton, the center's executive director. Last year, it distributed more than 20,000 bags of food, with the aid of about 100 volunteers. Some volunteers bag the food; others deliver it once a week to people along different routes in Contra Costa County.

"We always need volunteers," said Jennifer Gowers, client and volunteer coordinator. "The numbers of people with HIV are consistently rising, and services like this are important." Volunteer drivers are needed in Richmond and Pittsburg. Drivers can split routes, alternate weekly with other drivers, or serve as substitute drivers. For information, telephone 925-686-3822 or visit www.dvac.org.

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